Combined Shape
Combined Shape
back to newsroom

supporting ASA women in industry

this article is written from Jaimie Kenney’s point of view, an attendee of the ASA Women in Industry convention.

Several women from our team had the honor of attending the 2022 ASA Women in Industry convention held in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville is a city I’ve never visited before and I was really looking forward to immersing myself in the land of bourbon and horse country. Home of Churchill Downs, the track which holds the largest horse race each year, The Kentucky Derby. I’ve been a horse lover my whole life and have followed the sport since I was a little girl. I knew the event was going to be an excellent offering of networking, learning, sharing and a little Kentucky flair.

 

Our first day consisted of attending a welcome reception and dinner. When I tell you the energy these 250 women brought, it was contagious. When I thought about attending a specific event for women, I wondered what will this be like? Will it be an open environment and women will be sharing and collaborating? Or will this be uncomfortable and be the typical “clique” that is usually cast upon women. Well, the answer to that is, it was amazing, life changing and I can’t wait to go back. The energy was infectious, women were lifting each other up, sharing stories, talking about this male dominated industry of plumbing and shattering all glass ceilings. Talk about GIRL POWER!

Dinner had the perfect amount of networking and the right amount of Kentucky flair. Kentucky butter cake was plentiful and the conversation was intense with passion for developing ourselves and learning from one another. I knew from this moment; this conference was going to be one for the books.

The next day consisted of a networking breakfast and several sessions for the general group. Two specific sessions stood out to me; the first being our session with Michelle Villalobos. We learned about incorporating positive traits possessed by women into selling. Operating ourselves with energy of abundance and channeling that energy into our daily careers. Most importantly, asking for the sale and making it clear what we are looking for in a relationship with our clients. Michelle talked about how hard this is for women in a male dominated industry, and the more you can foster this, the better you are and your client will benefit from it. Michelle also included how important it is to be present in the moment and to have a meaningful conversation. She also stated, “when we “need” something, we have no power.” Referring to not having control if we need something. Needing something doesn’t put you in the driver’s seat. What an incredible way to jumpstart this conference with Michelle opening up the day.

The afternoon speaker, Janine Driver, is where I feel like this conference became life changing for me. Janine entered the stage by walking in from the back of the room. Talk about a way to grab your attention right away! Janine has this powerful presence about herself, she is from Boston and the entire room could hear it in her voice and through her passion for coaching women. Janine has worked with the CIA, the FBI, and several law enforcement agencies. She is one of the few who got started being a body language expert and training law enforcement on how to catch a liar. Janine had us laughing, crying, and paying ourselves some serious moments of self-reflection. I will never do Janine’s talk justice in my summary but hopefully the impact hits you in a similar way.

Janine asked us many thought-provoking questions. Do you want to be right or effective? Will you own your mistakes to be respected? How often do you write an email and say “just” in your email? Hundreds of questions asked to have the ultimate self-reflection. She talked a lot about body language and what women can learn from men. She shared, “Women need to take up space, oftentimes, women minimize themselves when they are sitting, they try to take up as little room as possible”. She continued, “If you look at a man, they take up room all over the table and often you have to ask them to move their stuff.” Janine emphasized women should take note of these actions.

Janine also shared that body language can happen up to 5 seconds before thought. This is important because your body will respond before your brain can take over and tell it what to do. Next, she went into what certain body language cues mean, how we should interpret those cues, and what we need to be aware of in ourselves too.

To say Janine was captivating is an understatement but she totally won the entire room over and I will forever remember the connections I was able to glean while listening to her talk. If you’d like to know more, I highly recommend watching her TED talks.

Once Janine left the stage, we took a break and then moved into our breakout sessions. I really appreciated what the ASA planning committee did in making sure the program was great for women starting out in their careers and for women who were more developed and looking to develop themselves more. Once the breakout sessions concluded we had a break and then suited up for dinner at Churchill Downs. 

We had the ability to network and talk to all 250 women throughout the social hour and dinner. We watched a video on the history of the Kentucky Derby and took in everything Churchill Downs had to offer. It was the perfect way to seal off an amazing day and to get ready for the book club review the next day.

Clearly you can tell I am a fan of Janine Driver, so myself and my colleagues attended the book club breakfast with Janine to be able to ask her questions about her book and anything else we wanted to know from her. It was an intimate discussion with 50 or so attendees and Janine. We went massively over our time limit and enjoyed every minute of it.

We finished out the conference with Kirsten Hawley. Kirsten talked about taking care of ourselves and how important self-care and self-kindness are. Kirsten talked a lot about her personal experiences and how being a mom really put her work and her family in perspective. She told a story about her son overhearing her talking to a neighbor. Kirsten talked about a trip she took to China for work and how she had so much fun and what a great trip it was for her. Along with her accomplishments with the client she was seeing. Her son overheard and was mad at her. He said, “Mom, I thought you hated working, that’s what you always tell me, but you actually had fun on this work trip!” It was at that moment that Kirsten reflected and changed the way she talked about her work to her children. And it was at that moment I realized I needed to have a positive relationship with my work and my daughter. And my daughter should know I do love my job but I also love her too. Such an impactful way to close out this amazing conference for me.

I am truly honored to have been able to attend and to be around this powerhouse group of women. I truly look forward to attending in Charleston next year as well.

Connect with other female professionals who’ve taken the step forward in the PHCP and industrial PVF supply chain to network and leverage educational opportunities to advance their careers. Make unique connections and learn skills in order to reach your potential. Click here to learn more! 

share this post

more news

products
industrial valves commercial valves Apollo Press Apollo PowerPress Apollo SmartPress VSH Shurjoint actuation butterfly valves plumbing & heating safety relief valves backflow
services

10715 Sikes Place
Suite 200
Charlotte, NC 28277

704.841.6000
Instagram Youtube Linkedin Facebook

|

privacy statement

|

cookie policy

send by email

Hidden

PUBLICITY WAIVER AND RELEASE

Aalberts integrated piping systems Americas, Inc., a North Carolina corporation with offices located at 10715 Sikes Place, Suite 200, Charlotte, North Carolina (the “Company“), desires to use and publicize the name, likeness, and other personal characteristics and private information of the individual named below with a residence at the address set out below (“I” or “me“) for advertising, promotion, and other commercial and business purposes. In exchange for the intangible value I will gain by participating in Company’s publicity programs/a one-time payment in the amount of $0 and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which I hereby acknowledge, I give Company my permission for such use and publicity for such purposes, according to the terms and conditions set forth in this Publicity Waiver and Release (“Agreement“).

 I hereby irrevocably permit, authorize, grant, and license Company and its affiliates, successors, and assigns, [and their respective licensees, advertising agencies, promotion agencies, and fulfillment agencies,] and the employees, officers, directors, and agents of each and all of them (“Authorized Persons“), the rights to display, publicly perform, exhibit, transmit, broadcast, reproduce, record, photograph, digitize, modify, alter, edit, adapt, create derivative works, exploit, sell, rent, license, otherwise use, and permit others to use my name, image, likeness, and appearance, voice, professional and personal biographical information, signature and other personal characteristics and private information, and all materials created by or on behalf of Company that incorporate any of the foregoing (“Materials“) in perpetuity throughout the universe in any medium or format whatsoever now existing or hereafter created, including but not limited to, in and on magazines, brochures and other print publications, electronic, magnetic, and optical media, motion pictures, television broadcast, cablecast, and satellite, home video and video on demand, radio broadcasts, display, point-of-sale, and other advertising and promotional materials, press releases, the internet and other digital transmission or delivery methods, mobile applications, on any platform and for any purpose, including but not limited to advertising, public relations, publicity, packaging, and promotion of Company and its affiliates and their businesses, products, and services, without further consent from or royalty, payment, or other compensation to me.

Company shall be the exclusive owner of all rights, including copyright, in the Materials. I hereby irrevocably transfer, assign, and otherwise convey to Company my entire right, title, and interest, if any, in and to the Materials and all copyrights and other intellectual property rights in the Materials arising in any jurisdiction throughout the universe in perpetuity, including all registration, renewal, and reversion rights, and the right to sue to enforce such copyrights against infringers. I acknowledge and agree that I have no right to review or approve Materials before they are used by Company, and that Company has no liability to me for any editing or alteration of the Materials or for any distortion or other effects resulting from Company’s editing, alteration, or use of the Materials, or Company’s presentation of me. Any credit or other acknowledgment of me, if any, shall be determined by Company in Company’s sole discretion. Company has no obligation to create or use the Materials or to exercise any rights given by this Agreement.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, I hereby irrevocably waive all legal and equitable rights relating to all liabilities, claims, demands, actions, suits, damages, and expenses, including but not limited to claims for copyright or trademark infringement, infringement of moral rights, libel, defamation, invasion of any rights of privacy (including intrusion, false light, public disclosure of private facts, and misappropriation of name or likeness), violation of rights of publicity, physical or emotional injury or distress, or any similar claim or cause of action in tort, contract, or any other legal theory, now known or hereafter known in any jurisdiction throughout the world (collectively, “Claims“), arising directly or indirectly from the Authorized Persons’ exercise of their rights under this Agreement or the production, exhibition, exploitation, advertising, promotion, or other use of the Materials, and whether resulting in whole or in part from the negligence of Company or any other person, and I hereby covenant not to make or bring any such Claim against any Authorized Persons and forever release and discharge the Authorized Persons from liability under such Claims. I understand that Company is relying on this Agreement and will incur significant expense in reliance on this Agreement, and I agree that this Agreement cannot be terminated, rescinded, or modified, in whole or in part.

I represent and warrant to Company that I am at least 18 years of age, and I have full right, power, and authority to enter into this Agreement and grant the rights granted hereunder. I further represent and warrant to Company that I will provide only true and correct statements and other information in connection with this Agreement, and the Authorized Persons’ use of the Materials and the rights and license granted hereunder do not, and will not, violate any right (including without limitation copyright, trademark, trade secret, right to privacy, or right of publicity) of, or conflict with or violate any contract with or commitment made to, any person or entity, and that no consent or authorization from, or any payment to, any third party is required in connection herewith.

This Agreement constitutes the sole and entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral, with respect to such subject matter. I have not relied on any statement, representation, warranty, or agreement of Company or of any other person on Company’s behalf, including any representations, warranties, or agreements arising from statute or otherwise in law, except for the representations, warranties, or agreements expressly contained in this Agreement. If any term or provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect any other term or provision of this Agreement or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction. Company may assign this Agreement and its rights hereunder, in whole or in part, to any party. This Agreement is binding on and inures to my benefit and the benefit of Company and our respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors, and permitted assigns. All matters arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of North Carolina without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of North Carolina or any other jurisdiction). Any claim or cause of action arising under this Agreement may be brought only in the federal and state courts located in North Carolina, and I hereby irrevocably consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.

THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES COMPANY WITH YOUR ABSOLUTE AND UNCONDITIONAL CONSENT, WAIVER, AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ALLOWING COMPANY TO PUBLICIZE AND COMMERCIALLY EXPLOIT YOUR NAME, LIKENESS, AND OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PRIVATE INFORMATION AS SET OUT ABOVE. BY SIGNING, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT YOU ARE GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO SUE COMPANY

by signing below I acknowledge that I have read and accept all terms and conditions in the Publicity Waiver and Release form and are authorizing an electronic signature as opposed to a written signature