WE Convention: Reviving the Tradition of Elite Private Clubs

The Women's Empowerment Council and Modern Private Clubs

Modern women's entrepreneurial communities trace their roots to the exclusive gentlemen's clubs that emerged in Great Britain in the 17th-century. Initially reserved for men, these clubs served as meeting places for aristocrats, politicians, bankers, and entrepreneurs. White's, founded in 1693, is a notable example and even boasts Prince William as one of its members.

By the 19th century, women had begun establishing their own private clubs, focusing on feminist ideas, empowering women, and achieving gender equality. The Women's Empowerment Council and their WE Convention are a perfect modern day example. This extensive community unites businesswomen from various countries and fields, fostering the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and advice for navigating predominantly male environments. Their collective goal is to assist fellow women in succeeding and leading in their industries, as well as expanding internationally.

As part of its educational outreach, WEC provides a platform for international communication, ensuring equal access to career opportunities regardless of gender, nationality, or place of residence. The community is active in more than fifty countries around the world, and it includes hundreds of successful women leaders with a diverse range of specialities. WEC is valuable for women just starting their careers and seasoned businesswomen alike, offering opportunities for professional growth, skill enhancement, networking, and making meaningful connections.

WEC is not merely a business community; it's a chance to find like-minded women, mentors, and potential partners. Mila Semeshkina, an entrepreneur and the founder of WEC, is passionate about helping businesswomen come together through educational conferences, private events, public talks, webinars, and major events like the legendary WE Convention.

What Happens at a WE Convention? Here's What You Need to Know!

The WE Convention is well known across the women's business community. This event presents a unique blend of convention and conference, often hosted in luxurious Dubai hotels. The two-day program includes a wide variety of speakers and startup presentations on the first day, followed by relaxation and networking on the second day.

With over two thousand successful women, celebrities, and media personalities in attendance, the event facilitates the exchange of experiences, knowledge, and the expansion of social circles. This format brings businesswomen closer to their dream careers and professional fulfilment. Similar to historical gentlemen's clubs, WE Convention serves as a platform for networking and having meaningful interactions with world-class experts.

The event has adopted a “from women to women” format, emphasizing the power of sisterhood. The organizers have prioritized the creation of a convenient platform where participants not only receive much needed support, but also contribute to women's empowerment. The highlight of a WE Convention is the intensive networking and communication with well-known individuals from different industries.

The most recent WE Convention, held in Dubai on March 7th-8th, coincided with International Women's Day. Renowned figures such as Maye Musk, Natalia Vodianova, Tatyana Bakalchuk, and Mila Semeshkina attended the event.

Entrepreneurs find the startup scene at WE Convention particularly interesting. There participants can present their projects to future investors and partners. While projects from various fields are accepted, those in online education, medicine, engineering, retail, and design are the most popular.

WE Convention also hosts public talks covering new market trends, technological advancements, and the role of women globally. The event provides additional opportunities for participants to raise awareness about their brands.

Participants have the opportunity not just to join panel discussions, but also to interact directly with the CEOs of startups, as well as a wide variety of well-known speakers. Every WE Convention attracts many aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs, startup enthusiasts, business owners, technology developers, and philanthropists.

When is the Next WE Convention?

The next WE Convention is scheduled for April 2024. It will feature keynote speakers such as the writer Irina Khakamada, the founder of a well-known mental health clinic HH Sayyida Basma Al Said, reality TV star and entrepreneur Sara Al Madani, the UAE's first female aviation engineer Dr. Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi, and Dona Raz Levy, head of Google's public relations in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. Pre-registration for this event is already available on the official website.