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TechConnect’s 2014 Women & Technology Conference will kick off next Thursday, October 16 at Oglebay Resort & Conference Center in Wheeling.

Registration is open until 5 pm on Monday, October 13.  To register, click here.

“We’re excited about the lineup of outstanding speakers and breakout sessions, and we’re looking forward to a great turnout from women of all ages and from many different professions,” said Anne Barth, Executive Director of TechConnect.  “People who are coming to this conference—both women and yes, there are some men—share a common desire to grow the number of women working in and with technology sectors in the state.

“This is a great conference to attend if you’re seeking informative panels, enlightening workshops, and engaging keynote speakers,” Barth said.

Dr. Kathryn Sullivan

The conference will feature keynotes by three outstanding leaders, including:

• Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, NOAA Administrator and Under-Secretary for the Department of Commerce, will discuss her past accomplishments as a NASA astronaut (first American woman to walk in space) and being a leader of a major federal agency.
• Nikki Bowman, CEO of New South Media, will talk about how she has grown several businesses in the state, including West Virginia Living magazine, WV Focus and other publications.
• WVU Provost Joyce McConnell, JD, LLM, will provide insightful remarks about women, technology, and the role of higher education in serving our state.

“These are remarkable women who are making a difference, and their messages are sure to inspire,” Barth said.

The conference is designed for women working in and with technology fields or settings at all career stages, whether in the private sector, technology, higher education, research or government.

“This is a unique opportunity to engage with professionals from various sectors interesting in growing the technology economy,” Barth said.

Those attending will get concrete information on overcoming obstacles to success, being a better leader and building stronger teams.  Attendees also will hear top tips on career reinvention and ideas on the best ways on how to make social media work for them.

“Participants will explore the nuances of both leadership and teams, learn how to leverage social media for success at work and at home and pick up tips for negotiating salary and bonuses when joining a new company, seeking a promotion or exploring the benefits of career reinvention,” she added.

Other topics will include:

• Overcoming Obstacles to Success
• Becoming a Better Leader
• Building Stronger Teams
• Career Reinvention
• Money Management
• Leveraging Social Media

TechConnect West Virginia founded the Women & Technology Conference in 2012 to encourage women involved in technology education, research, private enterprise, the public sector, investing and entrepreneurship.  The 2014 conference is presented with the support of the following sponsors: West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts; West Virginia UniversityOfficeofResearchandEconomicDevelopment;MarshallUniversityResearchCorp.;West VirginiaHigherEducationPolicyCommission;West VirginiaNASASpaceGrantConsortium; BrickStreetInsurance; Appalachian Power; and WesBanco.

Conference registration is available by visiting www.techconnectwv.org/events.