“I’ve never felt more welcome to a circle of contacts than when I connected with members of ConnectW,” says Zanna Smith, ConnectW co-director of community marketing. “There is no question that the support from the members has been instrumental in keeping me connected with my business community and advancing my career outlook.”
ConnectW enables women to expand their professional networks, gain visibility for their businesses, build leadership skills through involvement opportunities, and further their careers through professional development and educational programming. The organization brings together a supportive community of businesswomen in Central Oregon focused on empowering one another to grow both professionally and personally.
Established in 1986 in Bend, ConnectW is running strong, gaining new members monthly. The non-profit organization is facilitated by a board of directors who bring solid business backgrounds in their industries and a passion for serving the community in their respective roles within ConnectW.
“2023 has been a growth year for us,” according to Ginger Weeden, president of ConnectW. “We gained an impressive number of new members from a diversity of businesses throughout the Bend, Redmond, Sisters, and Sunriver areas. They are attracted to our programming — a mixture of personal development and professional development — along with the social aspects of our events.”
The organization provides three events per month for members and guests. On the second Thursday of each month, there is a Munch & Mingle lunch held at a local Bend restaurant. Every third Thursday features the Monthly Meeting, which includes an educational program and lots of networking time. An additional members-only event, Cocktail Connections, represents another opportunity for members to socialize and celebrate successes. This evening event is hosted at various member venues like storefronts, offices, homes or restaurants.
Beginning in the month of September, the organization has expanded its events to Redmond, adding a monthly Redmond Munch & Mingle event. Interested business people are encouraged to watch the events calendar on the connectw.org website for registration.
The programming director Brandie Foster invites speakers from throughout the West Coast to present to the Monthly Meeting audience. This year’s presentations have covered a wide range of topics including improving productivity, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Recent speaker Shelley Kay, owner of Shelley Kay Coaching, commented, “When I recently presented on ‘Being a LinkedIn Thought Leader’, I found the ConnectW audience to be engaged and authentic. They had interesting questions and great enthusiasm to learn.”
Local businesswoman Nicole Nelson, energy medicine practitioner and energy management coach, will present to the ConnectW audience on September 20. Nelson’s topic is Find Your Freedom, a topic to assist audience members in developing a concrete strategy to commit to the right things, the most impactful things, every time in order to get all the results they’ve dreamed of without sacrificing their health, happiness, or sanity.
The meeting will be held at Open Space Event Studios, 220 NE Lafayette Ave. in Bend, from 5:30pm to 8pm. Interested guests can register at https://connectw.org/events; the deadline for registration is September 15. A catered meal will be served as a part of the $35 member registration fee. The non-member registration fee is $45.
Sponsorship opportunities are numerous and are good investments in helping members highlight their businesses and keep them visible in the business community. Lynn Spinoglio, Commercial Relationship Manager at First Interstate Bank, had this to say about her membership, “I have had the pleasure of being a part of an incredible group of like-minded women for the past two years and I can’t recommend ConnectW enough. Not only have I expanded my professional network, but I have also made lifelong connections with professionals who share similar goals and aspirations. These women are genuinely interested in helping one another succeed. ConnectW has not only helped grow my network, but it has also fostered personal growth and provided a sense of belonging within this community. If you’re looking to boost your professional life and surround yourself with motivated and inspiring women, ConnectW is an absolute must.”
Professionals interested in getting involved with ConnectW as a speaker, sponsor, or attendee can find more details on the website. Join for an opportunity to expand your network and connect with like-minded businesswomen in Central Oregon.
