Mon, November 2nd – Tue, November 3rd, 2026

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Rosemont, IL

2026 Women in Industry Conference

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Event Overview

Why Attend

Join us for an interactive conference designed to help women strengthen their leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and move forward with purpose.

Register

Turn Ideas Into Action

Discover practical strategies and renewed accountability to put your ideas into action.

Elevate Your Presence

Uncover simple, practical shifts you can start using immediately.

Gain Fresh Perspective

Share experiences, ideas, and learn how other women are tackling similar issues

Strengthen Communication

Gain practical tools to lead with confidence and communicate with impact.

Build Momentum with Women Across the Industry

Momentum doesn't happen by accident—it's built one conversation, one connection, and one bold step at a time.

Join women from across the material handling industry for a day of fresh ideas, honest conversations, and practical strategies designed to help you move forward with purpose. Through engaging speakers, interactive discussions, and meaningful networking, you’ll sharpen your communication skills, strengthen your professional presence, embrace accountability, and discover new ways to create value for your organization. Momentum starts with a single decision to grow. Make this the day that moves your impact forward.

Event Speakers & Facilitator

Learn From the Best

Henna Pryor

Workplace Performance Expert and Author

Kristen Ziman

Former Chief of Police, Leadership Expert and Author

Lori Palmer

President
REB Storage Systems International

What People Are Saying

"This conference is a highlight of my year!"
"I love attending this conference! Look forward to going back in 2026!”
"The conference exceeded my expectations. Being my first MHEDA event, this was the perfect way to be introduced into MHEDA and what our industry stands for.”
"I thought that all the speakers were great and delivered inspiring messages to the group.”
“It was a great experience, informative, encouraging and inspiring."
"I learned a lot from the speakers and the roundtable sessions. Everyone at our roundtables were so engaging. It was great!"
"Great speakers, great attendees, great atmosphere!"
"I love that MHEDA makes a point to give back."

AGENDA

Featured Sessions

Mon, Nov 2
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Welcome Dinner
Mingle and Merriment Welcome Dinner
Kick off the conference by connecting with fellow attendees at our Welcome Dinner! Enjoy a fun evening of great food, engaging conversation, and interactive trivia games designed to help you meet new people. The Welcome Dinner is included with your registration - RSVP is required.
Mon, Nov 2
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Give Back
MHEDA Gives Back
Join us in supporting Sarah's Inn, a nonprofit dedicated to helping survivors of domestic violence rebuild their lives with safety, hope, and support. This holiday season, we're focusing on teens, who are often overlooked during gift drives. You can make a difference by bringing an unwrapped gift, donating a gift card, or helping assemble stocking stuffer bags during the Welcome Dinner. MHEDA will provide all the stocking supplies, making it easy to give back while connecting with fellow attendees. A gift wish list will also be available for event attendees.
Tue, Nov 3
7:30 - 8:30 am
Registration
Registration & Breakfast
Stop by the registration desk for your name badge then enjoy a healthy breakfast fueling you for a full day of learning.
Tue, Nov 3
8:30 - 8:45 am
Welcome
Welcome & Introductions
Begin a productive day filled with conversation and connection as we come together to learn.
Tue, Nov 3
8:45 - 10:15 am
Presentation
The Signal Gap: How to Boost Believability and Influence in the Age of Doubt
Presented by Henna Pryor, Workplace Performance Expert & Author

Clear, confident communication is one of the most valuable leadership skills in today's workplace. Yet even the strongest leadership ideas can fall flat if they don't earn trust and inspire action. In this practical session, learn how to close the Signal Gap, the gap between delivering a message and ensuring it is believed, understood, and acted upon.
Tue, Nov 3
10:15 - 10:30 am
Break
Morning Break
Enjoy refreshments, stretch your legs and network with fellow attendees during the break!
Tue, Nov 3
10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Presentation
Own Your Voice: Mastering Executive Presence
Presented by Henna Pryor, Workplace Performance Expert & Author

Executive presence isn't about fitting a traditional leadership mold. It's about aligning your message, your actions, and your leadership style to build credibility and influence. In this practical, skill-building session, participants will strengthen the skills that elevate their presence and prepare them for greater responsibility.

Tue, Nov 3
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Lunch
Lunch
Enjoy a delicious lunch and continue the conversations with fellow attendees.
Tue, Nov 3
1:00 - 1:15 pm
Presentation
Maximize Your Membership
Learn about MHEDA, MHI and WERC Member programs, resources and more during this information packed presentation.
Tue, Nov 3
1:15 - 2:30 pm
Roundtables
Trends and Challenges Roundtables
Some of the best ideas come from conversations with peers who understand your challenges. Join this interactive roundtable to discuss the trends shaping our industry, the obstacles you're facing, and the opportunities ahead. Share experiences, exchange practical ideas, and learn how other women are tackling similar issues in their organizations. You'll leave with fresh perspectives, new connections, and actionable insights you can take back to your team.
Tue, Nov 3
2:30 - 2:45 pm
Break
Afternoon Break
Enjoy refreshments, stretch your legs and network with fellow attendees during the break!

Tue, Nov 3
2:45 - 3:45 pm
Presentation
Reckonings: Moments of Truth That Change Everything
Presented by Kristen Ziman, Leadership expert, former Chief of Police & Author

The ability to navigate change, make sound decisions under pressure, and earn trust through accountability are skills every organization needs, and every professional can develop. In this compelling session, former police chief Kristen Ziman draws on three decades of leading through crisis, organizational change, and public scrutiny. Learn a practical framework for making confident decisions under pressure and transforming tough moments into opportunities for growth.
Tue, Nov 3
3:45 - 4:00 pm
Break
Break
Enjoy refreshments, stretch your legs and network with fellow attendees during the break!
Tue, Nov 3
4:00 - 4:45 pm
Roundtables
Ideas to Action Roundtables
Turn inspiration into action during the Ideas to Action roundtable. You'll reflect on the conference's key insights, identify the ideas that resonated most, and create a personalized action plan for applying what you've learned. Through thoughtful discussion with fellow attendees, you'll leave with clear next steps, practical strategies, and renewed accountability to put your new knowledge into practice long after the conference ends.
Tue, Nov 3
4:45 - 5:00 pm
Closing
Closing Comments
We’ll wrap up the conference by reflecting on key takeaways, celebrating new connections, and sharing final inspiration to carry your momentum forward
DOWNLOAD AGENDA

Conference Sponsors

We 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. Please join us in recognizing their contributions.

Pricing

Register to Attend

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

Early Bird

$895

Per Person Rate before
October 7, 2026

Register

Member

$1095

Per Person Rate After
October 7, 2026

Register

Non-Member

$1,650

Per Person Rate For
Non-Members

Register

CONFERENCE LOCATION

Venue & Accommodations

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. 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.
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John Doe

Director of Awsome, ABC Corporation

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Henna Pryor

Workplace Performance Expert & Author

Henna Pryor is a dynamic workplace performance expert specializing in mindset, communication, and interpersonal dynamics. She is an Inc. Magazine columnist, 18x award-winning author of Good Awkward, and a sought-after global keynote speaker. Blending two decades of experience with a science-based approach, Henna helps leaders take smarter risks and build the social and mental fitness needed to succeed at work.

The Signal Gap: How to Boost Believability and Influence in the Age of Doubt
Tuesday, November 3 from 8:45 am – 10:15 am

Own Your Voice: Mastering Executive Presence
Tuesday, November 3 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Kristen Ziman

Leadership Expert, Author & Former Chief of Police

Kristen Ziman is a nationally recognized leadership expert, author, and former Chief of Police for Aurora, Illinois. During her 30-year law enforcement career, she became the first woman to lead the department and guided her community through one of the nation’s most high-profile crisis events, earning respect for her calm, authentic leadership. Today, Kristen helps organizations build resilient leaders, strengthen workplace culture, and navigate change with confidence and purpose. Drawing on real-world experience, positive psychology, and compelling storytelling, she delivers practical insights that inspire audiences to lead with courage, connection, and lasting impact.

Reckonings: Moments of Truth That Change Everything
Tuesday, November 3 from 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm

Lori Palmer

President, REB Storage Systems International

Lori Palmer is President and Owner of REB Storage Systems International and REB Contracting Solutions, bringing more than 41 years of experience in the storage and material handling industry. Having worked in nearly every position at REB throughout her career, Lori has developed extensive knowledge of the industry, its customers, and the challenges businesses face when developing effective storage solutions. Her leadership is rooted in trust, ethics, and integrity, with a strong focus on building lasting customer relationships, sharing industry best practices, and delivering customized solutions. 

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.

2025 and Beyond: Strategic Moves for Business Growth and Sustainability
Tuesday, April 29 from 9:45 am to 11:00 am

Key Takeaways from MHEDA’s DSC Report
Tuesday, April 29 from 1:15 pm to 2:30 pm