Tuesday 28th of June 2011 and the Sojourn Bar in the lobby of the James Cook Grand Chancellor on The Terrace in Wellington is buzzing with the voices of several dozen businesswomen who have gathered from around the country for a drink prior to the Her Business Bloom 2011 Forum, starting the next morning.
 
Bloom is a two day conference for New Zealand Businesswomen, featuring workshops, networking and an amazing array of inspiring and capable speakers from a range of industries nationwide.
 
8.30am Wednesday morning and over one hundred women are collecting their name tags, checking out the contents in the sponsored goodie bags, finding a seat in pink washed room and reacquainting with any women they have met at previous Bloom forums.
 
Kay Gregory returns as the MC for both the two day event and the awards dinner, having hosted for the past 3 events Kay is great at leading the delegates, welcome and interaction throughout.
 
Opening the conference was Phil O’Reilly from Business NZ detailing how a recession will bring out the survivors in business.  Phil covered his believe that a good business will actually trade better in a recessive environment as quality will always be remembered long after price is forgotten.
 
The first networking exercise of the day begins as each and every delegate has 60 seconds to deliver their elevator presentation from the podium (the question you would ask of the person who could most help your business if you stepped onto an elevator and found yourself travelling 10 floors with them!)
 
A brief break in proceedings for Annah Stretton to speak on ‘The Changing Face of Business’, always well received, Annah spoke on always moving forward and re-evaluating and very importantly collaborating!  About to open two new retail sites, a Chameleon by Annah Stretton store in Nelson and a totally new concept in Boutique shopping, Birds of a Feather in Barton Street, Hamilton.
 
Inspiring words from Jodie Hedley-Ward on how she came to build the ‘You Sexy Mother’ brand resonated well with her audience.  Empowering and motivating us all to dream big and just get out there and make a start!

A J Park gave us advice on what we can and cannot do around the use of the Rugby World Cup brand later this year, in terms of promotions and advertising.

With an amazing wealth of knowledge in Marketing, Steve Bayliss, the ex marketing manager for Air NZ  took the blame for getting Rob Fyfe naked and covered in paint for the ‘Nothing to Hide’ campaign.

The day is rounded out with make-up tips and a make-up demonstration from a very acomplished Phoenix Renata of Phoenix Cosmetics, who reminds us all that our eyebrows really are important!

Returning to the conferencing floor at 7pm for pre-dinner drinks, the room is transformed with delicate orchids and tea light candles.  Anticipation is high as we sit down to great food and a range of Kim Crawford Wines. The awards are presented and Cilla Hegarty is announced the 2011 Her Business women of the year 2011 and the evening rounds out with a performance from Miss A.K.A. Ainslie Allen.

Day two began with a presentation by Jacinda Ardern, a Labour List MP who has had a very interesting life journey – sharing her story with a series of powerful global images to help set the scene.

Laurie Foon of Starfish fame, detailed the reasoning and beliefs behind her commitment to ecologically friendly fashion.  Everything from fashionable footwear to the history behind her relationship with The Body Shop.
 
The Her Businesswoman of the Year 2010 Casey Martin of Eagars Funerals, spoke on her journey from jockey to funeral director. Managing to insert messages of social responsibility along with a little humor into an industry not renowned for this. 
 
The forum was closed by a multi media presentation by Tim Alpe of Jucy Rentals.  Tim was one of the most anticipated speakers of the forum and certainly gave everyone a lot to think about in terms of marketing using social media and ensuring that you know your market and developing your product to fit.
 
All in all an exciting and motivating two days, that we were all sorry had to finish.  With comments such as "I just don't want to wait another year till the next Bloom", we know that our delegates got what they came for and hope to see them all again next year.
 
Janine Boon