About this Event
International Women's Day Conference & Exhibition
Join us for an inspiring and empowering event celebrating women's achievements and promoting gender equality. The International Women's Day Conference & Exhibition will take place at Millennium Point - Birmingham. This in-person event brings together influential speakers, thought-provoking discussions, and a vibrant exhibition showcasing the talents of women from various fields. Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired by remarkable women from around the world. Come and be part of this incredible celebration of women's accomplishments and the journey towards a more inclusive society.
The Event is split in two, a ticketed Conference and a free to attend Expo, which includes and afternoon session specifcally for young females.
9:00 AM till 10:00 AM REGISTRATION & NETWORKING
Get in early and meet other likeminded individuals for a hot drink and pastries. Explore the Expo and find about all of the important work taking place to promote women in Business and the workplace.
PAID TICKET CONFEERENCE
The International Women’s Day Conference will be a dynamic gathering dedicated to empowering women and driving meaningful change. Featuring insightful talks and panels, the event will explore critical topics such as allyship, leadership in tech and AI, neurodiversity, and women's health in leadership.
Attendees will gain valuable insights on breaking unconscious bias, fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace, and excelling as minorities in their respective fields. This conference is a call to action—moving beyond advocacy to tangible impact, equipping individuals with the tools to create a more inclusive and equitable future.
10:00 – 10:15 | Opening Address
Welcome & Setting the Tone
- Host welcome
- Purpose of the conference
- What delegates should expect to take away from the day
10:15 – 10:55 | Panel 1 (40 mins)
Beyond the Buzzwords: What Gender Equity Looks Like on a Monday Morning
Session focus
A practical, no-nonsense conversation about what real gender equity looks like in everyday organisational life — beyond strategy documents and campaigns.
Key takeaways
- A checklist for embedding equity into day-to-day decision-making
- How to spot performative vs meaningful action
- What leaders can change immediately inside their teams
10:55 – 11:10 | Comfort Break
11:10 – 11:50 | Panel 2 (40 mins)
Promotion or Potential? Fixing the Broken Career Ladder
Session focus
This panel tackles why women stall at middle management and how organisations can redesign progression, performance and promotion processes to be fair and transparent.
Key takeaways
- How to audit promotion pathways for bias
- Practical alternatives to informal progression
- How to identify and sponsor talent earlier
11:50 – 12:30 | Panel 3 (40 mins)
The Flex Factor: Designing Work That Works for Women (and Everyone Else)
Session focus
Flexible working is no longer optional. This session explores how to design flexibility that supports performance, progression and retention — without career penalties.
Key takeaways
- Flexible models that work in real organisations
- How to redesign roles, not just hours
- Language leaders can use to normalise flexibility
12:30 – 1:30 | Lunch Break
- Lunch served - Hot Lunch and Dessert
- Networking and exhibition visits
1:30 – 2:10 | Panel 4 (40 mins)
The Pay Gap Isn’t Just About Pay
Session focus
A deeper look at the structural causes of the gender pay gap — from job design and progression to bonuses and part-time penalties — and how to fix them sustainably.
Key takeaways
- How to interpret pay gap data properly
- Actions that tackle root causes, not symptoms
- What organisations often miss in pay reviews
2:10 – 2:50 | Panel 5 (40 mins)
From Ally to Action: How Leaders Actually Move the Needle
Session focus
This panel focuses on what leaders actually need to do to create change — using influence, budget and authority rather than good intentions.
Key takeaways
- What meaningful allyship looks like in practice
- How to challenge bias without backlash
- Actions leaders can personally commit to
2:50 – 3:05 | Comfort Break
3:05 – 3:45 | Closing Panel (40 mins)
Metrics That Matter: Measuring What Actually Changes Outcomes
Session focus
What gets measured gets managed — but many organisations track the wrong things. This session focuses on data that drives real outcomes for women.
Key takeaways
- Metrics beyond representation
- How to track progression, retention and experience
- Questions boards and leadership teams should be asking
3:45 – 4:00 | Closing Remarks & Call to Action
- Key themes from the day
- Clear next-step actions for organisations
- Signposting to post-event resources and next year
Check out the full line up and purchase your tickets here: www.IWDExpo.com
FREE TO ATTEND EXPO - This part of the event will feature a number of exhibition stands as well as seminar stage delivering content to individuals, small businesses and young females. This is completely free to attend and we have content running throughout the day.
For more for more information about all of the sessions we are running, please take a look at our website. www.IWDExpo.com
We look forward to welcoming you all there, don't forget it's not just for women, we need more men in the room to create a greater alliance for gender parity.
10:00 – 10:20 | Expo Stage Welcome & How to Win the Day
Opening Introduction
What this session is about
A warm, high-energy welcome setting the tone for the expo. Attendees will be guided on how to use the space effectively, who the sessions are for, and how to turn conversations into opportunities.
What attendees will take away
- How to plan their day around the expo
- Where to find support, funding and advice
- Confidence to network and ask for help
- How to stay connected post-event
10:20 – 11:00 | Session 1 (40 mins)
Women in Business: Building It, Growing It, Surviving It
What this session is about
An honest conversation with women running businesses at different stages — from startup to scale — sharing the realities behind the highlight reel.
Key takeaways
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Practical growth strategies that don’t burn you out
- What successful women wish they’d known earlier
11:00 – 11:40 | Session 2 (40 mins)
Show Me the Money: Funding Female Business Without the Fluff
What this session is about
This session demystifies funding — grants, loans, investment and bootstrapping — and explains what funders are actually looking for.
Key takeaways
- The different funding routes available
- How to prepare before applying for funding
- What stops women from accessing finance — and how to overcome it
11:55 – 12:35 | Session 3 (40 mins)
Financial Fitness: Taking Control of Your Money, Business and Future
What this session is about
A practical session focused on money confidence — personal and business — without jargon or judgement.
Key takeaways
- Understanding cash flow, pricing and profit
- How to pay yourself properly
- Planning for tax, pensions and long-term security
12:35 – 1:15 | Lunch Break (40 mins)
- Lunch
- Networking
1:15 – 1:55 | Session 4 (40 mins)
Climbing the Ladder Without Losing Yourself
What this session is about
For women working in corporates, hospitality or professional services, this session explores how to progress without conforming or burning out.
Key takeaways
- How to make yourself visible without self-promotion fatigue
- Navigating workplace politics
- Knowing when to push, pivot or pause
1:55 – 2:35 | Session 5 (40 mins)
Purpose with a Paycheque: Women in Social Enterprise & the Third Sector
What this session is about
This panel highlights women creating impact-led organisations and explores how to balance purpose, sustainability and personal wellbeing.
Key takeaways
- How to build financially sustainable impact models
- Funding options unique to social enterprise
- Turning lived experience into social change
2:50 – 3:30 | Session 6 (40 mins)
Next Gen Women: Confidence, Careers & Creating Your Own Path
What this session is about
A future-focused session for young women, students and early-career professionals navigating education, work and entrepreneurship.
Key takeaways
- Career paths beyond traditional routes
- Building confidence early
- Making smart choices around skills, money and opportunities
3:30 – 4:00 | Expo Close: Community, Connections & What’s Next
Closing Session
What this session is about
A celebratory close bringing the community together, spotlighting exhibitors, and encouraging attendees to stay connected beyond the event.
What attendees will take away
- Clear next steps and support routes
- Introductions to networks and programmes
- Motivation and momentum to act
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Millennium Point - Birmingham, Curzon Street, Birmingham, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00 to GBP 150.00
