Championing Women Through Collaboration 2025

A collaboration between the Women In Business Network, the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and The Athena Network brings you a one of a kind networking collaboration event for women in business.

Join us for networking and lunch with positive, motivated, like minded professionals, where you will hear from two outstanding inspirational speakers at Aldwickbury Golf Club in Harpenden.

This event is open to members from each of our organisations as well as visitors from local businesses. If you are a female professional this is the event for you.

10.30am Arrival for open networking, guest speakers and lunch, finish by 2.30pm

£35 for members, £45 for non members.

About the organisers:

The Athena Network: led in Bedfordshire & Mid Herts by Kate Cherry. Business networking and development club for female professionals, our business meetings are predominantly online with ad hoc in person events. Our mission, locally, nationally and internationally, is to amplify women and to transform their lives through creating connections, inspiring success with all the tools, inspiration and networking connections that they need to grow. Celebrating 20 years this year.

Women In Business Network (WIBN): led in Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire by Louise Yexley. Having launched in 2005, the Women In Business Network (WIBN) has a long history of effective networking across the UK - it works. WIBN’s purpose is to create communities of business women who build strong business relationships. Members benefit from referring each other’s businesses, mutual support, collaborations and much more. Louise runs 11 face to face local groups in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and has been part of WIBN since 2007 when she ran a marketing business.

Louise is a true believer of collaboration over competition and is delighted to be partnering with Athena and the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce

Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce: represented at this event by Paula Devine. Across Bedfordshire, thousands of people and businesses are members of the Bedfordshire Chamber. Why? Because the Chamber is renowned for helping businesses foster connections, enabling businesses to grow to their full potential. Through networking, marketing, and business support, the Chamber are passionate about helping businesses grow locally, nationally and even internationally.

Announcing our first speaker:

"From Surface to Substance: Elevate Your Networking Game"

Aarti Parmar is an award-winning Certified Brand Strategist, Qualified Coach, Speaker, Awards judge and NED who educates and activates aspiring legacy leaders to mindfully define their business and personal brand. With over a decade experience, she ignites heart-centred founders to use their brand with intent, joy, and meaningful effect.In her talk entitled "From Surface to Substance: Elevate Your Networking Game", Aarti will share practical strategies to network more effectively and intentionally online and offline.Learn how to be omnipresent without being overwhelming, cut through surface-level chatter with an interactive exercise, and maximise your personal brand so that you’re remembered long after the room clears. Perfect for heart-centred business owners ready to connect with clarity, not just collect contacts.