Last year, the Odessa Chamber of Commerce held its SheCan International Women’s Day event in person for the first time.
With the success of last year’s conference, it was a no-brainer to bring back.
This year’s event will take place from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 8 at the Odessa Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.
The first event was held back in 2021 but due to COVID, was only a virtual panel.
Now, it has blossomed to a nearly-full day in-person workshop.
The goal of the conference is to empower, encourage and engage with women in the Permian Basin by creating an inviting and fun atmosphere for networking.
“It’s just coming around,” Odessa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Renee Earls said. “We’ve been so busy trying to type up some loose ends. Last year was a great way to kick off the event. The year prior, we did just a virtual event so it was our first time to do it in person this year.”
Earls talked about some of the positive feedback from last year’s conference.
One of the things that will be addressed this year is mental health.
“We got some great feedback,” Earls said. “We’re taking some of the comments and trying to put that into this upcoming event. One of the comments was women and mental health. We’re hoping to address that. When you’re plate is too full, what you can do to take care of your mind and your body.”
There will be a couple of speakers throughout the morning including University of Texas of the Permian Basin President Sandra Woodley.
“We’ll have Dr. Woodley of UTPB,” Earls said. “She’ll be the keynote speaker to kickoff the event. We chose her for several reasons. One, she is the president of the university and there are very few women across the country that are university presidents and Odessa is fortunate enough to have one. Her journey to become a president and her educational journey are not traditional. That’s one of the things that she really prides herself on when she talks to students. You don’t have to take the traditional route and we have a lot of women in the area who maybe gone to work and done other things but didn’t complete or start that education so she’s an inspiration. She will really set the tone.”
Earls said there will also be a segment on giving back in the business arena.
“We’re highlighting some different community members who have been really well known for getting involved and serving,” Earls said. “We have some who serve right here in the community. We have others who have served literally around the world. We want women when they leave to feel empowered to go find their passion and give back to the community.”
The keynote speaker for this year’s conference will be author Cara Brookins who is best known for building a house with her four children using YouTube tutorials after escaping an abusive relationship.
“She was in a place in her life where she was about to lose her home and had no place to live,” Earls said. “She started watching YouTube videos on how to build a home so her topic will be perseverance. When you think you’re up against a wall and think there’s no way out, nothing is impossible.”
Registration will open at 8 a.m. and a book signing will take place in the afternoon with Brookins.
There will also be booths set up.
“We have some booths and we’re still needing more booths,” Earls said. “Women love to shop. One of the comments (from last year) was that they wanted more shopping opportunities.”
For tickets or more information about the conference, go to tinyurl.com/bddyf2em.
