AIGA WOMEN LEAD happy hours and event series
We partnered with AIGA for the most eventful year ever, a series of panels and happy hours for their Women Lead initiative. Four happy hours, one for each quarter to fill out an entire calendar year, and three panel events. We wanted our events to feel different than other similar events in Seattle. We wanted to create a safe environment where women could be vulnerable and raw. We wanted to have conversations and networking events that women felt were helpful.
The first, Bring a Buddy, was about inviting men into the conversation about allyship. When Sh!t Happens was a more straightforward talk about navigating HR, possible job searches, and how to navigate difficult circumstances and issues. Finally, 3 stages of a career was a more intimate small group setting where participants could talk to panelists in a more informal way about long-term career goals and planning. The events were wildly successful and every one sold out.
CREATING ENGAGING EVENTS FOR SEATTLE AREA WOMEN DESIGNERS
In the first event, attendees received a classic bingo card to play along in an ice-breaker around empathy relating to workplace experiences. Bring a buddy for the price of one, women were given an extra ticket to invite male allies ready to elevate professional awareness and presence. A panel discussion followed. Other events broke from the typical panel discussion as well, we wanted these to be more interactive and foster an environment where women would feel comfortable speaking out and asking difficult questions.
