There was a drone flying in the ballroom and conference rooms throughout the event. A keynote address on why you need to start a podcast. A breakout session on how to use AI. And the mTap app, which was helping eventgoers seamlessly connect on their phones.
It would be easy if you confused the annual Women Business Leaders Forum for a new-age tech event. N.J. Business & Industry Association CEO Michele Siekerka may be happy if you did.
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“We proudly described ourselves as the ‘Innovation Association,’” she told BINJE in a crowded ballroom. “We call the conference room in our building, the Innovation Zone, because that’s what we want to bring to the New Jersey business community.
“We always want to be two steps ahead of technology on behalf of the businesses we serve and the business leaders who lead those companies.”
The two-day event, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Franklin, drew more than 500 attendees on the opening day.
Siekerka called it a continuation of the growth of an event that has made BIA a leader in Women in Business issues.
“When we started 11 years ago, we had only 150 people attend – but we just knew it was the start of something big,” she said. “Look at it now. This is our 11th year and it’s a packed, so you know we’re doing it right.”
Staying a step ahead on technology is important. But it’s just one part of the success of the event.
Siekerka said the event is aimed at serving women at all stages of their leadership journey.
“You’ll see young newcomers mixing with mid-career women and veterans who have seen it all,” she said. “That mix makes it work.
“People may think this is just about the veterans teaching the newcomers, but I’ve seen panels where the next generation are teaching today’s leaders. I’m incredibly proud of that.”
The schedule shows the diversity of offerings.
The main stage featured a talk on starting a podcast, a fireside chat with Keli Zinn, the new athletic director at Rutgers, and a C-Suite discussion detailing the skills that matter most to today’s CEOs.
Breakout sessions included discussions on using AI, mastering the art of networking, empowering your financial future, learning to be a mentor, getting a seat on a board, navigating career transitions and understanding inter-generational communication.
The event continues this morning with additional breakout sessions, including one that attempted to answer the timeless: Can We Have it All?
