2023 Annual Conference, Portland OR

NAWIC’s Annual Conference was held in Portland OR this year August 9th-12th. This is our national conference where we meet up with about 500 other NAWIC members from all over the United States. Boise had 10 ladies in attendance this year. The keynote speakers were wonderful and we had a lot of breakout sessions to choose from during the 3 days. We even had some time to shop and have a little fun at the beach on Saturday. It’s great networking, teambuilding and bonding time for our chapter members.

This year was the 68th Annual Conference and had a lot to offer in the way of education and key note speakers.

Welcome Party

Wednesday evening was an offsite welcome party at Deschutes Brewery in downtown Portland and sponsored by Dovetail Workwear. They premiered the limited edition NAWIC brew.

Key Note Speakers

Our opening Key Note Speaker was Dr. Rhianna Rogers

What You Need to Know About the Infrastructure Act and How We Can Innovate Further Utilizing DEI
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes $550 billion in new investments for roads and bridges, water infrastructure, resilience, internet, and more. It also represents an opportunity for the sector to innovate its approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). With the Infrastructure Act and relevant DEI provisions as the backdrop, Dr. Rhianna C. Rogers – inaugural director of the Center to Advance Racial Equity Policy at the RAND Corporation – discussed ways to truly incorporate and advance DEI ideals and outcomes across Act projects and beyond. She offered case studies reflecting ways to employ equity-centered strategies that lead to effective solutions.

Our Industry Luncheon Key Note Speaker was Jamie McMillan, KickAss Careers

Keynote Topic: Smiling in the Face of Adversity: Living a Life of Passion & Purpose
In this engaging and inspirational session, Jamie shares her unconventional path from “struggle to triumph” as a bored high-school student with ADHD to finding the wonderful world of trades and becoming an advocate for women in male-dominated industries. As a multi-award winner, Jamie is the perfect example of what happens when we find our true purpose, lean on those who lift us up and disregard those who pull us down. After all, success is the best revenge! Through KickAss Careers Jamies travels approximately 30 weeks a year providing engaging keynote presentations and workshops to more than 50,000 students, parents, educators and employers each year across North America. Her efforts have gained international notoriety for opening doors and minds to the possibilities of well-paid careers in skilled trades and technology sectors.

Our Closing Brunch Key Note Speaker was Shannon Vogel, Reach Social

Shannon Vogel is the proud founder and owner of Reach Social, a certified Social Media Strategist, and 25-year veteran of the construction, flooring and interior design industry.

After more than 10 years in flooring sales, interior design and working for home builders Shannon changed her focus to the marketing opportunities unfolding online.  In 2008, Shannon conceptualized and launched one of the flooring industry’s first and most successful blogs, essentially introducing the industry to the power of social marketing.  Since then, she has made a career of Professional Social Media, effectively strengthening the brand awareness of members of the construction industry across North America.

Keynote Topic: Empowering Women
When’s the last time you had a really good peptalk that sent you back out into the world feeling more empowered? Following the theme of the conference, this presentation is all about empowering yourself and each other to be the best versions of ourselves. Come get the pep talk you didn’t know you needed or expected to get from a conference. We’ll talk about why self care isn’t selfish, how to stop apologizing and how to step into your power by taking up the space in this world that you deserve. You’ll walk away with practical tips and new habits to start unapologetically living the life you want!

3 Education Tracks: Leadership, Technology,

Culture & Community

Our choices were abundant as to which breakout session we wanted to attend.

  • Evolving the Construction Industry: People vs Process

  • Transforming Others Through Effective Coaching

  • Grief: A Hidden Safety Risk

  • The Value of Personal Brand

  • Making Clean Energy Opportunities Equitable

  • Introduction to Digital Component Construction

  • An Industry Transformed by Technology & Inclusion

  • Making Construction the Industry of Choice for Women

  • Talk Tools in Schools

  • Women in Leadership, Diversity, and Inclusion

  • Modular Construction: Opportunities and Risks to your Business Model

  • Get Your Time Back! Technology to help HR & Operations Gain Work-Life Balance

  • Crack the Concrete Ceiling: Frontline Leadership

  • Workforce Development Panel

  • The Leader Who People Follow

  • Social Media Do's and Don'ts

  • Establishing Employee Resource Groups

  • Prospects to Projects: Leverage Your Business Relationships

  • How Work in Progress (WIP) Can Work for You

  • Leveraging Strategic Partnerships and Creative Diverse Recruiting

What Annual Conference is complete without the passing of the gavel of our Past National Presidents. This long standing tradition is held during our Awards Gala every year where the attendees put on their finest, have a great meal, celebrate one another and party throughout the night.

Welcome to our new National President Karen Hager and 23-24 board.