Celebration to laud Niagara women in business
Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce will host its 13th annual International Women’s Day networking luncheon March 2.
Women from across Niagara are invited for an afternoon of shopping, lunch and networking.
Located at the Cherry Hill Club in Ridgeway, the event will run 10: 30 a. m. to 3 p. m.
The luncheon will feature a conversation with local lawyer Leanne Standryk, practising at Lancaster, Brooks & Welch, and a former legal consultant for the Ministry of the Attorney General in Toronto.
Standryk was a member of a local panel instrumental in the organization of the local Courts in the Classroom initiative, developed to educate youth about the justice system.
Standryk also instructs the sport law course for Brock University’s sports management/ sport law mentoring program.
The networking luncheon also provides an opportunity for several local vendors to exhibit their products and services.
The opportunity is instrumental in reinforcing the strength of women entrepreneurs in the workforce, said Dolores Fabiano, executive director of the chamber.
“Support for this event has always been great,” she said.
“At our International Women’s Day ( event) we celebrate and embrace female power, have fun and learn.”
Fabiano said women contribute “so much” to the business community and the event is an opportunity to “celebrate each other.”
“It’s not often that we get to get together and talk about each other’s accomplishments and inspire each other,” she said.
“I think it’s fantastic that we have an opportunity to get together, to listen to an inspiring story and to share our own stories, our own successes, our own challenges and provide each other with that unique support.”
Fabiano said each year the event features a female keynote speaker who highlights how women are “breaking through those barriers” that have historically faced women.
“You’re seeing it more and more — they’ve broken through those barriers, they’re not just doing it now, they’ve done it and now they’re really establishing themselves and it’s inspiring stories not just for women, but for entrepreneurs period,” she said.
Fabiano said the business climate is changing as more women are “in the field.”
“The boardroom dynamics have changed, where women are at the table not as a token woman, but as equals and in larger quantities, and it just brings a different perspective,” she said.
Fabiano said the event is open to anyone, but the focus is on chamber members.
“We do have a business showcase as well, so we’ve got an opportunity for folks to come a little earlier, there’s a showcase where you can do a little shopping, some unique items that are being put out there by local female entrepreneurs. We’ve got a nice lunch and then we’ve got a great conversation with our keynote speaker.”
Tickets are $ 45 for chamber members and $ 50 for nonmembers.
For more information, call 905871- 3803 or email kate@ forteriechamber.com.