It's 2018, and we wanted to share one key lesson we learned about starting a company: Network! Yes, sometimes networking sucks and it's hard to talk about yourself to strangers, but is an important part of any starting something good.
So we decided to create an epic list of conferences to help you get started. We have separated the list into two categories: beauty and business, and all support women in business.
Going to a conference is a great way to get connected whether you are looking for potential partners or some inspiration for your next move. So check out our list, pack your bag, grab a Pocket Palette, and you’re good to go!
Beauty
World Beauty Innovation Summit 2018
February 4-6, 2018 | Miami Beach, FL
The World Beauty Innovation Summit 2018 is a conference dedicated to cosmetics and personal care topics including new product development, front-end innovation, social media and web communities, high-growth markets, customer loyalty and innovation in new markets through external partnerships.
The World Beauty Innovation Summit 2018 brings together senior executives from the cosmetics and personal care industry with responsibilities in Marketing & Branding, Innovation, Business Development, Social Media and R&D New Product Development.
Cost: given upon inquiry
innoCos Digital & #Beauty20 awards 2018
February 7, 2018 | Miami Beach, FL
innoCos Digital & #Beauty20 awards 2018 is a conference dedicated to cosmetics and personal care topics including new product development, front-end innovation, social media and web communities, high-growth markets, customer loyalty and innovation in new markets through external partnerships.
innoCos Digital & #Beauty20 awards 2018 brings together senior executives from the cosmetics and personal care industry with responsibilities in Marketing & Branding, Innovation, Business Development, Social Media and R&D New Product Development.
Cost: $295 - $2995
Fashion & Beauty Expo: FashionHub
February 10, 2018 | New York, NY
FashionHub in NYC is during Fashion Week, Feb 10th. Join us to discover and buy the latest new products from fashion brands and beauty brands. Network with the movers and shakers who make New York a Fashion Hub and sit in on presentations led by experts in the space. Help the cause of combating human trafficking; enjoy exclusive discounts.
Cost: given upon inquiry
SIMPLY NYC Fashion & Beauty Conference 2018 Powered By NYLON
February 10, 2018 | New York, NY
Love fashion and beauty and want to learn the tips, tricks, and how-to's? Aspiring to be a blogger, stylist, entrepreneur, fashion designer, or editor? Already work in the industry and trying to grow your business and network? Guess what...if you answered YES to any of these questions, this conference was built for you!
SIMPLY NYC is a place to learn, network and get inspired as you enjoy a day full of panels and breakout sessions presented by the influencers who are making major waves in the worlds of fashion, beauty, blogging and tech. Cocktails, pampering, meet & greets and photo booth fun are always right around the corner, at the signature Brand Experience!
Cost: $50 - $500
April 28-30, 2018 | Chicago, IL
America's Beauty Show 2018 is an international exhibition dedicated to the newest products, education, distributors, techniques and innovations in the beauty salon, including beauty and talent, fashion and performance, cosmetics, hair styling, nail handling techniques and more.
Cost: $35-115
November 10-11, 2018 | Los Angeles, CA
The industry in southern California is as diverse as the landscape itself. From the red carpet, celebrity and FX work in Tinsel Town to weddings on the beach in Orange County, this is truly a market for artists in every area of the industry. The Makeup Show LA is a 2-day event you won’t want to miss
Learn new skills that will motivate you in your career and receive hands-on training by the artists that work with your favorite brands and celebrities. Shop the best products for your kit at pro-discounted prices while surrounding yourself with talented and inspiring professionals.
Be part of the community and experience the magic that is The Makeup Show. Walk in with an empty canvas and leave with an explosion of creativity, a sense of unity, and a newfound inspiration for your craft.
Cost: given upon inquiry
BUSINESS
Tri-Cities - Women in Business Conference
January 31, 2018 | Kennewick, WA
The Tri-Cities Women in Business Conference is a one-day powerhouse event that brings together accomplished female leaders, corporate executives, business owners and young professionals to share insights, exchange ideas and empower their careers. Since the inaugural event in 2012, it has grown to be Eastern Washington's largest career and professional development event for women, boasting two keynote presentations, morning seminars, six afternoon workshops and a wine social to end the day. In addition, the event brings in over 300 all-day conference attendees, 500-600 luncheon attendees and 30 exhibitor booths!
Cost: $32 - $105
February 2, 2018 | Foster City, CA
Inclusive leadership requires the commitment of ALL genders, cultures and perspectives. ALL people must consider themselves accountable to do ALL they can to advance women into leadership roles. Now more than ever, it’s important to have uncomfortable conversations about intersectionality, bias, inclusion, race, culture and gender in order to build trust, strengthen partnerships and unite in our declaration to be ALL IN for women.
Trust Matters is the rallying cry of this action-oriented, half-day event that will motivate attendees in the pursuit of higher cross-cultural dialogue and understanding. The program will converge around tools and strategies to effectively rebuild trust, while demonstrating how companies can support and increase employee engagement. We will address what it takes to recruit, retain and promote women in order to create and sustain a more collaborative and inclusive workplace. This is truly when TRUST MATTERS.
Challenge your thinking with inspiring stories, be welcomed into the worlds of others, and engage in open and honest dialogues about what it truly means to be trusting and inclusive.
Cost: $595
27th Annual Women’s Business Leadership Conference
March 7, 2018 | Tulsa, OK
Learn more about moving toward your career goals, developing yourself and others, and enhancing your leadership skills from expert women leaders.
Cost: $225
NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women 2018
March 21, 2018 | New York, NY
The NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women recognizes corporations and nonprofit organizations that have moved women into top executive positions and created a culture that identifies, promotes and nurtures successful women. Join us to celebrate the 2018 NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women!
Cost: $750
April 21-23, 2018 | Minneapolis, MN
The NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women recognizes corporations and nonprofit organizations that have moved women into top executive positions and created a culture that identifies, promotes and nurtures successful women. Join us to celebrate the 2018 NAFE Top Companies for Executive Women!
Cost: $600 ($350 for Gov. employees, military, non-profits)
2018 Leadership Summit for Women in National Security Careers
April 25, 2018 | Arlington, VA
Please join us for our 9th annual Leadership Summit for Women in National Security Careers on April 25, 2018.
This full day of inspirational speakers, self-examination, group discussions and action planning is a unique opportunity for women in national security careers to come together to learn, grow and explore. You will hear presentations by multigenerational leaders of diverse identities who share how they achieve resilient leadership at every level. This highly interactive day offers time to network, partner and acquire new strategies and solutions to achieve career success.
Cost: $350 - $600
Twin Cities Women's Leadership Summit 2018
June 6, 2018 | Minneapolis, MN
Join us at the NAFE Women’s Leadership Summit in Minneapolis on June 6th, 2018 for power-packed and practical opportunities to elevate the confidence of women within organizations and develop important tools to advance next-level career goals, exert influence and make a substantial impact.
Cost: given upon inquiry
Forté MBA Women's Leadership Conference
June 15–16, 2018 | Atlanta, GA
Meet hundreds of like-minded women at this two-day conference and start winning in the business world before you even begin your MBA. Learn from highly successful women how to develop stand-out skills, project an authentic leadership style, and build an impressive and powerful network.
This is your time to take an opportunity to explore career paths, meet recruiters and mentors, and hear from today’s most influential businesswomen.
Cost: N/A Registration opens 3/15
WBENC National Conference & Business Fair
June 19-21, 2018 | Detroit, MI
The National Conference & Business Fair is the largest conference of its kind for women business owners in the U.S. The WBENC National Conference & Business Fair is attended by Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs); senior executives and procurement representatives from the Fortune 500 and the U.S. Government; and select partner organizations whose missions align with WBENC’s vision of expanding women’s business opportunities in the marketplace. With three days of robust programming, the conference features lectures and presentations from today’s thought leaders, engaging panel discussions, 1:1 MatchMaker sessions, networking receptions, and a notable Business Fair.
Cost: $375 - $1000
2018 National Women's Business Conference - Hosted by NAWBO
September 23-25, 2018 | Spokane, WA
This year’s theme is “Work Well, Live Well.” As women entrepreneurs, our lives are a journey, never a destination. We run successful businesses and households, give back to our communities, advocate for causes we care most about and nurture other life passions. We are constantly focusing, refocusing, pushing, pausing, inventing, reinventing, stretching and balancing—and growing every step of the way along the many paths we take. NAWBO encourages you to join their community as they brace this exciting journey together to “work well, live well”!
Cost: given upon inquiry
International Women’s Forum - World Leadership Conference
October 24-26, 2018 | Miami, FL
World Leadership Conferences, conducted annually by the International Women’s Forum, draw women from more than 50 countries who are the world’s leading architects, advocates, catalysts, and pioneers of change – the women who are re-drawing the map for how we’ll live, work, produce, and maintain healthy communities in the coming years. As our global economies restructure and reshape business, politics, environments, access and opportunity, IWF’s cutting–edge conferences harness those must-have conversations in order to educate, inform and inspire our women leaders and our partners to be out ahead of the change that is needed.
Cost: given upon inquiry
The Texas Conference for Women
November 9th, 2018 | Austin, TX
The Texas Conference for Women offers inspiration, motivation, networking, personal & professional development, and community.
Cost: N/A Registration opens 5/9