MILAN — Following the success of its first gathering last year in Maastricht, Women in Exhibitions will kick off its second event Nov. 18-19 at Chiostri di San Barnaba, Milan. The summit was created to empower and advance women professionals in the exhibitions and events industry through its discussions and networking.
The first event clearly accomplished that mission, because this year’s event is expected to be 50% bigger, according to Women in Exhibitions Founder Oana Cipca. “We’re anticipating over 150 delegates from around the globe, compared to around 100 last year.”
She attributes the increased attendance to “the industry’s recognition of the importance of fostering diversity and supporting women in leadership roles. We’ve made sure to keep the set-up we had last year and the multiple networking opportunities, and we once again have a good mix of organizers, suppliers and venues.”
Sessions will range from a talk by Michèle Tiley-Hill, Chief Financial Officer at RX, on how she dealt with prejudice to breakouts on the topics women want to hear, from how to have difficult discussions to one entitled “Period Pains & Menopause.” A fireside chat will explore how to break the glass ceiling.
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The show has also added a hosted attendee component this year by sponsors Informa and ExCeL London. “This will allow ‘rising stars’ to join the summit with their expenses covered,” Cipca said. “In this way, we can have a wonderful mix of people from our community come to Milan and celebrate.”
Women in Exhibitions, which Cipca launched in 2018, now has seven chapters (an Italian chapter will launch at the event) and has grown to more than 4,000, both followers and members, representing a host of countries. “This global diversity is one of our greatest strengths,” Cipca said. “It allows us to bring together a wide range of perspectives and experiences from different parts of the exhibition industry. It’s inspiring to see how our members are impacting the industry worldwide.
“Bringing women together in the exhibition industry is crucial because it creates a space for mutual support, learning and collaboration. The industry has historically been male-dominated at the top, and by fostering these connections, we’re able to uplift each other, share strategies for overcoming common challenges, and advocate for greater gender equality. The rewards are immense — both personally and professionally — as we build a stronger, more inclusive industry where women can thrive and lead.”
Reach Oana Cipca at info@womeninexhibitions.com
