This event is SOLD OUT!

Conference Overview

More and more is expected from you every day. Whether it’s your job responsibilities, your family demands, or the unrelenting pace of modern living, you are always giving and doing more. But what if you did something more for you? Professional development is key to sharpening your leadership skills and recharging your battery.

Join MHEDA, MHI and WERC on November 1-2 for the 2023 Women in Industry Conference. This event is designed to help you energize, learn and build connections with women who work in the Material Handling industry.

The Women in Industry Conference is a day dedicated to giving you MORE.

• More Time. Welcome Reception and kickoff session on your arrival night to maximize your time and begin to cultivate connections.
• More Experts. Learn from six presenters, more than we have ever featured at the WII Conference!
• More Networking. Several networking opportunities throughout the event, including two roundtable discussions.
• More Career Growth. The Business of Networking: Cultivating Authentic Connections.
• More Energy. Better Together: How to Grow a Career and Life You Love.
• More Communication Strategies. Superpowers for Leadership – Self Awareness, Connection and Success.
• More Perspective. The Power of Vision and how it helps with goal-setting.
• More Specific. Roundtable Discussions by Roles. Meet with other women who share similar careers.
• More Instincts. Learn How to Read the Body Language of Deception.
• More Purpose. Creating a Culture of Vision, Adventure and Purpose. Learn about women all over the world and gain a broader perspective of how resilient women are helping others within their community.
• More Giving Back. You will have the opportunity to vote on which organization you want to donate to.

We promise you a day of big ideas, new industry friends lots of laughs with smart, engaging women. Take a moment to explore the agenda, then be sure to register early to secure your spot. We look forward to meeting you and giving you so much MORE!

Registration Fee

This event is sold out! If you would like to be added to the waitlist, email connect@mheda.org with your name, company and number of registrants that wish to attend.

$795 Early Bird MHEDA/MHI/WERC Member Rate – by October 6, 2023
$895 Regular MHEDA/MHI/WERC Member Rate – after October 6, 2023
$1095 Non-Member Rate

Registration Includes: All sessions, Welcome Reception, breakfast, lunch, and refreshment breaks. Also includes networking with other women who are material handling professionals and face similar career challenges as you. Travel and lodging not included.

Cancellation Policy: The full amount will be refunded if you cancel no later than October 20, 2023. Cancellations received after that date but before the start of the conference will be charged a $300 administration fee per person. No refunds given for “no shows.”

Agenda

Wednesday November 01

• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

  MORE Time

  Welcome Reception
  New in 2023, we will begin the program with a Welcome Reception the evening of your arrival and an interactive networking session, helping you build connections with other attendees faster. Enjoy drinks and reception style dinner in a welcoming and relaxing environment. This reception is included in your registration.

• 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

  MORE Career Growth

  The Business of Networking: Cultivating Authentic Connections
  Presented by Alexis Gladstone, Principal, Intelead

  How do you network? Do you do it with forethought and intention? Though we don’t always think about it, networking is as critical a skill as other essential skills such as teamwork and problem solving. We want to show up as ourselves and be able to share who we are. That is how we build authentic connections and reach our career goals. Join us as we talk about why you should be building your network no matter what your role is, and how to do it with intention and authenticity.

  Key Takeaways:

  • Define what networking is and why it’s important.
  • Learn how to be clear on who we are and the value we bring,
  • Gain insight on how to network and develop authentic relationships both internally and externally.
  • Discuss how developing connections can turn into mentoring relationships.

Thursday November 02

• 7:30 am - 8:30 am

  Breakfast Buffet

• 8:30 am - 9:00 am

  Welcome & Ice Breaker
  Conference Facilitator Shari Altergott helps you break the ice with fellow attendees.

• 9:00 am - 9:45 am

  MORE Energy

  Better Together: How to Grow a Career and Life You Love
  Presented by Rachel Sheerin, award winning speaker, author and Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst.

  The keys to enjoying life’s journey, uncovering happiness and increasing your positive influence on everyone you meet are shared in this fun, interactive keynote from Rachel Sheerin. Based on real-life experiences, case studies and backed with psychology, this keynote will have you thinking, laughing and opening your mind to new strategies for success through boundaries, confidence and joy!

  Key Takeaways:

  • Learn how to set boundaries for successful relationships;
  • Uncover your voice and quiet your inner critic;
  • Gain tools to connect with others to achieve your shared biggest goals.
• 9:45 am - 10:00 am

  Break

• 10:00 am - 10:45 am

  MORE Communication Strategies

  Superpowers for Leaders – Self Awareness, Connection and Success
  Presented by Rachel Sheerin, award winning speaker, author and Certified Professional Behavioral Analyst.

  Based in behavioral profiling with easy-to-use strategies, this fast-paced workshop builds leaders that want to succeed in professional, financial and personal ways. We will look at human behaviors and the power we have to influence, understand and react to them. This eye-opening session is bursting with personal introspection and awareness of others.

  Key Takeaways:

  • Understand ourselves and others’ behaviors;
  • Learn how to convert your understanding of your own and others’ behavior into trusting relationships.
  • Gain insights to improve communications in and out of the workplace.
• 10:45 am - 11:00 am

  Break

• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

  MORE Specific

  Roundtables by Roles
  Participate in roundtable discussions with your industry peers. New in 2023: Tables will be organized by different roles/careers in the industry.

• 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

  Lunch

• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

  MORE Instincts

  How to Read the Body Language of Deception
  Presented by Fraud Busting Body Language Expert Traci Brown

  In this fast-paced keynote, you’ll discover how to use Traci’s 9-Point Fraud Spotting System to separate the lies from the truth, so you don’t innocently step into a business, life, or reputation-destroying event. You’ll quit second-guessing your instincts and immediately tell fact from fiction.

  Key Takeaways:

  • Discover how to win the game of “two truths and a lie” that you play every day with your clients, your boss, your team and prospects.
  • Protect your hard-earned profits and catch would-be fraudsters before they can take away everything you’ve worked for.
  • Learn how to read fraudsters like a book.
• 2:00 pm - 2:15 pm

  Break

• 2:15 pm - 2:45 pm

  MORE Perspective

  The Power of Vision
  Presented by Karli Howe, Senior Manager, Value Chain Transformation, Grupo Bimbo

  Through personal stories and insights, we’ll uncover the transformative impact of envisioning your goals. This visionary thinking isn’t just about setting objectives; it’s about understanding the often-overlooked mental aspect of goal-setting and how it can lead to remarkable accomplishments in the ever-evolving realm of the Supply Chain.

  Key Takeaways:

  • Uncovering the transformative power of the mind in pursuing and achieving one’s goals.
  • Participate in an exercise where you can begin your own goal visualization.
  • Hear from a Senior Leader of Value Chain Innovation on how this has helped her career.
• 2:45 pm - 3:00 pm

  Break

• 3:00 pm - 3:45 pm

  MORE Discussions

  Material Handling Business Trends – Roundtable Discussions

  Discuss the 2024 trends and how they are impacting you and your business.

• 3:45 pm - 4:00 pm

  Break

• 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm

  MORE Purpose

  One Step Further: Creating a Culture of Vision, Adventure and Purpose
  Presented by Adventure traveler and documentary filmmaker Mallory Brown

  Mallory Brown takes audiences on a journey around the world. After traveling to over 60 countries documenting real-life stories of human connection, Mallory has discovered unique mindsets that cultivate a culture of vision and purpose. As a female entrepreneur, Mallory is passionate about empowering women to live to their fullest potential. She advocates for the equality and inclusion of women both at home and abroad. In her current documentary series, Mallory is walking a marathon around the world to raise money and awareness for women’s empowerment.

  In this session, you’ll hear incredible stories of women around the globe that are overcoming extreme challenges. Through these heartwarming examples of strength and resilience, you’ll tap into your own feminine power. Be prepared to open your heart, challenge your soul, and take your work one step further.

  Key Takeaways:

  • Set goals that push YOU out of your comfort zone.
  • Learn to overcome fear and challenges with humility and kindness;
  • Build a culture of openness and connection.

  MORE Giving Back

  New in 2023! This session is also a Give Back opportunity. We will be making a donation to one of the organizations featured in Mallory’s presentation. YOU will have the opportunity to vote on which organization you want the donation to go. You will also have the opportunity to make an additional donation on site if you choose.

• 4:45 pm - 5:00 pm

  Closing Remarks.  Conference Ends at 5:00 pm

Thank you Principal® for Sponsoring Breakfast at the Conference

Principal® – Plan Protect Invest Retire – Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan admin services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392. ©2022 Principal Financial Services.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities at this event? Contact Kathy Cotter at kcotter@mheda.org.

Speakers

Shari Altergott

Shari Altergott has over 20 years of experience within the Material Handling Industry. During her career she has held several positions within Marketing, Sales, Business Development and Executive Leadership. Today she leads a Customer Experience Consulting Firm focused specifically on the material handling industry. Over her time, she has developed full scope marketing functions that manage corporate initiatives related to Customer Experience, CRM, Social Networking, Brand Development, Advertising and Lead Generation. Shari also formally serves as the host of the MHEDA Talks Podcast.

Mallory Brown

Mallory Brown is a filmmaker, humanitarian, and speaker. She travels the world to tell real-life stories of human connection. At the age of 36, Mallory has traveled to 60+ countries to encourage a more compassionate, connected world. Mallory speaks to audiences about expand their work to be more meaningful and impactful. She teaches tools to set bigger goals, make deeper connections, and create more impact. Mallory’s nonprofit films have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations for causes she cares about. Her efforts have been featured by the Today Show, The New York Times, the Huffington Post, and Cosmopolitan Magazine. Mallory’s story inspires others to live bold and meaningful lives.

Traci Brown

What do Lance Armstrong, Chris Christie and Vladimir Putin have in common? Answer: Traci Brown’s revealed their secrets to the world She’s uncovered what they’re not saying. NBC, CBS and Fox have asked this body language expert to reveal secrets hidden in plain sight. And she can help your team reveal the secrets your clients are keeping from you that are impacting your bottom line. She’s trained in the body language of deception detection right alongside our country’s top law enforcement. She is a past president of the National Speaker’s Association Colorado Chapter and the author of four books including her latest, How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft.

Alexis Gladstone

Alexis Gladstone is the founder of Intelead. Through consulting, training, speaking, and executive coaching, she works with clients in the areas of leadership, sales, and organizational change to maximize individual and company results. Alexis has worked across industries from financial services to oil & gas, and everything in between. While the leadership problems most businesses face are the same, she believes the solutions are unique to its culture. Her passion is helping women succeed. She works with women individually through coaching and mentoring, and with organizations and leaders who want to recruit, retain, develop and champion women.

Karli Howe

Karli Howe is a woman who wears many hats, including being a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and dedicated professional. In her professional journey, she has navigated the ever-evolving landscape of the Supply Chain industry for more than a decade. Her journey began as a Systems Supervisor, overseeing Warehouse and Labor Management Systems at 3M in Southern California. Today, she proudly serve as a Senior Leader within the Value Chain Innovation Team at Bimbo Bakeries USA. She constantly strive for excellence and look for creative advantages in the field.

Rachel Sheerin

Rachel Sheerin is an award-winning keynote speaker and emcee who has been described as “The Brene Brown of Burnout” who energizes and engages audiences with her signature blend of humor and authenticity. Named Speaker of the Year by NACE, Rachel shares her insights as a professional behavioral analyst to help attendees achieve success they love. With her viral TEDx talk entitled “How to Burnout and Be Successful”, Rachel’s served audiences from Spain to Seattle to 160+ Zoom rooms and takes her margaritas on the rocks. You can learn more about Rachel, her podcast and her very cute dog at www.rachelsheerin.com

Accommodations

• 

  Loews Chicago O’Hare

  LIMITED AVAILABILITY
  

  5300 N River Road
  Rosemont, IL 60018

  Room Rate:
  $219 Single/Double – Click on the button below to make your reservations online or call (877)-868-9134. The reservation number group code is WIINO1.

  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. Warm wood, garden greens and touches of cool concrete honor the city’s parks and architecture and, most importantly, provide a soothing, residential-style oasis for your stay. Enjoy an onsite art gallery features a revolving lineup of works by local Chicago artists; 24-hour fitness center and convenient location just minutes away from the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, home to more than 100 luxury outlet stores.

  Book Online

• Surrounding Hotel Options

  Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago O’Hare – Rosemont
  5500 N. River Road
  Rosemont, IL 60018
  www.oharerosemont.embassysuites.com

  DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago O’Hare – Rosemont
  5460 N. River Road
  Rosemont, IL 60018
  www.chicagoohareairportrosemont.doubletree.com

Reviews from Past Women in Industry Conferences