Women’s Leadership Workshop Tops Special Activities at WIA Summit

By Michelle Pelletier Marshall, Women in Agribusiness Media (July 16, 2024)

We know that you attend the Women in Agribusiness Summit to learn about the most recent ag topics, to network with past and new colleagues, and to gain skills to push your career to the next level. We also know that the special activities that envelope this shroud of learning and professionalism are a key to the package deal that is the WIA experience.

And this year, we have no shortage of WOW at WIA! From our standard annual offerings such as opening night receptions that may or may not include dripping chocolate fountains with indulgent fruits and cookies to dip into it, to headshot photographers that capture the you that says “I am WIA”, to off-site receptions that include trapeze artists, swinging champagne dresses or line dancing and horse rides, we’ve got the excitement covered. Let’s not forget our Executive Luncheon, Demeter Award presentations, and special Justin Boots raffle.

This year in Denver (September 24-26 – register here if you haven’t already), so far we offer the following special activities*:

Workshop: Developing the Next Generation of Women Leading Ag

Headlining the special activities at this year’s Women in Agribusiness Summit is the workshop presented by Brandon Bell, talent and culture lead, Syngenta Group & Head of ED&I Syngenta North America, Syngenta; and Kelsey Lakamp, head of North American Talent Acquisition and Academic Partnerships, Syngenta Seeds.

This four-hour dynamic leadership workshop is tailored for ambitious women with 10-15 years of experience who are ready to take charge of their professional journey, bridge skill gaps and create a unique personal brand. The Syngenta team will use interactive exercises and descriptive narratives to ensure attendees leave with clear and actionable insights in career development strategies, skill gap analysis, and personal branding mastery.

WIA Members Only Night Out

Held at nearby Colorado State University Spur, this exclusive event for WIA Members features a private screening of Dr. Temple Grandin's not-yet-released documentary - An Open Door – followed by a Q&A panel with her, alongside the film's director, John Barnhardt, and CSU president, Amy Parsons.

There also will be a social hour where Dr. Grandin will sign and distribute copies of her most recent book, Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions. WIA Membership and pre-registration are required for this special night out.

Colorado State University (CSU) Spur: Self-Guided Tour

Here you will have the chance to peruse this educational, research and community destination focused on learning about food, water, and health. With $250 million in state funding, the Spur center showcases ongoing research in the field and explores behind-the-scenes activities, such as watching horse rehabilitation on underwater treadmills, using virtual reality to learn about animal and human anatomy, and learning about gray water catchment and other sustainability efforts throughout the CSU campus.

Kalcevic Farm Tours

This dry land wheat, corn, sorghum, and milo farming operation, located 25 miles east of Denver in Bennet, has been in operation since 1898 and is now run by fourth generation family members. WIA Summit tours will give an insider view into farming productions at Kalcevic Farms.

Women in Protein Dinner

This annual dinner celebrates and recognizes accomplished women in protein. What better place to do that than in Colorado – the tenth-largest cattle producing state in the U.S. with over three million head of cattle, and where more than 39,000 farm and ranch operations occupy over 30 million acres. This year's Protein Dinner will take place at the Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse located in downtown Denver.

Hundreds of women will gather in Denver in September to gain knowledge, know-how, and networking and career development opportunities at the 13th annual Women in Agribusiness Summit. Join them. www.womeninag.com 

*Additional registration and cost are required for most special activities. Look here for details.