Networking Events

Listed below are the various networking events available to Women Leaders Convention attendees. All events are included in your general registration, unless otherwise noted with a * below:

Convention Crew

Opt in to join a "Convention Crew" when completing your Convention registration, and we will randomly connect you with two to three other Convention attendees before you arrive in Phoenix. We'll introduce you to your crew via email before the event allowing you the opportunity to connect in advance and have immediate connections when you get to Convention. No formal programming will be done with this group—this is simply another opportunity to easily meet and connect with new people! 

Welcome Reception

Kick off Convention and connect with your colleagues! Following the reception, attendees are encouraged to continue their conversations and go out to dinner with friends and colleagues at one of the many nearby dining establishments in downtown Boston

Leaders Lounge

Gather with fellow attendees for more networking. Offered on both Sunday and Monday nights after Convention programming has concluded.

Get Fit to Lead

Kick-start your day and bond with fellow Convention attendees with a great workout to kick-start your day! Stay tuned for more details on the specific type of workouts offered.

Party for a Purpose

Sponsored by adidas

Enjoy our tailgate themes party and get! Get ready to challenge your friends at Pop-a-Shot, cornhole, ladder toss, and more fun games—while also bidding on silent auction items to benefit the Women Leaders Foundation Fund. There will be no live program or seated dinner—this is time to connect with your colleagues, while helping to raise funds for fellow member scholarships to all Women Leaders' educational programs, including Institutes, National Convention, and other professional development opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics.

President/Search Firm Roundtable

As a follow-up to the 2017 NCAA Presidential Pledge and Commitment to Promoting Diversity and Gender Equity in Intercollegiate Athletics, we are excited to be partnering with the NCAA Office of Inclusion to once again host the President/Search Firm Roundtable during the Women Leaders National Convention.

The event will have two main parts:

  1. A panel of presidents discussing hiring trends and qualities they look for when hiring athletic directors. 
  2. Round-table discussions with a president, search firm representative, and YOU—female candidates looking to advance!

Eligible attendees are those on the Executive Candidate List who are currently ready and willing to advance into athletic director or commissioner positions. If you are interested and not already on the Executive Candidate List, please learn more and sign-up here. The President/Search Firm Roundtable has no additional cost, although you must be registered for National Convention