Our Networking Guide To Navigate This Summer's Biggest Conferences
ColorComm Conference: June 4 - 7, 2018
For its fifth year, the ColorComm Conference is a PR professionals dream. Literally set in a relaxing paradise, women of color communications executives from Fortune 500 companies and C-suite professionals from the world's top PR firms come together to exchange ideas on development and inclusion. "My experience at the C2 Conference was life-changing, transformative, and needed. I was yearning to see women of color in my field that I could resonate with and grow from, and I got to see over 400 dynamic women. I gained invaluable advice from each session and definitely had some fun in the sun. The millennial passionate about elevating her career would definitely benefit from networking at ColorComm," shared Dominique Fluker, social media manager for WeWork.
Dominique Fluker
She Gained a "Fairy Godmother"
With many women of color attending at different stages of their career, most people seek to find mentorship and friendship at ColorComm. "What I loved about the C2 ColorComm conference was the combination of breakout sessions on mentorship, corporate communication strategies, and social media influencers while being able to celebrate a dynamic group of professional women. During one of the sessions hosted by Hill + Knowlton Strategies titled, 'Do you have a Fairy Godmother?' I realized that I gained one at the conference. Fairy Godmother (n)—a term coined at ColorComm, means a person with great influence who can connect you with the right people and save you years of running in circles. Starkly different from a mentor, a Fairy Godmother can make one phone call and your life could change," explained Dominique.
Have a Media Kit Ready
"If you want to network with someone and know that they are attending, make a mini media kit that includes their photo and a short bio so you're prepared. Networking at ColorComm can be super organic. There's really no specific rhyme or reason but be sure to have an open mind and be accessible," Dominique shared.
Women who are running the marketing and communications efforts for some of our favorite brands are in attendance and if you are looking for a job it's always good to be prepared. "The best spots to meet and connect with people were at the sessions, hotel lobby, and hallways and even at the pool. The best advice I could give is to keep your eyes peeled and to stay ready!" she remembered.
Her Biggest Takeaway from C2 Conference
For its fifth year the C2 Conference is moving from the beaches of Key Biscayne, Florida to Maui, Hawaii hosted at the Ritz Carlton which can be pricey for junior and mid-level attendees who may not get sponsored by their company to attend. Dominique did not stay at the Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne but wishes she did. "If I could do one thing differently, it would be that I would stay at the hotel where the conference was hosted. I could've connected with more women," she explained.
To avoid an expensive lodging experience at the hosting hotel, be sure to use your social network to find roommates to split accommodation costs.
Click Next Page to learn tips & tricks about navigating Blavity's Summit 21 conference:
- How to Network Effectively at Conferences - YouTube ›
- HOW TO NETWORK AT CONFERENCES ›
- Pro Tip: How To Maximize Networking At Conferences ›
- How to network at conferences even if you're not a natural — Quartz ... ›
- 6 Secrets to Better Networking at Conferences | Dave Kerpen | Pulse ... ›
- How to Network at a Conference: 15 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow ›
- 5 Ways to Make Conference Networking Easier ›
- 21 Networking Tips That Will Rock Your Next Conference ›
- How to Network at a Conference: 101 Tips From Marketing's Best ›
- How to Make Networking at Conferences Feel Less Icky ›
- Why Conferences Are the Best Place to Network - The Muse ›
- Networking Conferences Statistics ›
- Top Conferences for Networks and Communications ›
Brittney Oliver is a marketing communications professional from Greater Nashville. Over the past three years, Brittney has built her platform Lemons 2 Lemonade to help Millennials turn life's obstacles around. Her platform is known for its networking mixers, which has brought over 300 NYC young professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives together to turn life's lemons into lemonade. Brittney is a contributing writer for Fast Company and ESSENCE, among other media outlets.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage