Washington State: INSPIRE Women's Business Conference 2025

Thurston EDC

Join us for the annual INSPIRE Women's Business Conference led by the Washington Center for Women in Business held at The Great Wolf Lodge!

Great Wolf Lodge Water Park | Grand Mound

First 100 to register will receive a special gift bag morning of event!--INSPIRE Conference History:"On May 22nd, 2025, the INSPIRE Women's Business conference has moved to the Great Wolf Lodge for more space due to the success and impact it had in 2024! We are excited to add a couple of new things to the agenda while keeping the main focus on women in business. We want all who attend to take home valuable knowledge, technical skills, new connections, and most importantly, to be INSPIRED.The WCWB aims to provide a platform for women owners across Washington to share their journeys and insights while creating a safe and empowering community that supports and mentors each other. We work hard to seek and provide skillful local speakers and highlight businesses that are leading, innovating, and impacting their communties. We seek to educate all in the art of business ownership and discuss the impacts it has on us physically and mentally.2025 gives us another opportunity to gather and learn from each other - lifting each other up while producing realistic and attainable goals. This is not about the Women's Business Center - it's about women owning businesses and working hard everyday while raising families, managing other jobs, and conistently pouring themselves out for others and their communities. United, we can make sure all can start, grow, and maintain the entrepreneur dream."Sincerely,Ashley, WCWB Program Manager--Business Nominations open till May 2nd - <a href="https://form.typeform.com/to/sgk9GsOl" title="https://form.typeform.com/to/sgk9GsOl" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://form.typeform.com/to/sgk9GsOl</a>Agenda continually being updated with more details! Register early to receive a special gift bag at the event. Event Website: https://www.wcwb.org/inspire-2025WE THANK ALL OF OUR SPONSORS FROM LAST YEAR. If you want to pay it forward to scholarship women to attend, provide giveways, be an exhibitor, purchase a reserved table, or to sponsor the event as a whole, please email Ashley at the WCWB directly: awhitley@thurstonedc.com.

Agenda

Registration Opens, name tags & gift bags, continental breakfast, networking, vendors & exhibitors, pictures with backdrop open & professional headshots open

Registration / Catered Breakfast / Networking / Vendors

Welcome address by conference organizer, Ashley Whitley, and custom presentation on WCWB. EDC Executive Director, Michael Cade, presenting on the EDC ecosystem. Words from features sponsor before we begin the day.

Welcoming Address by EDC Executive Director & WCWB Program Manager

Special speaker and inspiring presentation by Brigitte O'Michaels. Get to know Brigitte here: https://brigittemichaels.com/index

First Guest Speaker / INSPIRE Opening Speech

15 Minute Transition / Networking / Vendors

Breakout 1: "Funding Your Business Needs with SBA Programs", Breakout 2: "Mise en Place - Tales of a Chef in Business", Breakout 3: "Growing Your Business in a Digital Economy"

Business Knowledge Breakouts (3)

Harnessing 20 years of consumer expertise to bridge the gap between market needs and innovative solutions. Supply chain and marketing strategist with a passion for rural economic development. Spearheading the development of the GoodRoots Locker Network, a groundbreaking system that provides 24/7 access to fresh, locally produced foods through climate controlled lockers. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER 

Six WCWB-partnered businesses of different industries will be featured as up-and-coming new woman-owned ventures in Washington state. This will be a mix of video and podium presentations. 

"Visionaries Unveiled" - Featured New Businesses (6)

Small Business Awards submissions here: https://form.typeform.com/to/sgk9GsOl  (open till April 15th) -- 3 categories: LEADERSHIP, COMMUNITY IMPACT, & INNOVATION. Awards created and presented by Lacey MakerSpace. Winners announced at conference when they accept the award.

Catered Lunch / Small Business Awards (3) / Networking

*NEW* - Healthcare panel will be an open discussion: practice ownership, healthcare trends regarding women's health, conversation on mental health, and overall leadership.

Women's Healthcare Panel Discussion

Women's Healthcare Panelists Continued

Breakout 1: "Take Charge of Your Future: Explore Entrepreneurial Career Options", Breakout 2: "Financial Wellbeing & Relationship with Money", Breakout 3: "The Power of Community Development"

Career Development Breakouts (3)

Education equality advocate, T1D warrior, first-generation Eritrean-American, and public health professional, 23-year-old Hermona Girmay is a woman with a mission. Crowned Miss Washington 2024 on July 6, 2024 she is honored to represent her home state as a titleholder in the Miss America Opportunity. Hermona is a 2023 Cum Laude and Departmental Honors Graduate of the University of Washington, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Public Health-Global Health and completed a Minor in Bioethics.

Special Guest, Miss Washington & Main Giveaway

"Everyday is an opportunity to improve, both professionally and personally. Being open to feedback, embracing challenges and honest work on our skills WILL result in growth!" - Tammy

Washington State: INSPIRE Women's Business Conference 2025

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Washington State: INSPIRE Women's Business Conference 2025

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