Photo Gallery: First-Ever Women's Conference a Success

This year's first-ever Women's Conference featured an afternoon full of girl power, energy, fruit and cheese, wine, a comedian, women's panel, advice for women in the work force, a marketplace and plenty of visiting.

The event took place Thursday, March 31 from about 12:30-5:00 p.m at the Eagan Community Center. The Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the event and has already decided to make it an annual conference. Next year's date has already been set: March 1, 2012.

"We knew there was a need for this south of the river," Cindy Haas said, who was chair of the Women's Conference.

Keynote speaker Julie Gilbert, CEO of WOLF Means Business, spoke about being misunderstood in the corporate setting and talked about how women are "fortunately" wired differently than men.

Next, a Women's panel, which consisted of five very accomplished women, discussed leadership, mentors, volunteering, budgeting and provided advice on what they've learned so far in their career.

Lastly, keynote speaker Mary Rowles, a comedian, dazzled the 200 guests with her many jokes and contagious sense of humor.