The WBENC Conference is a cornerstone event for women entrepreneurs, offering a wealth of opportunities for networking, learning, and business growth. This year, Party Host Helpers attended the WBENC Conference in Denver to connect with other women owned businesses. Bridget McElvain shared her insights and experiences from the conference, highlighting its vibrant atmosphere and the powerful theme of “AMPLIFY.”

Q&A with a Regional Director of Denver, Bridget McElvain.

Q: Can you give us a brief overview of the WBENC conference and its significance for women entrepreneurs? A: I overheard several attendees describe the WBENC as THE business conference of the year to go to. Tons of top-performing companies like Toyota, Target, and so many more. Much of the focus for many companies was an opportunity to highlight their DEI incentives, which is important for some. Not only was it an incredible opportunity to connect and network, but there were tons of business classes and workshops.

Q: What inspired you to attend the WBENC conference this year? A: Renee asked me to go represent Party Host Helpers, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet people face to face (there’s no real substitute!) and see what kind of connections I could make.

Q: The theme for this year’s conference was “AMPLIFY.” How do you interpret this theme in the context of women’s entrepreneurship? A: I interpreted AMPLIFY as an opportunity to lift each other up. Especially today when women’s voices are louder than ever, there was an air of lifting each other up as women and as diverse people of color and orientations. It was a very inclusive event. I don’t believe it is common at any other business conference to dress in bright, vibrant colors by so many attendees. It definitely had Pride vibes (IMO).

Q: In what ways did the conference aim to AMPLIFY the presence and impact of women in business? A: Well, the entire conference is established to accomplish just that, and women make up an incredibly high percentage of attendees there. It was a collaborative, supportive, inclusive environment, where women ran the roost. Every company there recognized the opportunity to capitalize on the opportunity as women make up 50% of the population. The workshops and classes, lunches, everything was designed specifically for the success and amplification of women and minority voices.

Q: Can you share a memorable networking experience from the conference? A: Waiting in line for the corporate meet and greets I was able to meet several people around me – most people showed up open to chat and socialize, so it was nice to engage in light banter while we awaited the chaos inside the meet and greets. We were all guessing what the situation would be like once we got inside, talked about our companies, whether we’d been to WBENC before, the fact that it is THE business conference to go to. At my last meet and greet with Cushman & Wakefield, every woman at the table was super friendly and involved in very cool businesses, like a mobile office where she renovates vans to create an office environment on wheels. At one of my last meet and greets, another woman who was there, a petite Southeast Asian woman, was there to market her business of ADA compliance online – from courses to tutoring, etc. Her child has a disability, so this cause was very near and dear to her heart. She had a very gentle and genuine presence about her and I could see why she was sitting at the Hilton table.

Q: How did the conference facilitate networking and collaboration among attendees? A: There were SO many opportunities to network. From simply attending the workshops, classes, and lunches, to the expo floor, to the meet and greets, I’d say everything that was offered was an opportunity to network. The expo floor was more about visiting the companies you wanted to get a shoe-in with, stop by their booth and chat with them more about networking with other attendees. The meet and greets were opportunities to sit down with the people representing those companies in a more intimate setting (maybe 10 people to a table) to do your pitch, and possibly connect with someone else at the same table.

Q: Were there any workshops or educational programs at the conference that you found particularly beneficial? A: Due to scheduling constraints, I attended only the corporate meet and greets and the expo floor, as I was on a mission to speak with a specific list of companies.

Q: How do you plan to implement the insights gained from these sessions into your role at Party Host Helpers? A: Every gathering/event is an opportunity to network 🙂 You never know who you’ll meet and whether they’ll be interested in what we do and vice versa!

Q: The conference emphasizes overcoming challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Can you discuss a challenge you’ve faced and how you’ve addressed it? A: I’d say imposter syndrome is one of the most common experiences women/people in general have when they decide to go after what they really want, like starting a business. It makes you human… AND, I think it’s important to develop the skill to coach yourself through challenging mindsets and thought patterns to keep your eye on what you have accomplished in the past when you didn’t believe you could, and/or to simply recognize “I’m feeling afraid and insecure, but I also felt that the first time I swam or jumped into a pool,” etc. I think as we become adults, the thing that scare us change but we still feel that fear… The thing is to not let fear – of rejection, failure, or being judged, stop you from pursuing what you really want in life. I think it’s important to recognize, “Ok, I’m feeling afraid and insecure right now. What do I need in this moment to feel confident and capable?” Calling out what you’re feeling helps to diffuse its power over you… Having some examples of times you were afraid and did something anyway ready to call to mind when you’re feeling stuck is helpful.

Q: How does the conference contribute to creating solutions for these challenges? A: Their workshops are specifically themed and designed to help women work through common challenges like imposter syndrome or developing the perfect pitch.

Q: Diversity and inclusion are central to the WBENC’s mission. How was this reflected in the conference’s events and discussions? A: Oh, it was felt every moment of every day I was there. Like I said, from the topics the workshops were based on to the attendees and even the marketing materials for the companies were there, it was very clear and felt that diversity and inclusion were a priority. They even had a few boards set up specifically for black women to exchange their information with each other. I’m sure they had other ones too.

Q: What are some actionable steps that were discussed to promote diversity and inclusion within the supply chain? A:That’s a good question… I don’t have a direct answer, but it’s very clear companies have caught on to the opportunity to embrace DEI incentives and how it can transform their business. Not all, but most.

Q: What was your biggest takeaway from the WBENC conference? A: WBENC is THE business conference to go to and PHH should absolutely have a booth set up for next year’s!

Q: How do you see the conference’s impact extending beyond the event itself into the broader business community? A:Well, as word continues to spread about how epic it is, I think people will make a greater effort to be part of it and it will continue to grow beyond what it already has!

Q: Would you recommend the WBENC conference to other women entrepreneurs? Why or why not? A: Absolutely. You get the chance to chat with other entrepreneurs and make connections, which is very important because being an entrepreneur is a lonely journey. If you feel the support of other women going through the same thing, it makes it suck a little less and can help keep you on the journey when you feel like quitting. AND, you get the chance to have some one-on-one time with the people representing the companies.

The WBENC Conference is more than just a gathering; it’s a movement that champions the role of women in entrepreneurship. The insights shared by the Regional Director of Party Host Helpers reflect the conference’s vibrant energy and its commitment to fostering a culture of support, learning, and growth. As we look forward to future events, it’s clear that the WBENC Conference will continue to be a pivotal platform for women entrepreneurs seeking to amplify their impact and navigate the business world with confidence and camaraderie.