Are you making your 2019 resolutions list yet? Well, if so, here’s one to add to the list: do more public speaking engagements this year. Why? There are myriad reasons, but in general, speaking engagements will make you more visible in your industry, increase networking opportunities and, in short, help you to become a better leader. What’s more, the more women onstage at conferences and events, the better it is for ALL women.

In an effort to get our members and Inner Circle readers visibility from public speaking opportunities, Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) is partnering with Innovation Women, a self-service online platform that connects entrepreneurial and technical women with event managers to provide gender balance onstage at conferences and events. Currently, Innovation Women has more 4,800 members and has placed speakers internationally at conferences, corporate events, universities and more.

Innovation Women handles speaking opportunities for both paid and unpaid speaking roles — i.e., speakers who are motivated by visibility for themselves and their organizations. Unlike a traditional speaker bureau, invitations go directly to members, and speakers keep any fees accrued. Innovation Women offers a variety of opportunities, including featured speakers, panelists, fireside chats, startup pitch judges, day mentors, expert media sources, etc.

Women can sign up for a yearly membership to Innovation Women, and right now, the bureau is offering a 50 percent discount on its membership fee through Dec. 31. Use the code WIRLCDEC to sign up for a speaker profile at innovationwomen.com. (And while you’re there, check out tutorials on how to sign up and ultimately optimize your career.)

Jump into the New Year with new opportunities!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at mcampanelli@napco.com.