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BIT SWVA-Maximize Your Conference Experience: Effective Networking Strategies
August 22 @ 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
*Event has been reschuled to 8/22/24*
Conference season is upon us! Whether you’re attending Disrupt Up, BITCON, or any upcoming networking event, it’s crucial to brush up on your skills and make a strategic plan for a successful networking experience. Join us for an interactive workshop designed to help you make the most out of your networking opportunities. Led by Wesley Faulkner, Podcaster & Public Speaker, and Shamaill Ross, Senior Consultant – Enterprise Business Conduct at Allstate, this workshop will cover:
- Networking Fundamentals: Learn the basics of effective networking, including how to make a positive first impression and engage in meaningful conversations.
- Building Connections: Discover techniques for identifying key contacts and nurturing relationships that can advance your personal and professional goals.
- Maximizing Conference Time: Get tips on planning your schedule to ensure you attend the most relevant sessions and meet the right people.
- Follow-up Strategies: Understand the importance of post-conference follow-up and how to maintain the connections you’ve made.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your networking skills and make your next conference a success!
About the speakers:
Ashley Offutt serves as the Director for the Student Opportunity and Achievement Resources Office. As a first-generation college graduate from Louisville, Kentucky, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, a minor in African and African American Studies, and a Master of Arts in Student Personnel Services in Higher Education. In addition, she holds certifications in Conflict Management and Negotiation. In her spare time, she enjoys resting. She has served as a compassionate and motivated diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) leader with extensive experience in advocacy, safeguarding culture, and finding opportunities to build relationships with organizations to drive educational and cultural diversity. Ms. Offutt specializes in the adaptation of intersectionality of culture, curriculum, and using data to share the narrative of interactions and the work that is Student Affairs and Academia.
Shamaill Ross is a proud native and ambassador of Roanoke, Virginia. She is blessed to be the daughter of the late Cloteal Ross Jones, whose legacy and love continue to inspire and guide her every day. A graduate of Ferrum College, Shamaill has built a successful career at Allstate, where she has served for 19 years. She currently holds the position of Senior Risk Analyst in Business Law and Compliance within the Law and Regulation Department. Her journey at Allstate has been both challenging and rewarding, allowing her to grow and make a meaningful impact in her field.
Beyond her professional role, Shamaill is deeply committed to advocating for equality and justice. She chairs the Roanoke Branch of the NAACP’s LGBTQIA Committee, working tirelessly to support and uplift the community. At Allstate, she also serves as the Global Chair of the Allstate PRIDE Employee Impact Group, striving to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for all employees.
Her dedication to community service extends to several other roles. She is a Board Member on the Council of Community Services, where she works to improve the quality of life for individuals and families in the area. Additionally, as the Board Treasurer of Girls Rock Roanoke, she is passionate about empowering young girls through music and creativity, helping them to find their voices and realize their potential.
Her commitment to making a positive difference in the community is unwavering, and she is deeply appreciative of the journey that has brought her to this point.