Women in the Home Industries (WithIt) names performance consultant and author Jay Forte as its keynote speaker for the organization’s annual professional conference entitled “Women Doing Business: Thought Leaders, Creative Innovators and Influencers,” held August 11 – 13 at the Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord, in North Carolina.
Forte, a former financial executive and educator turned performance consultant, speaker and author, has over 20 years experience teaching adults work performance skills needed to improve the bottom line in both work and life. He will address evolutionary changes in business and industry which affect the workplace and job performance with his presentation “Right Brain, Right Time.”
“Today, an engage-and-inspire approach is required, one more core to fundamental feminine thinking,” said Forte. “This focus on right brain thinking – connection, communication, consensus and community – is the key to activating and engaging today’s employees.”
The balance of the two-day agenda will focus on issues and opportunities relevant to the home furnishings industry. Following Forte’s keynote address, Broyhill president and industry veteran Jeff Cook presents, “Managing When the Floor is Moving Under You,” in which he offers creative solutions to businesses in flux.
Among the breakout sessions is Beth Sweetman, Furniture Brands International senior vp of human resources, who delivers “The Art of Negotiating.” Social media strategy and benefits will be reviewed by Leslie Carothers, principal, The Kaleidoscope Partnership, and Julia Rosien, social media manager for bedding specialist Natura World.
Introduced at last year’s event and back by popular demand are Round Table Discussions, featuring more industry experts acting as group discussion moderators.
“For the lowest conference rates available, the WithIt Professional Conference is an investment in future success that companies can’t actually afford to miss,” said Liz O’Brien, 2009 WithIt president. “Each attendee will have exposure to the highest caliber of content, ideas and action plans which they can return to their office with.”
“Outside of our industry tradeshows, there are few opportunities to network at the level WithIt’s annual conference provides,” O’Brien added. “Our roster of attendees hail from the manufacturing, retailing and interior design areas, so potential collaborators and vendor resources are all represented.”
Wrapping up the 2009 conference is Leslie Haskin, a former insurance industry executive who survived the 9-11 attack on the Twin Towers. Haskins gave last year’s keynote address and returns to inspire the WithIt audience with her story of survival and what comes next.
WithIt’s annual professional conference is the top-ranked benefit among its members. Registration is open to all at www.withit.org.
WithIt is the premiere international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the home industries. Sara Lyke is executive director and may be reached at 336-880-2188, or, director@withit.org.