There has been a lot of talk this past week (and most concentrated this past weekend..) surrounding the upcoming 'ShesConnected' Conference - it is touted as:
Connecting brands and digital women: ShesConnected is holding a full day, hands-on conference and workshop to connect top brands with Canada’s most influential and powerful digital women.
I have the privilege of saying that I have been invited to attend. I had to apply - along of hundreds of others - and was one of only 100 women selected. Yes, only 100 spots were available. Hundreds of women vying for a spot - yes, as you can imagine - that is a recipe for disaster. Women at the best of times are not always the most... hmmm... I'm not going to say it - you get where this is going!
What I am terribly disappointed in *and for transparency I have included that I was invited to attend the She's Connected and BlissdomCanada Conferences* is how the very same women who outright dissed @Sheisconnected saying such things as 'not wanting to have companies 'pimp' their brands to them' - then jumped on the 'I want/need/have to go' bandwagon: as soon as the SWAG was announced... Some of them did end up getting an invite - while others (with more than 2 followers and yes, based on that alone are 'more connected') did not. That is a disappointment. Yes, everyone loves (and deserves!) 'free' stuff - especially really cool free stuff. I would be a liar if I said I didn't.
With all the attention surrounding bullying kids, this is what we see...a group of grown women - acting like children...it is shameful! I’ve been given the honour of attending this conference - and able to say that I am a ‘connected woman of influence‘; yet If one of my clients read something I have said that, by all accounts, appeared to make fun of, talk down to, or bullied another woman - well I would not have any clients left.
At the end of the day - this (or any!) is their event - and they can invite whomever they choose. I know I do - and no, sometimes I don't spell out my reasons; it's my event. Sometimes regardless of how hard you try - you just cannot please everyone. The same goes for being included in or invited to events. Who doesn't love getting an invite - there have been many I've have the privilege of attending, and just as many that I've had to decline - and equally just not been invited. Yes it stinks - but I don't however make the ones that are going (or are not, which is key here...) feel bad.
Amanda
Inspire Marketing: Creating a difference
(email) amanda@inspiremarketing.ca
(web) www.inspiremarketing.ca
(blog) http://inspiremarketinghamilton.blogspot.com
(twitter) @InspireHamilton
Great post.
ReplyDeleteI only found out about the conference a day or two before the invites were sent out but didn't apply because I knew I couldn't go even if I was invited.
The only thing that bothers me, and I firmly believe would've stopped all the hoopla from even starting, is that the gang at She is Connected haven't posted the criteria they used to choose who was invited.
I've queried several times on Twitter about this to @sheisconnected but have received no response.
I agree with you that it's there conference and they can invite whomever they choose, but a transparent process is needed for next year.
Congrats Amanda! Very well written post - I wish I could meet you, but I don't believe I've been invited. I wanted to go to Blissdom, but by then I'll be 36 weeks pregnant and have never carried that far. Have fun next week!
ReplyDeleteAgree.... Very Well written.. I have to say that this is very very true..."With all the attention surrounding bullying kids, this is what we see...a group of grown women - acting like children...it is shameful"
ReplyDeleteIt is truely shameful that people get away with being a bully... it is about time... we all stand up to BULLIES!!!