Leesburg, Virginia — March 17, 2016 — A decade ago, a small group of collision professionals invited women to come together and further opportunities for their peers in the industry. They would go on to found the Women’s Industry Network (WIN). Today the organization is gearing up for its 10th anniversary conference, slated for May 2 to 4 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Downtown Hilton will serve as the conference venue.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Power of the Past-Force of the Future.”
“As I reflect on my tenure with the WIN from that first conference in Phoenix, to our now 500-plus member organization, I am inspired by our forward movement, what I have learned, and those that have I met who have helped me professionally in my career,” says Wendy Rogers, formerly of State Farm and co-chair of the WIN Conference Planning Committee. “I am thrilled to have shared in our 10 years of successes and look forward to what the future brings!”
The conference program is complete with diverse offering of messages and speakers for 2016. Olympian Shannon Miller will serve as the featured keynote, speaking on “The Gold Medal Mindset.”
“I was there to see her claim the gold medal and now we will hear about her incredible journey to that professional accomplishment,” says Yolanda Sandor of BASF and Co-Chair of the Conference Planning Committee.
Additional guest speakers will include David Luehr, Elite Body Solutions; Laurie Altman, VP at 3M; Susan Lombardo, Sr. VP Vehicle Acquisitions for Enterprise Holdings; Collette Bruce, Owner of Team Safety; Karen Fierst, Principal of KarenOr Consultants; Jeff Peevy, President of Automotive Management Institute (AMI), Kristen Felder of Engage Target Media and Mark Claypool, Chairman and CEO of Optima Automotive.
“Our speaker committee has been tireless in our efforts to find high energy, professional presenters covering diverse and relevant topics,” says Sandor. In addition to the outstanding professional development that will be presented, attendees will also have an opportunity to participate in the annual WIN Scholarship Walk that benefits the WIN Scholarship Fund and hear from some of WIN’s founding members during a Q&A panel. The WIN Gala and Most Influential Women Reception will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 to celebrate past recipients as well as the 2016 Most Influential Women Award Recipient, Michelle Sullivan, Regional Vice President of FinishMaster.
“2016 marks the 10th anniversary of WIN as an organization engaging women in the collision industry. As WIN comes together for the Power of the Past-Force of the Future Educational Conference, once again the WIN volunteers have raised the bar of excellence with an outstanding line-up of speakers, networking that reaches within all segments of our industry; and moments to recognize WIN’s founders and WIN’s future,” says Denise Caspersen of National Autobody Parts Warehouse. Caspersen also serves as WIN’s Chair.
Registration for the conference is now open. Members registering before April 1 will receive a discounted rate of $400. For member registration after April 1, the rate is $450. Non-members may attend at a rate of $650 and attendance for the Most Influential Women Reception is $75 per person.
For more information or to register, please visit womensindustrynetwork.com.
