WORK is a pop-up conference exploring creative and entrepreneurial approaches to work.
work RETURNS on AUGUST 22, 2020.
presented by bbatx (#bossbabesATX)
powered by Texas MSTC and Texas MBA
9:30 AM to 5 PM CT on August 22, 2020
from the comfort of your own Wi-Fi :)
• conference CHECK-IN & NETWORKING •
ONE BIG ZOOM ROOM
9:30 TO 10:00 AM
It’s time to grab a comfy chair, pour a cup of coffee (or tea) and reposition your favorite desk plant. Check in for WORK starts promptly at 9:30 AM—and you can join us in our Zoom room to network across, goal-map and settle into a learning mindset.
WORK Tip: When you login, take a minute to introduce yourself! Include your name, where you’re from, your industry and your pronouns. You can also grab a custom WORK cup to stay a little more connected while you join us from home.
• on resets — A WORK KEYNOTE •
ONE BIG ZOOM ROOM
10:00 TO 10:30 AM
For many of us, the last few months have demanded a hard reset. Whether we’re remote working for the first time, adjusting to a career disappointment or reimagining the future of our projects and businesses—the call for self-renewal has felt urgent (and big). To launch the day’s workshops and conversations, we’ll gather for a keynote conversation with Antonelli’s Cheese co-founder and Austin 40 Under 40 Awardee Kendall Antonelli on adaptation and navigating change.
Kendall will share her experiences on "the art of the reset;" that is, the times she either chose to push the rest button or life pushed it for her. From being hospitalized in a psychiatric facility to changing a decade of business within a week at the onset of the pandemic, Kendall is ready to get real about what worked, what didn't, and the hilarious moments in between.
• workshops and discussions:
part I •
BREAKOUT ZOOM ROOMS
10:45 AM TO 11:45 AM
For this segment of workshops and discussions, attendees will choose between two sessions (you will receive the recording for all sessions—regardless of which one you pick). The sessions for Part I are as follows.
Session 1 — On Making Career Moves
How do you know when it’s time to pivot your professional path? In this panel discussion, creatives, entrepreneurs and seasoned career-building experts will join us to chat through breaking into new industries and committing to your skills. Our featured speakers include Austin Chamber VP of Talent Development Kwee Lan Teo, multidisciplinary entrepreneur Celeste Quesada, digital marketer Hali Martin and Loom's Lead Product Designer Desirée Zamora García.
Session 2 — Leadership In Times of Renewal
In this panel discussion, we’ll convene thought leaders across industries to explore how they make difficult decisions (especially in times of crisis), navigate the pressures of leadership, as well as advocate for themselves and their communities. Our featured speakers include VP of People at Sourced Cocktails Madi Butler, Austin School of Film Program Director Faiza Kracheni, AACHI Executive Director Hailey Easley and Radical Girl Gang founder Bre Cruickshank.
WORK Tip: Every WORK attendee will receive a customized workbook, complete with goal-setting exercises and resource guides from our partners and friends. If you want to get ahead of this year’s recommended reading, check out The BBATX COVID-19 Guide: Funding and Community Resources in Austin, Texas or Personal and Professional Resources for Anti-Racism Work.
• workshops and discussions:
part II •
BREAKOUT ZOOM ROOMS
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
For this segment of workshops and discussions, attendees will choose between two sessions (you will receive the recording for all sessions—regardless of which one you pick). The sessions for Part II are as follows.
Session 3 — Designing Brands In A Digital-First World
What does it look like to clearly communicate your work online? In this workshop, designer and illustrator Jenna Luecke will walk us through her own rebrand, as well as how to establish visual and written communication strategies specific to social media.
Session 4 — Building Resiliency Into Your Business Plan
How can we build business plans that grow along with us? In this workshop, Bird Williams Consulting will share strong strategic plans that accommodate for crisis and cash flow changes.
• lunch and listen •
BREAKOUT ZOOM ROOMS
1:00 TO 2:00 PM
We just put in some work, and it’s time to stretch. During this break, you can log off for lunch or enjoy a number of creative workshops and activities.
Session 5 — 1:00 PM — A Little Art Break
Tune in with bbatx resident artist Whitney Batres to explore her process and studio practice in this fiber arts demo.
Session 6 — 1:00 PM — Setting Boundaries At Work
In this mini workshop, Brave and Well founder Vanessa Flores will share her strategies for setting and establishing healthy professional boundaries.
Session 7 — 1:30 PM — Networking Across
For 30 minutes, you can join the WORK team for low-pressure and thoughtful networking exercises. Who says you can’t make new friends in a Zoom room?
Session 8 — 1:30 PM — A Guided Meditation on Career Growth and Gratitude
Led by yoga practitioner and The Rose Project founder Nina Rose, in this mini-breakout we'll take a minute to pause, appreciate the present and reflect on resilience.
• workshops and discussions:
part III •
Floors 1, 2 AND 5
2:15 PM to 3:15 PM
For this segment of workshops and discussions, attendees will choose between two sessions (you will receive the recording for all sessions—regardless of which one you pick). The sessions for Part III are as follows.
Session 9 — On Solid Relationships With Mentors (And Peers)
What does it look like to be in community during a global pandemic? How can we continue creating healthy relationships for our professional selves? Is it even appropriate to reach out? In this talk, Mentor Method founder Janice Omadeke will take us through a few solutions for social networking at home.
Session 10 — How To Have Difficult Conversations At Work
It can be hard to confront issues of inequity in our own work lives. In this session, emotional intelligence expert Megan Saxelby will unpack tackling hard discussions in professional settings. Megan specializes in emotional intelligence, prosocial critical thinking, and dignity with over a decade of experience in education.
• STAY WELL: THE FINAL SESSION •
ONE BIG ZOOM ROOM
3:30 PM to 4:30 PM
As we round out the day, we’ll come together for a closing exercise led by Simone DeAngelis, author of If You’re Freaking Out, Read This. She’ll talk us through coping strategies and tactics for building good habits and maintaining a sense of hope for the future. After her talk, we’ll reflect on our morning goals, center the new things we’ve learned and write down our collective action items.
WORK Tip: Want to review WORK guides from past conferences? You can head here to buy and download your own copies.
We’ll see you at WORK. ~ Stay tuned for our speaker reveal on August 4, 2020!
