'BOSS LADIES': Daytona hosts women's leadership conference. Here are some highlights.
DAYTONA BEACH ― A month ago, organizers Teresa Rand and Jennifer Roberts set a goal of drawing 100 people to the third annual Boss Lady Women's Leadership Conference, a 25% increase over last year's turnout.
On Thursday, opening day of the two-day event at the Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort, Rand drew cheers from the audience when she announced that goal had been met.
Motivational speaker/author Pegine got the crowd even more pumped by delivering a rousing and often laugh-out-loud keynote address to kick off the conference.
Here are highlights from her talk and other observations from opening day.
The theme was 'Called to Lead'
Pegine is the author of several inspirational books including "Called to Lead: Success Strategies for Women." It was the theme of both her keynote address as well as this year's conference.
She got the crowd on their feet several times to recite the mantra: "I have the power. She has the power. We have the power. Yes! Be feisty. Be focused. Be fearless. Have fun!"
Being a 'Boss Lady' is a good thing
Pegine wholeheartedly endorsed the conference's Boss Lady moniker.
"Since you're here and you're boss ladies, clearly I'm in the right place," she said, before leading attendees in chanting: "I. Am. A. Boss. Lady."
It can also benefit Daytona
In an interview with The Daytona Beach News-Journal prior to the event, Pegine said, "When somebody says 'I'm a boss lady,' that's a good thing. That's a good thing for the Daytona economy. That's a good thing for Daytona businesses. It's a good thing for our community, our state and our country when women own their power."
Three keys for success
Pegine in her interview summarized the main points of her speech. "I'm specifically talking about three key strategies that women can use. One is to be powerful and to be you. A lot of times we think we have to conform or change or be someone else, but we don't. We need to be ourselves and be powerful ... to move ourselves to another level.
"The second thing that is really important is what is your power woman mindset? ... Within yourself, you keep getting this calling to lead, you get this sense of 'There's something more for me. I can do this. I can do even more.' Well, that's your inner power self. ... When you know it and you own it, you can share it.
"That leads us to the third piece: Be really clear about what you know (and leverage it). Are you looking to influence, impact and inspire people when you're networking or are you just looking to take? ... The more you give, the more you receive."
The conference featured other speakers, too
According to the schedule, the other speakers included Boss Lady founder Rand, the former Volusia/Flagler Family YMCA CEO who now runs her own practice Rand Consulting, Julie Turpin, chief people person at Brown & Brown Insurance, Jennifer Roberts, owner of Back Porch Communications and Rand's partner in Boss Lady, and Brielle Cotterman, a former Miss America who is now a publicist, "celebrity maker" and life coach.
The conference also featured a vendors showcase, a panel discussion on "Lessons from the Best," several networking sessions and a "Fuel for Your Growth" dinner Thursday night followed by a "Breakfast for Champions" and "Fuel to Keep Going" lunch on Friday.
Contest winner thrilled to attend Boss Lady event
Holly Hill resident Shannon Halfhill is a procurement analyst for Volusia County. She won admission to the conference in a giveaway contest by presenting sponsor LocaliQ, digital marketing arm for The Daytona Beach News-Journal and USA Today Network.
"It's good to be reminded that women matter and can do great things. We're all here to boost each other up," said Halfhill who expressed delight at attending the conference.
She even got a shout-out during Pegine's opening speech.
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This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 'BOSS LADIES': Daytona hosts women's conference. Here's what happened.
