International Business Women’s Conference, Belfast 13 May

About IBWC 2014

As the world’s economy climbs back to recovery, it has never been more important for women business leaders to come to the fore. Women in Business Northern Ireland (WIBNI) are excited to be hosting the International Business Women’s Conference (IBWC 2014) – Creating a New Economy and invites you to play your part.

We invite delegates both male and female from across the globe to join with us in Belfast to showcase inspirational role models who change the face of business globally. IBWC 2014 is focused on the belief that when men and women work together to harness their full potential we can create a vibrant, diverse and sustainable economy, providing opportunity and growth for all.

In doing this we will address our core themes of ambition, diversity, leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, empowerment and potential.

Why Attend IBWC 2014? – Consider the opportunity of IBWC 2014 not simply as ‘time out of the office’ but time invested in your business and yourself.

We invite Network members, Business leaders (private and public), government representatives, policy makers, business owners (both large and small), entrepreneurs , middle/senior managers, business organizations (Male & female based) and academia to:

• Be inspired by world class speakers and role models
• Learn from peers and speakers through sharing of best practice, experience and exploring global issues to stimulate creativity and growth
• Build international networks and explore routes to market for business and personal development
• Create synergies, build confidence and skills to discover new ways to do business both locally and globally

Network, engage and share voices on business and global issues through interactive technology and contribute to the development of a global statement on female entrepreneurship
Experience Northern Ireland’s richness in business potential, success, talent, creativity, and diversity.

Why Visit Belfast? – Find out more about Belfast, Northern Ireland

Our Aims for IBWC 2014

Women in Business NI invite you to join forward thinking business women & men and play your part in Creating a New Economy as we aim to:

• Equip and inspire delegates (male & female) to contribute to their economy and increase business growth potential on a global scale
• Explore and share how inclusive business is the future
• Provide opportunities for partnerships, routes to market, mentoring and export potential for SMEs on a global scale
• Promote Northern Ireland and Ireland as an entrepreneurial location for business opportunity and investment
• Promote diversity and collaboration in business
• Build the capacity of SMEs and business women to compete globally through developing skills and knowledge and overcome challenges
• Facilitate networking opportunities and help businesses access international markets
• Showcase the impact that global women have had on their own economy

Programme Updated – View Business Session Programme & Speakers

Download our IBWC 2014 Brochure -Creating a New Economy

 
Some key players from within the NI private sector have already shown their commitment to supporting Women in Business’ 3030 Vision, pictured helping Roseann Kelly Chief Executive of Women in Business NI launch the initiative are: (L-R): Paul Terrington, Regional Chairman, PwC, Charlotte Elliott, Senior Manager, People, Asda and Lynsey Kernohan, Business Women Can Ambassador for Ulster Bank
Photo by Aaron McCracken/Harrisons

The first International Business Women’s Conference – IBWC 2014 – in Northern Ireland, Women in Business NI (WIBNI) are calling upon top players in the private sector to sign up to ‘30:30 Vision’, an initiative aimed at driving gender diversity at leadership level in business here.

It is the aim of Women in Business NI that by the time their upcoming conference opens in Belfast on 13th May 2014, at least 30 of Northern Ireland’s top 100 businesses will have signed up to this commitment. The Conference theme is ‘Creating a New Economy’ and among a variety of topics under discussion, the business and economic case for gender diversity will feature.

In pledging their commitment to the 30:30 Vision, companies will be encouraged to consider how they can develop initiatives to support and promote a more diverse workplace.

Speaking about the challenge, Roseann Kelly, Chief Executive, WIBNI said,

“There is a global body of evidence to prove that companies and economies will be more competitive and successful if they empower individuals with the best talent; both male and female. Evidence shows that creating a balanced workforce aids innovation and increases the representation of consumers in employee teams, resulting in improved product design and development.

“Across a number of studies, the end result is shown to be greater productivity, improving companies’ operational performance by between 20 and 35%. Gender diversity in business is therefore not only the right thing to do; it makes good business sense for all. That said, women remain the most under-represented group in enterprise in Northern Ireland. Indeed, across Northern Ireland’s top 100 companies, only five are led by females, whereas we believe that figure should be at least 30%.”

Through its 30:30 Vision, WIBNI seeks to secure a minimum of 30% of Northern Ireland’s top 100 companies signing up to show their commitment to supporting and promoting the diversity agenda. Some of the leading representatives from within Northern Ireland’s business sector have already pledged their support, including Asda, PwC, Ulster Bank and Liberty IT.

Kate Marshall, Chair, Women in Business NI added;

“At a time when we are trying to give the NI economy a competitive edge, unlike many other economic levers unlocking the economic potential of gender diversity is entirely within our control. It would therefore be a missed economic opportunity if we were to ignore this challenge and WIBNI believe it is the collective responsibility of business leaders to harness the power of a more gender diverse workplace for all our benefit.

“While we are starting with this initial commitment, long term, we hope to see all of Northern Ireland’s Top 100 companies creating strategies and policies that proactively focus on creating opportunities for talented women to progress to CEO, Senior Management positions and Boards by 2017. As such, we believe 30:30 can help unlock Northern Ireland’s full potential and create an economic ripple effect, driving growth at home and beyond.”

All businesses signing up to Women in Business NI’s 30:30 Vision within the next 30 days will be announced to an international audience in Belfast at IBWC 2014 next month. More details about the initiative and conference can be found at www.ibwc2014.com

IBWC 2014 is supported by Visit Belfast, Invest Northern Ireland, Office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister, Department for Employment and Learning, Belfast City Council, Ulster Bank, NYSE Euronext, Queen’s University Belfast, Equality Commission NI, Enterprise Ireland.

TRAVEL CONFERENCE PACKAGES: To ensure you get the best value for YOU and YOUR Business we have updated our conference packages. Our flexible and tailored packages will ensure you find the best investment for your time and budget. Choose from the Full conference package or the Tuesday or Wednesday inclusive packages or simply select to attend on one or two of the business days only.

Download IBWC Conference Packages (pdf)