Anyone using hashtags #womenontherise and #womenhelpingwomen is definitely someone we want to feature! I met Heather briefly at a Pink Shirt Day Women’s Luncheon committee meeting and was impressed hearing about the WNORTH Conference she founded. Fast forward to a couple other connections later (thank you LinkedIn and Women’s Web), I had a chance to talk to her in more detail about it and the inspiration behind the conference. Having founded Pink Tank on the premise of having more genuine connections where we can connect, motivate and inspire each other, we loved hearing how the WNORTH Conference was born from a similar need. Conferences that encourage participants to engage and interact allow the attendees to take away so much more rather than having someone speak for an hour with no interaction. Read on to find out more about Heather and the amazing inspiration behind the WNORTH Conference being held on Friday, March 6th! 9 days left to purchase tickets!
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I live in Whistler with my husband Mike who is originally from South Africa. We own a company called Bluebird Strategy that specializes in Event Execution and Sponsorship Consulting. We love to snowboard, travel and drink wine!
What inspired you to create WNORTH?
I regularly attend women’s networking events in Vancouver and I recognized a consistent challenge was that there was limited engagement opportunities; there wasn’t that breaking down of barriers and level of engagement that I had seen at some conferences that I had attended in more destination locations, such as Whistler. I wanted to create a forumwhere driven and dynamic women who are the next generation of senior leaders in business could come together in Whistler, network and work to elevate one and other’s careers.
With WNORTH, alongside the speaker talks and programming there are number of additional events that allow our attendees to get out and enjoy the resort with their new friends from WNORTH including a Wine Reception at the Firerock Lounge, a trip to the Scandinave Spa and Connect Dinners at Araxi and Alta Bistro where attendees and speakers mingle.
What are you hoping people will take away from attending?
Our theme for this year is “Conversations”. At many events, I sometimes feel as though the speakers are talking at me not with me. I would like WNORTH attendees to have conversations that willinspire them and help them succeed in their career. Engagement will be our focus; we hope to challenge attendees with new insight, to help them forge new networks, and to leave the event as an engaged an active community of women, who are inspired by their experience, who will go out and to help lift other women as they climb in their careers.
What is the best thing about creating WNorth Conference?
The overwhelming support and encouragement that I have received from people (both men and women) who I hold in high regard – and the validation that there is a genuine need for what we are trying to create.
I love the diversity of your speakers! Which speaker are you most interested in hearing?
Oh that’s tough to say. They each bring such unique and valuable insights, and experiences and I’m excited to hear what stories they will share. Of the topics, the one I am most excited about is Devon Brooks (co-founder of Blo Blow Dry Bar) on “Navigating your greatest failures, fuck-ups, and misfortunes” followed by a session called confessions in which attendees will be invited to participate in micro-talks on failure.
Love the name Bluebird strategy! Can you tell us what inspired you to create your own business and how it came to fruition?
Thank you – everybody loves a Bluebird day with blue skies! Bluebird speaks to a state of mind, and the goal we work towards; making all parties feel good about their partnership. After nearly 10 years’ worth of experience in sponsorship management and consulting, I saw that there was an opportunity in the marketplace (especially on the West Coast) for a boutique agency to take the lead on building strategic sponsorship relationships, with a specific focus on building genuine partnerships. We’ve helped build sponsorship programs for clients such as Eco Fashion Week, Ovarian Cancer Canada and now my own event WNORTH. I love what I do and everyday is definitely different.
Date: Friday, March 6th
When: 8:45am – 6:00pm
Where: Westin Whistler Resort & Spa
Pink Tank Group 