This year will see Innovation Guelph hold its ninth annual International Women’s Day event, this time in a virtual format.
The event will feature a keynote speech by TSN anchor Kate Beirness. Beirness, who was part of the first all-female anchor team on SportsCentre, will speak on the challenges facing women in a traditionally male-dominated sphere. Her speech will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
The International Women’s Day event will also honour local female entrepreneurs and professionals with its Women of Distinction Award. This award has been given out to women in Guelph over the past 25 years. Last year’s honourees included psychotherapist and writing teacher Melinda Burns, singer Rachel Guthrie, midwife Leslie Howarth and caterer Ingrid Von Cube.
There will also be an optional networking session and vendor marketplace for local woman-run businesses. Whether it be through business card printing or exchanging social media handles, the ability to make connections with professionals in a variety of industries is one of the main appeals of business and charitable events like this.
Proceeds of the event will go to the YMCA of Three Rivers’ programs, Safe Sisters, Teenage Parents Program and Encore, which are all aimed at women in need.
Innovation Guelph will hold their livestreamed event on International Women’s Day, March 8. Video of the discussion will be available 48 hours afterwards.
