Paving the Way in Business

“As women, we all love a good story. We love to step outside of ourselves for a moment and enter someone else’s world. To be shaken, stirred and inspired by the experiences of others.

We also love connection, to be reminded we’re not alone as we build careers and families, chase dreams and balance the ever-growing mental load. It’s this connection and sharing of stories that has made the Business Women’s Network Speaker Series one of the most popular women’s events on the city’s calendar.

Run annually by Tauranga Business Chamber, the Speaker Series aims to connect Bay of Plenty women in business, with a view to building a community of women looking to make positive change. Picture hundreds of women, of different ages, backgrounds, industries and stages of their careers, gathering together to support and inspire one another.

Each year we bring in an extraordinary panel of businesswomen whose stories — full of passion, adversity and grit — challenge and inspire the way our attendees think in business and in life. And after two sell-out years, we’re bringing the event back for a third installment — raising the bar with a bigger venue, incredible speakers, and a new expo-type set up to show off local women-owned businesses and products.

Breaking new ground

Our 2023 theme, Paving the Way, will explore the journey women take when breaking new ground in their respective industries: balancing business with families and self, creating new ways of working, and exploring the new frontier in business. From reaching great heights in entrepreneurism and journalism, to exploring the neuroscience of leadership, our speakers truly embody this theme. Their stories are guaranteed to leave you feeling empowered and inspired.

This year we’re incredibly excited to have Kerre Woodham, one of New Zealand’s best-loved media personalities and Rebekah Campbell, internationally renowned Kiwi entrepreneur, headlining the event as our keynote speakers.

Kerre is known as a national treasure in Kiwi media. She began her television career on Fair Go and has made regular appearances on TV over the 35 years that followed, including Intrepid Journeys, Heartland, Ready Steady Cook and most recently on Dancing with the Stars. She currently hosts her own radio show on Newstalk ZB.

Rebekah is the founder of three successful companies and author of 138 Dates, a book about searching for love at the same time as launching a global technology business. She first gained national attention as organiser of the Levi’s Life Festival in Wellington at just 20 years old.

The pair will be joined by fellow speakers Cooney Lees Morgan CEO Cecilia Burgess, wellknown disability advocate Amanda Lowry and leadership expert Sally Duxfield. I’m incredibly excited by this year’s line-up, and can’t wait to hear their stories while surrounded by a room full of passionate businesswomen.

Of course, this event wouldn’t happen without the support of our sponsors, in particular our Speaker Series principal sponsors Craigs Investment Partners and Cooney Lees Morgan.

By women, for women

While the Speaker Series is the pinnacle of the Business Women’s Network, there’s so much more to the story.

BWN was formed by women, for women, more than 20 years ago — with the goal of better supporting and championing women in business. And it’s working. What started small has become a thriving community of women at all stages of their careers, meeting regularly to learn, support and uplift one another.

It produces not only friendships, but mentorships. It inspires new businesses, career progression, and that all-important affirmation that we’re not alone in our juggle of family, work and self.

BWN is most known for its regular networking events. If you’ve never experienced a BWN event, and you’re craving a little connection or inspiration, I encourage you to come along to the Speaker Series or another event in the near future. You don’t have to be a Tauranga Business Chamber member (but if you are, your ticket price is discounted).

To keep in the loop with our news and upcoming events, you can subscribe to our BWN newsletter at tauranga.org.nz/bwn or visit our events calendar.”

Tickets to the BWN Speaker Series 2023 are still available. Grab yours before they sell out at tauranga.org.nz/events