Shavannia Williams, President and Editor of Heels & Helmets, updates us on the success of the second annual Heels & Helmets women's conference, 2013 Ladies Training Camp, which was held in Washington DC on July 26-27. Troy Vincent was one of the impressive speakers at the conference with this year's theme, Elevate Your Game.
In just our second year, Ladies Training Camp has established the distinct reputation of providing a unique experience for women to learn, connect, and be inspired. Our goal for this conference is to gather all women, not women in a certain profession, to address issues important to women and provide professional development. Response to our conference shows that what is setting us apart is our focus on equipping women with the information and resources they need to excel, creating an environment that fosters networking and offering the opportunity for them to rejuvenate.
Conference Highlights
Ladies training camp kicked off with full team meetings. Ladies learned how to effectively brandtheir business and personal image through the social media platform LinkedIn,discover their proper pitch to cater their words and voice tone to speak todifferent audiences and how to guide their children through the college student-athleterecruiting process. There was also“girl talk” on managing family and career. During Girl Power Play!™ attendees presented projects,capabilities and needs to share assets and resources to support each other inaccomplishing their goals. We areexcited to see the support for women continue on social media with the hashtag#GirlPowerPlay.
After a day of full team coaching sessions, ladies were able to enjoya more relaxed and intimate atmosphere at LivingSocial for the second day of LadiesTraining Camp. Each attendee had the opportunity to pick three sessions thatspoke directly to her needs. In betweensessions, ladies refueled with light refreshments by Jamba Juice, visited thevarious exhibitors and experienced a personal makeover and photography session.Ladies Training Camp focused on elevating the attendees internally andexternally to help women thrive. Therelaxed and social environment fostered a strong platform for women to lettheir hair down, support one another and grow from within. Exhibitors showcased their products andservices, networked with the attendees and garnished regular consumers. Several of the women-owned businesseswere exhibiting for the first time.
Interesting topics
While Ladies Training Camp fostered wonderful speakers and coachingsessions, a couple that stood out amongst the attendees were: Managing Familyand Career, Cross Communication Training, Internal and External CorporateInterviewing, Negotiation, Elevate your Credentials for Graduate School,Millennial Power, Playing a Bigger Branding Game and the CollegeStudent-Athlete Recruiting Process. In addition to all of the other topicsdiscussed at training camp, ladies left with an in-depth knowledge on how toimprove their status in the workplace and move forward towards their goals with confidence.
Fashion Show
The premier event during ladies training camp was the 2013 LadiesTraining Camp Game Time Fashion Show. A variety of fashion forward looks to be wornin the office and on game days provided by the NFL, National BasketballAssociation (NBA), SisterGolf and Ann Taylor were showcased. In addition to the wonderful styles headlined by 2013 MissUnited States Candiace Dillard, “Throwback Cheer” comprised of alumni NFL cheerleadersand NBA dancers livened up the crowd with spirited dances and smiles. Models ages 11 to 50 joined Ms.Dillard, including Miss Maryland Nicole Butts, Miss Delaware Taylor DeMario,and Miss Teen District of Columbia Colby Muhammad. Attendees received discount shopping cards from Ann Taylorof Pentagon City, the NFL and SisterGolf. The seamless show was produced andmoderated by Laura Clark of Going Pro Entertainment.
Bullpen
At Ladies Training Camp, we partnered with Capital One Bank to aid womenon starting and growing their businesses. Three women fearlessly stepped into the “Bullpen” to pitch theirbusinesses to the judges for cash and business consulting. Lisa Williams, Principal, Cap8Doors andHardware, won the inaugural competition. She impressed the judges with her engaging delivery and understanding ofthe financial component of her business plan. Ms. Williams won $500 and financial consulting from CapitalOne, two Washington Nationals tickets, marketing consulting from SW Group,legal consulting and consideration for the National Association of InvestmentCompanies' Venture Capital Access Program (VCAP©), a collaborative venture thatprovides women and diverse entrepreneurs nationwide with access to venturecapital through accredited investors.
The 2ndAnnual Heels & Helmets Ladies Training Camp was a true success! We not only motivated women inattendance, but those who joined the conversation online. Our conference hashtag (#LTCII) trendedduring training camp in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Women and companies are noticing thevalue of our work and our unique approach to professional development forwomen.
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