The Women’s Conference of Florida returns for its eighth annual event on Friday, December 13, 2024, at the Tampa Convention Center.
Since its inception, in 2015, the conference has provided a platform to empower women, across Florida, through impactful speakers, workshops and networking opportunities. This year’s event promises to inspire even more with trailblazing keynotes and festive holiday cheer.
You can find the full lineup here.
Ahead of the event, Tampa Bay Business & Wealth spoke with founder Arlene DiBenigno about what attendees can expect this year.
For those who have never been, tell us about this conference and why it was established.
The Women’s Conference of Florida was founded, in 2015, to inspire women to break down barriers and reach their full potential. It’s the only statewide platform of its kind, annually bringing together more than 2,000 attendees to address critical issues such as health, leadership, relationships and pay equity. Attendees gain insights from some of the nation’s most accomplished women and network with like-minded peers.
The event has grown over the years and attracts incredible speakers. What should people be excited about this year?
This year marks the first time the conference is happening during the holiday season, so attendees can expect a festive and uplifting atmosphere. We’re thrilled to welcome keynote speakers Jamie Kern Lima, founder of IT Cosmetics, Shellye Archambeau, Fortune 500 board member and former chief executive officer of MetricStream, and Lisa Sun, founder of GRAVITAS.
Attendees will also have the chance to explore sessions on turning expertise into consulting practices, board memberships and entrepreneurial ventures, as well as the Gallup CliftonStrengths approach.
How can attendees make the most out of their time at the conference? Any “know before you go” tips?
Arrive early to allow enough time for parking and navigating the Tampa Convention Center. The conference will feature a curated vendor marketplace with women-owned businesses like Kendra Scott, Fabletics and Cocoa Lillie, as well as book signings with Jamie Kern Lima and Lisa Sun, hosted by Oxford Exchange.
What else would you like readers to know?
The 2024 Women’s Conference of Florida will host 60 low-income, academically qualified college women, representative of Florida’s colleges and universities, to attend the conference for free, as an investment in their potential through its College Women on the Rise program. Since 2017, the College Women on the Rise program has benefited 450 college women and awarded $96,000 in educational scholarships.
This year’s conference will also serve 40 academically qualified junior and senior girls from low-income households at King High School and Hillsborough High School, through its Girl Rise program.
Additionally, the Women’s Conference of Florida will partner with the following community-focused organizations to support their missions through the 2024 event: Champions for Children, Metropolitan Ministries, The Spring of Tampa Bay, Pace Center for Girls Hillsborough, Tampa Bay Sports Commission and HeartDance Foundation.
