2017 Business Women's Forum (BWF) On October 20th To Offer Six Professional Development Workshops

The 2017 Business Women’s Forum (BWF), Connecticut’s longest running leadership conference, will feature Randi Zuckerberg, CEO of Zuckerberg Media and former Facebook spokesperson, and Tami Evans, humorous motivational speaker and author of “Half Full of It: Activating Optimism and Other Hard Core Soft Skills”, during its 35th annual event on Friday, October 20, 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

In addition to the keynote speakers, six diverse and empowering workshops will be presented. The more than 500 attendees will be able to attend two of the six workshops to bring new knowledge and expertise back to their workplace and to network with workshop presenters. Topics include: “Tap Into Your Most Creative, Competent and Charismatic Self”, “Optimize Your Office: Go From Piles to Productivity!”, “Straight to the Summit: How to Get Your Team To the Top”, “Empowered Communication: Own Your Story”, “Communication, Leadership, and Conflict Resolution Through the Experience of Improvised Comedy”, plus a “Power Networking Hour”.

Catherine Ewing, LCSW, MDiv, presenter of the “Tap Into Your Most Creative, Competent and Charismatic Self” workshop is Coach, Mentor, and Psychotherapist and Certified Emotional Freedom Technique and Neurokinesis Practitioner. She has been a mind/body/spirit connection student for over 25 years, is a co-author of the book “Incredible Life.”

During her interactive BWF workshop, Ewing will guide participants to understand ‘how’ and ‘why’ they are stuck in behavioral patterns that are not serving them well. She will provide instruction on a simple, easy-to-use techniques to quiet the mind, calm the body, disengage the fight or flight response, and master the mindset to show up to life as a poised, creative, and empowered self.

Lisa S. Griffith, Certified Professional Organizer® and owner of The Organized Way, will present: “Optimize Your Office: Go From Piles to Productivity!” Griffith holds a certificate in Time Management and Productivity from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and New England chapter. She began her career as a teacher, director, and administrator of performing arts in schools, churches, and community organizations.

Griffith will provide insights into the “5 D’s for Quick Decision Making” a system designed to help participants make easy and fast decisions about what to do with piles of information they throw away daily. Get your business or home office organized for more time and productivity by getting a work space under control, reclaiming a desktop, countertop, filing cabinet, dining room table, office floor, etc.

Anne Parmenter, a native of the UK, will present the workshop titled: “Straight to the Summit: How to Get Your Team to the Top”. An avid worldwide traveler for rock climbing and mountaineering, Parmenter has climbed Aconcagua in Argentina twice, Denali, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo, Equador, Mount Blanc French Alps, Ama Dablam Himalaya and two expeditions to Mount Everest in 2004 and successfully summiting it in 2006, plus Mt Rainier Liberty Ridge in 2013. Currently, she is the head field hockey and assistant lacrosse coach at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., Parmenter has completed 13 marathons; London, New York, Hartford trail marathons; four Boston marathons with her last in 2014 inspired to run following the bombings in 2013.

During her BWF workshop, Parmenter will discuss the importance of group dynamics, team building and goal setting in the workplace. She will help participants understand who they are managing, and how to create a more productive and successful work environment so an entire team can reach the top together.

Kara Sundlun, presenter of the “Empowered Communication: Own Your Story” workshop, is an Emmy Award winning news anchor and co-host of the Better Connecticut talk show on WFSB-TV. Sundlun has covered some of the biggest news stories of our time, from the War in Iraq to reporting live from the terror attacks on 9-11 to breaking the horrific news of the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. During her BWF workshop, Sundlun will show participants how to access their inner power voice so they can communicate more effectively in business and in life in general. She will provide practical tips for participants to use immediately to achieve more success at work and in personal relationships.

Sea Tea Improv, Hartford’s professional comedy company that performs and teaches improv, sketch, and stand-up comedy, will host the workshop titled “Communication, Leadership, and Conflict Resolution Through the Experience of Improvised Comedy”. The group’s female performers and instructors have trained at the country’s premier comedy schools, including the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, ImprovBoston and more. With corporate clients ESPN, LEGO, and Comcast they have performed shows and classes for thousands since 2009. They currently own and operate Connecticut’s only improv-dedicated space, the Sea Tea Comedy Theater.

During their BWF workshop, Sea Tea Improv's most experienced instructors and leaders will help participants enhance their leadership skills through applying the principles that make performers of this adaptive art form among of the best business leaders.

New for 2017 is a chance for attendees to connect one on one in the “Power Networking Hour” workshop. Create new business relationships and potentially generate business leads. Attendees are advised to bring many business cards and be ready to provide their 30-second ‘elevator description’ of their business to other conference attendees.

The 2017 Business Women’s Forum (BWF) is being presented by Wells Fargo. The BWF’s Star Partner is Post University, and Forum Partners are Barker Specialty Companies; Corporate Display Specialties (CDS); Marigot Bay Resorts; MacDermid Performance Solutions; PowerStation Events; Onyx II Fine Jewelers; and the Republican-American.

Workshop hosts of the 2017 BWF are Carmody Torrance Sandak Hennessey LLP; Children’s Village; Employers Reference Source (ERS); Diagnostic Radiology Associates; Employers Reference Source; Michaels Jewelers; Saint Mary’s Hospital; and Thomaston Savings Bank.

The BWF, a program of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is a thriving organization led by female executives dedicated to the professional and personal growth of working women. The mission of the non-profit BWF is to raise scholarship funds for female Post University students pursuing a degree in business, and over the past 34 years, in excess of $190,000 in scholarships has been granted.

The $195/person admission price to the 2017 BWF includes a highly-informative and exciting day of dynamic and accomplished speakers, breakfast, lunch, professional training workshops, networking opportunities and a high-energy closing reception featuring door and raffle prizes, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages.

To learn more, and to register for the 2017 BWF, visit www.2017bwf.com, or call the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation at 203-757-0701.