My mindset now is all about investing in opportunities that add value to my life, aid in my personal and entrepreneurial growth, enhance mindfulness and hopefully meet and network with like-minded people throughout my journey. Do you have similar priorities that you’re working towards achieving this year? If so, here are seven conferences to attend that will help nurture your creative and entrepreneurial goals – one in which I’ve attended and others that are on my wish list.
SXSW (South by Southwest)
Dates: March 9 – 18, 2018
SXSW is an interactive music and film festival that people from all over the world interested in the arts, travel to Austin, Texas to attend. With events including everything from networking and concerts to speeches and workshops, this conference is hosted at multiple venues throughout the city and spans for 10 days. Expect to see a big range of activities from the likes of past events including singer, Kelis, serving jerk ribs from a food truck to a keynote speech from Barack Obama. Tickets range from $825 to $1650, although there are some discounts and free events available to attendees.
Well Read Black Girl
Dates: Pending
Attracting more than 250 Black women fromacross the country, Well Read Black Girl Festival was launched in 2017 and gathers a group of authors, writers and fellow book fans in the community to connect and network at the Brooklyn event. This day-long festival provides attendees with a full day of workshops and panels discussing topics on writing and self-care. Although a date hasn’t been announced just yet, it’s likely to occur again later this year after the success of their inaugural event.
Summit21
Dates: June 2018
Created by the CEO of Blavity, Morgan DeBaun, Summit21 (formerly known as EmpowerHer) will focus on 2k Black women entrepreneurs, makers, influencers, and creators. This two-day conference will provide attendees with workshops, masterclasses, and free giveaways, as well as discuss topics such as money, beauty, health and creativity. An exact date hasn’t been established just yet, but according to DeBaun’s Instagram, expect the event to take place this summer in Atlanta.
Women of Power Summit
Dates: March 7 – 10, 2018
The Women of Power Summit is described as “a professional leadership conference designed especially for executive women of color.” Taking place at Disney’s Yacht &Beach Club Resorts in Orlando, Florida, this conference and will bring together over 1,000 influential businesswomen from across the country. Tickets range from $1295 to $1695.
AfroTech
Dates: November 10 – 11, 2018
Taking place in San Francisco, AfroTech is a conference that presents the founders and employees of some of the fastest-growing tech startups in which they’ll discuss the tactics they use to grow their businesses and touch on a variety of other topics including venture funding, growth hacking, user design workshops and more.
Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit
Dates: June 6 – 9, 2018
Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit is a 3-day conference that brings together more than 1,000 CEOs, investors and business experts to share knowledge make business deals and provide attendees with resources pertaining to entrepreneurship, small business, money, and careers. Tickets range from $175 to $7,500.
Forbes Women’s Summit
Dates: June 12 – 13, 2017
This annual event’s goal is to be “a source of inspiration and support that connects and empowers women around the world.” Held in New York, New York, Forbes Women’s Summit will bring together a diverse range of female speakers to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, health, education, and philanthropy. In order to maintain an intimate conversation among attendees, the conference is by invitation only but you can sign up to be notified when registration is open.