The Deeper Meaning and Purpose of the NJ Conference for Women
The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Alliance is excited to present the annual NJ Conference for Women on Friday, October 11 from 7:30 am – 3 pm at the Hyatt Regency Princeton in Carnegie Center. As of this writing, more than 600 professional women have registered for a day of networking, learning, and inspiration.
Susan Swatski, Partner at Hill Wallack LLP, has been involved with the conference committee for about 12 years and is chairing the event for the fourth time. We spoke with Susan to provide an in-depth understanding of the purpose and goals of the conference and the thought process that goes into choosing speakers and programming.
Programming with Purpose
“We look for speakers who will have a broad base of appeal across age groups and industries,” Susan said. “We think about common challenges faced by women and what types of speakers can speak to these issues and help women overcome them. We also want to inspire networking and collaboration between sessions so conversations continue after the conference.”
While career success is always a central theme at the NJ Conference for Women, attendees can expect to hear messages that touch many areas of life, from leadership development, to AI and technology, to healthy living.
“When women network with other women, we don’t just talk business,” Susan said. “We talk about our families, our children, our health, and different activities outside of work. That’s part of building a relationship, but it also comes back to redefining success. It’s the confluence of achieving success in business and living well. Women need and deserve both.”
Whether you’re a CEO of a global corporation, a small business owner, or a recent graduate, people from all walks of life are welcome, supported, and appreciated. For example, a sponsor or exhibitor that receives multiple tickets will often bring a senior executive, a midmarket manager, and an entry-level associate. All can take advantage of opportunities to learn and network, not only with new connections, but at their own table.
“People at any stage of their career will find value at this conference,” Susan said. “We have workshops on leadership, business trends and strategies, and upward mobility through self-evaluation and reflection. There are also speakers with messages about personal and professional growth that apply to all audiences.”
Valerie Bertinelli’s Journey to Choosing Happiness
This year, the event committee recognized a clear trend – everyone is talking about stress in their lives. Then they saw Valerie Bertinelli discussing her New York Times bestseller, “Indulge.” Valerie openly shared her experiences and emotions tied to her battle with the scale, and her journey that led her to make happiness a choice.
in·dulge: to allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of.
“Valerie Bertinelli’s story captures the vibe of the conference,” Susan said. “Each individual’s choices about reducing stress and creating nurturing, productive environments are very personal, and it takes a lot of work to get there. We were very intentional about making health and wellness a core focus of our programming this year and couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Valerie to the conference.”
Opening Keynote and Breakouts
The NJ Conference for Women features some of the most dynamic, knowledgeable women in New Jersey as speakers. Each will dive into a highly relevant topic and provide actionable insights and inspiration that women can apply to their life and/or career.
Betsy Allen Manning, Internationally Recognized Speaker & Company Culture Expert, Destination Workplace™
Three Keys to Leading a Multigenerational Workforce
Krishna Powell, HR 4 Your Small Biz, “The Multi-Gen Leader”
AI and Shaping the Business Landscape with Microsoft Copilot
Cora Park, Diamon Business Communications
Harnessing the Power Within: The Successful Woman’s Guide to Wholeness
Gia Lacqua, elivate
Women Business Ownership and Trends in 2024
Lisa Linkowsky, Milestone Franchising
Career Pathing & Progression for Women: Strategies for Advancement, Equity, and Growth
Jennifer Willey, Wet Cement
Lions, Tigers & Clowns, Oh My! Improve Your Work-Life Balance and Manage the Three Rings
Judy Sailer, Primepoint
F**k Menopause: Conquering Gut Health, Weight Gain & Menopause Transitions with Grace
Philippa Bebbington, MS, RD, Nourish By Phil, LLC
Final Thoughts
“Through the NJ Conference for Women, the Women in Business Alliance is truly committed to helping women lift each other up,” Susan said. “Attendees speak openly from the heart and talk about their personal experiences when responding to speakers. I appreciate the honesty and trust they have, knowing they’re in a nurturing, accepting environment. I’m always excited to attend and excited when I leave because everyone looks for opportunities to help each other and promote each other.”
Year after year, event organizers see feedback from attendees who are implementing new strategies in the workplace or individually in their own career. They talk about the connections they’ve made and the relationships they’re building. We encourage everyone to share these stories and give and receive encouragement.
“It’s all about having tangible takeaways,” Susan said. “It’s about sitting down after the event and creating time for self-reflection. We know attendees give meaningful thought to everything from mentoring and career growth to their resume and LinkedIn profile. It’s like a wonderful, little seed that grows into a strong, beautiful tree. The NJ Conference for Women is your annual opportunity to surround yourself with positivity and inspiration to help you reach your goals.”
Learn more about the NJ Conference for Women on October 11 and register today!