2026 Women's Summit

8:30 am - Registration Open Coffee available

9:15 - 10:30 am Speak Like a Leader, Lead Like a Visionary: How to Captivate, Communicate, and Be Known for What Matters Most
Carmen Ohling

In a noisy, fast-moving world, your voice is your greatest advantage. This presentation teaches you how to develop thought leadership, communicate a resonant vision, and lead with presence, not performance. Learn to inspire, influence, and be known for what truly matters by speaking with clarity, credibility, and intention in any setting, so that your message moves people, your leadership leaves a mark, and your impact lasts long after you’ve stepped away.

• Learn how to speak with more confidence and clarity, whether you're leading a meeting or presenting on stage.
• Understand what it really means to be a thought leader, and how to start building that reputation now.
• Get practical tools to communicate your vision in a way that inspires people and gets them on board.

10:30 – 10:45 am  Networking Break

10:45 am - 11:45 am The Perception Playbook: The Leader’s Blueprint for Trust, Influence, and Growth 
Shira Abel

Every decision, whether to join, renew, volunteer, or partner, starts with perception. Yet many associations leave perception unmanaged, costing them members, engagement, and influence. In this energizing keynote, Shira Abel shares The Perception Playbook™, a practical framework for shaping how your association is seen. Attendees will learn how to build trust faster with members, strengthen alignment across boards and staff, and create a reputation that attracts sponsors, partners, and talent. Participants leave with tools they can use immediately to influence outcomes that matter most to associations.

• Understand how perception drives member, sponsor, and volunteer decisions.
• Gain practical strategies to build trust and credibility faster.
• Apply The Perception Playbook™ to strengthen alignment across boards, staff, and members.

11:45 –12:30 pm    Networking Lunch

12:30 – 1:00 pm Table Topics - Open Discussion

• A Career lesson you learned the hard way – share a pivotal career lesson that came through experience – often through challenges, missteps, or unexpected outcomes
• A risk you took that paid off – share a moment when stepping outside your comfort zone let to growth, opportunity, or success
• Advice you would give your younger – reflect on the guidance, perspective, or encouragement you wish you had earlier in your career.
• A professional win you re proud of – discuss a meaningful accomplishment big or small that reflects growth, perseverance, or impact.
• What motivates you to stay in the association industry – discuss the purpose, passion and people that keep you engaged in the association work

1:00 – 2:15 pm Why Not Me? Panel Discussion
Moderator Laura Caputo, JD, AIMP

Entrepreneurship is not just for Silicon Valley. It is thriving in the association space too. This interactive panel will feature 2 to 3 women who began their careers as association executives and went on to build businesses and tools that now serve the industry. Attendees will hear candid stories of risk taking, resilience, and lessons learned, as well as each panelist sharing the role AI tools played in launching or running their ventures. Participants will leave inspired to ask themselves, “Why not me?” and equipped with fresh ideas for turning industry gaps into innovative solutions.

• Discover how former association executives identified industry challenges and transformed them into successful entrepreneurial ventures.
• Learn practical ways AI tools can support entrepreneurs, from launching a business to streamlining everyday operations.
• Gain inspiration and strategies to shift from problem-spotter to problem-solver, leaving with the confidence to ask, “Why not me?”

2:15 – 2:30 pm   Networking Break

2:30 - 3:30 pm   Chameleons & Peacocks: How to Stand Out at Work
Barb Monson

Being visible at work isn't about becoming louder or more polished. It's about knowing when to blend in, when to stand out, and how to communicate your unique value in both moments. This session addresses a common challenge for association professionals: how to gain visibility without feeling "showy." Walk away with a practical framework to create a workplace visibility strategy that leads to real influence and opportunity.

• Learn when to blend in vs. when to stand out, and how to adapt each one to your style
• Learn how to position yourself for opportunity based on your value
• Learn how to navigate the connections that drive advancement

3:30 pm  Adjourn

Hotel Indigo, Tallahassee
826 W Gaines St. Tallahassee, FL 32304

Room Rate: $129

Cutoff Date: March 6, 2026

Make Your Reservation at Hotel Indigo.com or call (850) 210-0008

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