The 2011 National everywoman Conference took place on Tuesday, 1 November at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London and was a great success.

Thinking, Insight and Networking

The focus of the day was helping attendees inject authenticity, integrity and their own spirit into their business. It provided fresh thinking, market insight and the opportunity to meet and network with new contacts.

Business Learning Experiences

Following a welcome speech form everywoman co-founders Karen Gill MBE and Maxine Benson MBE, delegates were introduced to keynote speaker Maria Kempinska MBE, founder of Jongleurs. Maria engaged the audience with her amazing success story – as she explained how a bicycle provided the collateral for her to finance her venture, which is now the UK’s most successful comedy club chain. She also passed on some learning experiences and top tips she has picked up from growing her business.

Business Strengths Discussion

After a brief refreshment break, where attendees had the opportunity to not only network with each other but to browse the numerous exhibition stands, the day carried on with an absorbing panel discussion featuring Emma Elston, Trish Halpin, Anita Lowe and Vanita Parti – their focus for debate was ‘playing to your strengths and standing out from the crowd’ – a mindset that would be complimented right throughout the day.

Business Masterclasses

After a networking lunch, delegates attended two masterclass sessions – there were four to choose from: Jack Milner discussed creating the perfect pitch to win business (View 'The Art of Pitching' - a supporting downloadable PDF); Amanda Phillips focused on maximising digital presence and understanding digital customers; Katy Howell looked at the role of social media to build brand identity and client engagement; while Nina Grunfeld explored limiting beliefs and unlocking potential, a topic she has worked on in great detail, and focused on in the everywomanNetwork Challenges: It’s All About the Confidence - exclusive online development tools and resources for everywomanNetwork members.

The Conference’s final session saw Annie Ashdown from The Self Confidence Centre delivering a motivational presentation to help understand the role of confidence and injecting your own spirit into your business to achieve success.

The day finished with some drinks – the perfect opportunity for attendees to network once more, and discuss the insight and inspirational messages from the day...and maybe even put some of their learnings into practice!

BLOG: Read Meredith Berman's blog - Anything is Possible at This Year's National everywoman Conference >>