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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Ami Colé has officially launched lip liners to complement their award-winning lip oil, so as a wellness girl, journalist, and fan of clean beauty, I had to review them. Truth is, the announcement wasn’t a surprise. Last month, I was invited to a private event at the PUBLIC Hotel in New York City for the launch of its skin-enhancing foundation stick and lip liners, which launched on May 7.
During the exclusive celebration, the Senegal-inspired brand teased the new lip liners, and they gave journalists, beauty experts, and influencers in attendance the opportunity to swatch each one (while Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter played in the background).
As someone who loves a layered lip (lipstick, liner, and gloss), this announcement made me realize founder Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye knows what Ami Colé consumers want. I vividly remember playing in my mother’s makeup case in the early 2000s, looking for liners to experiment with when I wanted to look just like her. We still discuss what liners work best for not just our skin but our lips because, as Black women, we struggle with finding liners and lip kits that complement our various shades.
Ami Colé Soft Shape Lip Liner Shades & Cost
Courtesy
Ami Colé’s soft shape lip liner retails for $18 and comes in five inclusive shades:
- Midnight (Rich Chocolate)
- Café Touba (Hickory Brown)
- Petit Cola (Warm Cinnamon)
- Rose Clay (Rossy Brown)
- Lac Rose (Warm Pink)
How Much Does The Ami Colé Lip Kit Cost?
The lip kits are $36 and they feature the Soft Shape Lip Liner and Lip Treatment Oil housed in a chic tin perfectly designed to fit both products. It also includes a built-in mirror which comes in handy to reapply on the go.
Variations Of The Kit Available
- Rich 001 (Soft Shape Lip Liner in Midnight & Lip Treatment Oil in Reflection)
- Deep 001 (Soft Shape Lip Liner in Café Touba & Lip Treatment Oil in Excellence)
- Medium 001 (Soft Shape Lip Liner in Lac Rose & Lip Treatment Oil in Bliss)
My Honest Review
Courtesy
When I heard that the product had launched, I was genuinely excited because I use it daily. Opening the soft shade lip liners, it was clear that the brand did its homework. The shades were varied, and the liner went on smoothly due to the ingredients, which include Marula Oil, Shea Butter, and vitamin E. Ami Colé has been consistent about its brand messaging and products going back to the motherland, so I was anticipating a moisturizing application when I heard that shea butter was a leading ingredient.
Liners tend to leave a dry finish, which was the furthest thing from that. I’d love to see additional liners to complement lip oil shades such as Romance and 5/17 as they expand. A pencil would also be an excellent addition to the kit so the liner can always be applied with the sharpness needed to achieve a defined lined lip.
My Favorite Shades & Lip Kit
So far, my favorite shades are Café Touba, Midnight, and Petit Cola. I experimented with each shade and various lip oils to complement them. I also tried the lip kit combinations and landed on Deep 001 as my go-to, which includes Café Touba & their Lip Treatment Oil in Excellence.
Where To Shop
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The Soft Shape Lip Liner is available now on Amicole.com and Sephora.com. The Colé Lip Kit is currently available exclusively on Amicole.com.
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Feature image courtesy