More than 500 professionals are expected to fill Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City on Wednesday, Oct. 28, as the Northwest Indiana Influential Women’s Association returns with its annual Professional Women’s Conference, a full day running from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. built around keynote talks, breakout sessions and networking for women across Northwest Indiana and beyond.
The event is presented by NWIIWA and carries the theme “One Day. Lasting Impact,” with organizers describing the conference as designed to help women across roles and career stages strengthen skills and build professional relationships, according to Building Indiana Business. Andrea Pearman, executive director of the Northwest Indiana Influential Women’s Association, said the conference offers “a full day of learning, inspiration and connection,” per the same report. The gathering is supported by corporate sponsors and community partners, and is aimed at women across roles, industries and career stages, according to NWIIWA.
This year’s agenda includes two keynote presentations and nine breakout sessions covering leadership, career development, communication, time management, social media and artificial intelligence, Building Indiana Business reports. Tickets include a keynote breakfast, lunch, vendor access and all sessions, according to Humanitix's event listing, while individual ticket holders select three of the breakout sessions to attend, per the conference’s own sponsorship and ticketing page.
Breakout Topics Range From AI Tools to Tough Conversations
Among the scheduled speakers, Elizabeth Volini will present “What to Actually Do About AI,” featuring demonstrations and guidance on responsible AI applications and actionable goals, the seed report states. Nancy Timboli’s session, “Your Presence Is Powerful,” will explore how mindset, self-awareness and personal presence influence workplace interactions. Tami Evans will present “Plot Twist: Turning Uncertainty Into Momentum,” using humor, storytelling and lessons from unexpected life changes to address uncertainty, perfectionism, adaptability, resilience and confidence.
Mimi Brown’s talk, “Own Your Swag,” will encourage attendees to recognize their strengths, communicate professional value and build authentic confidence and executive presence. Amy Henningfield will present “You Can’t Be What You Can’t See,” focused on confidence, professional visibility and representation. Sabrina A. Wilson’s session, “Build Your Table: Create a Personal Board of Directors to Accelerate Your Career,” will address identifying mentors, sponsors, allies and trusted advisors for career advancement.
More Sessions Tackle Change, Time and Difficult Dialogue
Lesley Neff will present “You See the Success. Do You See the People Behind It?,” examining the people and workplace dynamics behind organizational results. Brittany Good’s session, “Okay, But Why Would I Care? How to Create Social Media Content Your Audience Actually Wants to See,” will share strategies for creating and analyzing audience-focused content.
Teri Healy will present “The Stickiness Factor: Why Big Changes Fail and How to Make Yours Unshakable,” introducing anchoring practices to uncover motivations and make lasting changes. Valentine Torres’ session, “The Return on Your Time,” will encourage attendees to treat time as an investment and prioritize professional goals. Amy McCarthy will present “Leading Uncomfortable Conversations,” offering approaches for navigating feedback, boundaries and disagreements.
Speaker Call Closed in April, Building on Last Year’s Turnout
Organizers had opened applications earlier this year for women interested in delivering a keynote address or leading a breakout session, with submissions due by April 15, according to WKVI. The station reported that sessions would feature speakers sharing actionable insights on leadership, career development and connection across a wide range of industries, alongside information booths and networking opportunities.
The 2026 gathering follows a 2025 edition that drew nearly 500 people to the same Michigan City venue on Nov. 12, according to the La Porte County Herald-Dispatch. That event was built around empowering, celebrating and elevating the impact of women in their business and personal lives, gave attendees the chance to visit with regional businesses and organizations, the paper reported.
Registration, ticket and sponsorship details for the Oct. 28 conference are available through the conference organizers’ website, Building Indiana Business notes.
