Reflections from the Great Women in Business Meetup 2026
On Monday 9th March we hosted the Great Women in Business Meetup 2026, and I’m still reflecting on what a special day it was.
The event took place at the National Conference Centre in Solihull, where over 100 women came together from across the Midlands and beyond for a full day of connection, learning and collaboration.
The Great Women in Business Meetup is a collaboration between four women’s business networks who share a common belief – that when women come together to support one another, incredible things can happen.
I was proud to represent The Women’s Business Network (WBN) as one of the four networks behind the event, alongside fellow hosts who are equally passionate about creating supportive spaces for women in business.
Each of our networks brings something unique, but what unites us is a shared commitment to helping women connect, learn from one another and grow their businesses with the right support around them.
Our aim with the Great Women in Business Meetup has always been to create something a little different from traditional networking events.
A space where women can arrive, often on their own, and very quickly feel comfortable in the room.
A space where conversations flow naturally and where the focus is on genuine connection rather than awkward introductions.
Throughout the day we facilitated table moves so that everyone had the opportunity to meet a wide range of people. This is something attendees often tell us they love about the event because it removes the pressure many people feel when walking into a room full of strangers.
Alongside the networking element, the day also included:
- A series of expert-led masterclasses designed to support women in business
- A Connections Zone to help women meet and learn about each other’s businesses
- A Visibility Zone where attendees could enjoy colour advice and styling tips from a personal stylist, along with makeup top-ups from a professional makeup artist
- A carefully selected group of exhibitors offering products, services and expertise
This year the exhibitors added an extra level of value to the day, creating even more opportunities for conversations and collaboration.
Events like this never happen without an incredible amount of support.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who helped bring the day together:
- The women who showed up with open minds and a genuine willingness to connect
- Our sponsors who enabled us to add so much detail and care into the experience
- Our exhibitors who brought expertise and energy into the room
- Our support team working quietly behind the scenes throughout the day
- And our photographers and videographer who captured the atmosphere so beautifully
The event ran seamlessly, which is always our aim.
But anyone who organises events will know just how much planning, coordination and teamwork sits behind the scenes to make a day like this feel effortless for everyone attending.
A personal milestone
On a personal level, Monday also meant a great deal to me.
Through The Women’s Business Network (WBN) I’ve been hosting online networking and support meetings for several years, bringing women together from across the UK and beyond.
But two years ago, when we hosted our first Great Women in Business Meetup, stepping into the world of large in-person events was completely new territory for me.
Alongside that, I also had a very real fear of public speaking.
Standing on stage on Monday delivering my talk on “Networking with Purpose” felt very different.
I wanted to show up and do my fellow hosts proud – and I’m proud to say I did.
Public speaking no longer feels like the mountain it once was, and that feels like a big personal milestone.
It’s a reminder that the things we often find daunting can also become the experiences that help us grow the most.
What happens after the event?
One of the things we always say about the Great Women in Business Meetup is that the day itself is only the beginning.
The real value of events like this comes from the relationships that continue afterwards.
The conversations.
The collaborations.
The support that grows from the connections made in the room.
And that is exactly where communities like The Women’s Business Network (WBN) play an important role.
WBN was created to give women a space where those connections can continue beyond a single event. Because it is online, women can stay connected with each other throughout the year – not just locally, but across the UK and Europe.
Inside WBN we focus on:
- Building meaningful relationships
- Having honest conversations about the realities of running a business
- Sharing knowledge and experience
- Supporting each other as we grow and navigate the challenges of business ownership
If you joined us at the Great Women in Business Meetup and would like to continue building those connections, I would warmly welcome you to come along and experience one of our meetings. Here is the link to all our upcoming meeting dates.
Because the real magic of days like Monday isn’t just what happened in the room.
It’s what grows from the connections afterwards.
