Tue, November 4th – Wed, November 5th, 2025

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Rosemont, IL

Women in Industry Conference

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Event Overview

Why Attend

Join MHEDA, MHI and WERC for the Women in Industry Conference and gain tools to prepare yourself for all the future has in store for the industry! This interactive conference is designed to inspire you to lead the way in evolving and preparing for the business landscape of tomorrow.

Insight

Participate in interactive roundtable discussions on leadership and industry topics.

Expertise

Learn how to gain respect, power and influence with educational sessions.

Knowledge

Gain practical skills and insights on leadership, technology, and development.

Network

Connect with industry peers to gain insights and expand your network.

Who Should Attend

Whether you’re looking to advance your career, start a new role, or simply gain inspiration, this conference is designed to equip you with the tools and knowledge to build on your strengths. Register now and be part of a community of women who are shaping the future of the material handling industry!

Register

Event Speakers

Learn From the Best

Judy Hoberman

President of Judy Hoberman and Associates

Fotini Iconomopoulos

Negotiation Expert

Jen Allen-Knuth

Founder
of DemandJen

Crystal Washington

Futurist, Author, and Hall of Fame Speaker
Get Experience

Join us in Rosemont, IL for this interactive and insightful industry event!

We’ll explore new breakthroughs in AI, strengthen negotiation skills, and equip you with tools to speak with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re elevating a brand, breaking through barriers, or sprinting toward your next big goal, this conference will give you the techniques to go further. Join a network of driven, dynamic women who are ready to train hard, dream big, and lead with strength.

AGENDA

Featured Sessions

Tue, Nov 4
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Welcome Dinner
Welcome Dinner + Give Back
Kick off the conference with an evening of connection, food, and drinks. Join us in assembling care kits for WINGS, a nonprofit supporting survivors of domestic violence. We're also collecting new and gently used purses during the event to donate to WINGS, your donation can make a difference! Welcome Dinner is included with your registration.
Wed, Nov 5
8:00 - 9:00 am
Registration
Registration and Breakfast Buffet
Check in, pick up your badge, and enjoy breakfast while networking.
Wed, Nov 5
9:00 - 9:15 am
Welcome
Welcome & Introductions
Conference Moderator Judy Hoberman, President of Judy Hoberman and Associates, will welcome attendees and kick off the day with introductions, a great opportunity to connect with fellow participants.
Wed, Nov 5
9:15 - 10:30 am
Presentation
Strengthen Your AI Skills: Generative AI for Leaders
Crystal Washington, Futurist, Author, and Hall of Fame Speaker will share the latest breakthroughs in generative AI and how you can safely harness them to drive innovation. The AI-driven future of work is here, and generative AI is rapidly becoming a vital tool for achieving business success. Technologies like ChatGPT are no longer optional productivity boosters, they are transforming how professionals work, innovate, and compete.
Wed, Nov 5
10:30 - 10:45 am
Break
Break
Take a short break to recharge, network with peers, and get ready for the next session.
Wed, Nov 5
10:45 am - 12:00 pm
Roundtable Discussion
Material Handling Business Trends Roundtables
Discuss the 2026 trends and how they are impacting you and your business.
Wed, Nov 5
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Lunch
Networking Lunch
Enjoy lunch while continuing conversations with fellow attendees.
Wed, Nov 5
1:00 - 1:15 pm
Membership
Maximize Your Membership, MHEDA, MHI & WERC
Learn about Member programs, resources and more!
Wed, Nov 5
1:15 - 2:15 pm
Presentation
Strengthen Your Voice: Turn Ideas into Action
Humans, by nature, favor the comfort of “good enough” over the uncertainty of change. Prospect Theory teaches us that humans are more motivated to avoid risk than pursue benefit. Jen Allen-Knuth, Founder of DemandJen will lead this session sharing tactical approaches to dismantling roadblocks, moving conversations past hesitation, and ensuring your ideas not only resonate, but drive action.
Wed, Nov 5
2:15 - 2:30 pm
Break
Break
Take a short break to recharge, network with peers, and get ready for the next session.
Wed, Nov 5
2:30 - 3:45 pm
Roundtable Discussion
Fireside Chat: What’s Really Getting In Our Way?
Join us for a powerful, interactive conversation designed to spark connection, insight, and real solutions. In small roundtable groups, you’ll dive into open, honest discussions about the biggest challenges you’re facing—whether in your role, industry, or leadership journey. Together, we’ll uncover common threads, share fresh perspectives, and walk away feeling more connected.
Wed, Nov 5
3:45 - 4:00 pm
Break
Break
Take a short break to recharge, network with peers, and get ready for the next session.
Wed, Nov 5
4:00 - 5:00 pm
Presentation
Strengthen Your Negotiation Skills: Negotiation as a Leadership Superpower
Strong leaders don’t shy away from negotiation, they master it. Fotini Iconomopoulos, Negotiation Expert and Author will show you practical tools to approach every conversation—from high-stake deals to everyday team dynamics—with clarity, confidence, and purpose. You will learn how to turn tension into collaboration, resolve conflict with impact, and lead through influence.

Download Agenda

Pricing

Register to Attend

Included in the registration fee is admittance to the event, welcome dinner, all handout material, breakfast, networking luncheon, and refreshment breaks. Does not include travel or hotel accommodations.

Early Bird

$795

Per Person Rate Expires
October 9, 2025

Register

Member

$895

Per Person Rate After
October 9, 2025

Register

Non-Member

$1,095

Per Person Rate For
Non-Members

Register

Event Co-Sponsors

MHEDA would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our event sponsors for their generous support!
Their commitment helps make this event possible and ensures a valuable experience for all attendees.

What People Are Saying

“This was my first women’s conference, and I really enjoyed meeting so many women in so many different parts of the industry. This has been a wonderful experience that I would love to do again!”
“I literally cannot pick which speaker was my favorite because they were all beyond fantastic. I soaked in so much information and new knowledge I cannot wait to use.”
“Scale of 1-10, 20!!! The content was engaging, insightful, and well-presented. So much valuable information. It was also great to meet people in the industry.”

Conference Location

Loews Chicago O'Hare Hotel

The Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel is located just two-miles from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. This award-winning hotel offers a stylish new design that reflects trellised gardens and lawns found in Chicago. A special discounted group rate starting at $229 per night is available through October 14, or until the block is full.
There is a 25% Discount on published self-parking rates at time of meeting.

Address

5300 N River Rd
Rosemont, IL 60018

book your room

Not a Member?

To complete the application, you will need to first login or create a MHEDA account. Click below to get started with your account and application.
Apply Now
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Judy Hoberman

President of Judy Hoberman and Associates

Judy Hoberman is President of Judy Hoberman & Associates, a firm dedicated to empowering professional women. An international speaker, executive coach, author, podcast host of The Trailblazer Chronicles and former radio host, Judy brings 30 years of business experience and a deep understanding of how men and women lead, sell, and communicate differently. With a background in sales and leadership—spanning over two decades in life and health insurance—she led agencies across three states and continues to hold her license. Judy helps companies advance diversity, sales, and leadership initiatives, and is known for her transformational approach to coaching and training.

Fotini Iconomopoulos

Negotiation Expert and Author

Fotini Iconomopoulos is a globally recognized expert in negotiation, communication, and leadership—known for turning high-stakes conversations into high-impact outcomes. Her bestselling book, Say Less, Get More, was born after HarperCollins approached her, saying, “We think you have a book in you.” She teaches MBA negotiations in Toronto and abroad, and advises brands like Microsoft, Walmart, and Nestlé. With over 15 years of experience across 170+ industries and six continents, Fotini brings real-world insight, behavioral science, and humor to every keynote—empowering audiences to influence with integrity and communicate with confidence.

Jen Allen-Knuth

Founder of DemandJen

Jen Allen-Knuth helps sales teams spark C-level conversations that build and convert pipeline. After 18 years as a seller at Corporate Executive Board and Challenger, she saw that the biggest threat to revenue isn’t competitors—it’s buyer inertia. As former Chief Evangelist at Challenger and Head of Community Growth at Lavender AI, Jen now teaches reps to unstick stalled deals, break the status quo, and drive change. She’s trained teams at G2, IBM, Square, and more. Outside of work, she rescues dogs and is a proud stepmom to four kids.

Crystal Washington

Futurist, author, and Hall of Fame speaker

Crystal Washington helps organizations become “future-proof.” As a technology strategist and certified futurist, she simplifies complex topics like artificial intelligence, social media, and app tech for everyday professionals. Her clients include Fortune 100 companies such as Google, Pfizer, and American Express. A globally sought-after keynote speaker, Crystal was named one of Forbes’ 50 Leading Female Futurists. She appears weekly on the Emmy-nominated show Life 2.0 and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Bloomberg Businessweek, and on major networks as a trusted tech expert.

John Doe

Director of Awsome, ABC Corporation

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Gene Marks

CPA, National Business Columnist, Author & Speaker

Gene Marks is a past columnist for both The New York Times and The Washington Post. Gene now writes regularly for The Hill, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Forbes, Entrepreneur, The Washington Times, and The Guardian. Gene is a best-selling author and has written 5 books on business management. Gene appears on Fox Business, MSNBC, as well as CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor and SiriusXM’s Wharton Business Channel where he talks about the financial, economic and technology issues that affect business leaders today. Gene helps business owners, executives and managers understand the political, economic and technological trends that will affect their companies and provides actionable insights.

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