News Feature
Why the new ‘Thinkshop’ series is important for
women working in exhibitions?
Cipca explained: “Women in general
are rated as excelling in taking the
initiative, acting with resilience,
practicing self-development, driving
results, and displaying high integrity
and honesty. Interestingly, data also
shows that when women were asked
to assess themselves on their skills
and the ability to perform the tasks in
a new role, they were not as generous
in their ratings. Research shows
women are less likely to apply for jobs
unless they are confident they meet
most of the listed qualifications.
“With the ‘Thinkshop’ series our
overall objective is to empower
every individual to realise the value
they bring to their current, and
any future role. We want to coach
women to appreciate that a versatile
approach is required if you are to be
able to influence effectively. We will
offer them some key elements that
interlock in a way that provides them
with certainty to behave in ways that
‘shouts’ credibility. In the second
session of the five series we will give
practical and hand-on tips for selfbranding,
followed by tips on how to
manage expectation, and as a result
manage conflict.
“In the fourth and the fifth session
we tackle what change, which is
inevitable in any environment. Once
we accept change, we are in a more
effective place when it comes to
managing unexpected situations.
Regardless of whether the emotion
is stress, anxiety, frustration or
even anger, it is a fact that what
you’re feeling has manifested from
a single central point. These basic
realisations can change women’s
way of functioning in both their
personal and professional lives, and
understanding their value makes
them better conversation partners.”
Information about the Thinkshop
series programme, regional
chapters and membership details
can be found on the Women in
Exhibitions website designed by
EMOTIONstudios at
www.womeninexhibitions.com
programmes for the next generation of
women, to support their career goals
and importantly that they can continue
to develop diversity and inclusion in the
industry.”
Cipca explained that she started
the network to try and tackle the
low number of women in senior
positions within organisers. She
added: “The reason I started the
network was because I felt women
were underrepresented at top levels
in our industry. As a newcomer to
the industry, I immediately noticed
that men would represent all top
management functions. I was shocked
to learn how little the number of
women there were at C-Level in
Germany despite our industry being
run by women at all other levels.
“There is a direct correlation between
women in leadership and business
performance, and our industry needs
to understand this, and we want to
pursue us being relevant as industry. I
hope to use a platform like the Women
in Exhibition Network to make our
industry discover the brilliant women
who run it and nurture the next
generation of female leaders through
training programs and mentorships.”
Cipca has her eyes set on other
territories to grow chapters. She added:
“In the next two years we see our
community growing in Asia, Australia
and USA. Until now we were mainly
focused on Europe, but our industry
is large and well connected so it is
obvious we want to reach women
worldwide.”
Oana Cipca
June — 15