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‘In it together,’ shares Langley panel of ‘powerful’ women

Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce held its second annual Women in Business event on Thursday.
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It was all about inspiration and empowerment.

A few men, but predominantly women gathered at the Cascades Casino and Coast Hotel last Thursday for an evening focused on females in the Langley business community.

There were about 150 guests in attendance for the second annual Women in Business event held by the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce, said event coordinator Jaclyn Van Den Berg.

Last year’s event was (Unconventional) Women in Business, this year’s event was (Powerful) Women in Business and next year the chamber hope to do (Super) Women in Business with a high profile keynote speaker, Van Den Berg said.

The evening included a networking session complete with cocktails, appetizers, and selfies. But the highlight of the night was a panel presentation led by Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation’s executive director Vivian Smith.

Panelists included YWCA Metro Vancouver’s CEO Janet Austin, serial entrepreneur Meredith Powell, and public relations professional Brittany Whitmore.

“The most empowering moment for me was looking around the room and seeing so many amazing Langley business women in one place,” Van Den Berg said.

“We had councillors, small business owners, non-profit executive directors, employees still on maternity leave, full tables filled with staff members and more all under one roof hearing the same inspirational messages,” she said.

The biggest takeaway was that women are all in this together, “fighting the same battles, facing the same challenges, and all trying to find the magical solution to ‘work-life balance’ no matter if we are married, have kids, have two jobs, etc.” Van Den Berg said.

“I think everyone left with the similar sense that we are more like than we are different and if we all keep that in mind, we can make a huge impact.”

Her goal in hosting the Women in Business series was to bring the business women in Langley together “to connect with each other, provide inspiring and interesting speakers, and include a little fun as well – and I think we definitely achieved that,” she said.

“CONNECTION – INSPIRATION – FUN … I think I need to save that tag line for next year.”

Coming up for chamber

Upcoming on the chamber’s agenda is Sept. 19’s monthly chamber meeting. Click HERE for details, as well as a lunch and learn on Wednesday, Sept. 20, and a special lunch on Sept. 29.

Added to the agenda is a new Business After Hours mixer on Thursday, Sept. 28.

“Hosted on a monthly basis by Langley Chamber members, the new Business After Hours Mixers are the perfect opportunity to connect with Langley’s business community in a casual and fun environment,” said chamber president Jack Nicholson.

The September mixer will take place at WestEast Y (4051 200th St.) from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

“On top of the great networking and a tour of WestEast Y, the brand new Vancouver-style business accelerator and co-working space, guests will enjoy complimentary refreshments, wine tastings, a photo booth, and the chance to win door prizes,” he said.

This event is free for guests to attend, but a pre-registration is required through the chamber office at 604-371-3770 or online at www.langleychamber.com.

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Roxanne Hooper

About the Author: Roxanne Hooper

I began in the news industry at age 15, but honestly, I knew I wanted to be a community journalist even before that.
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