How to survive
Forging a female community at tech conferences seems like a serious challenge, but all change starts somewhere.
Start with online communities before the conference, Classon suggested. Whether on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, search for other women who are attending the conference, and ask to satisfy up.
"Just put yourself out there. Send them a tweet," Classon said. "Say, 'I'm getting to be at this conference, does one mind I just catch up with you, have coffee or something?'"
Female conference-goers should also attend the talks given by female speakers. Walk up to the feminine speaker afterward and make a connection, Classon suggested.
"A woman's best tool is her network," MacIntosh said. "I recommend reaching call at advance to seek out out who else is attending and decide to meet. If that fails, network alone. a number of my most trusted industry colleagues and deepest relationships are with those that I met at industry events and bonded with over having an equivalent cultural experience."
However, the responsibility also falls on the conference itself to market women in tech and convey them together. The conference could easily host an organized event for ladies in tech to collect and network. this is able to also alleviate anxiety for ladies who could be attending the conference alone, Classon said.
Conferences should also make accommodations for mothers, Classon added. Whether it's through onsite daycare, or mothers in tech meetings, tech conferences must make an area for these women to also feel welcome, she said.
Another route conferences can go includes inviting tech-focused women's groups to attend, MacIntosh added.
"As this culture stems from the workplace during this sector, i feel tech conference organizers should consider adding forums to conferences that talk to leaders on the way to create a more inclusive and diversified workforce," MacIntosh said. "In some instances, it's going to be that the corporate is looking to diversify and that they just need direction and advice on the way to set about it."
Companies attending the conference must encourage their own female leaders to attend and speak at conferences, MacIntosh said. This visibility isn't only great for that leader, except for women attending. Seeing more women standing abreast of stage can help female attendees survive the long conference days surrounded mostly by men.
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