Members of the Airdrie Women in Business Association (AWBA) gathered earlier this week for their Annual General Meeting (AGM).

According to the group's President Mellisa Bentley, this year the AWBA will put a focus on growing their membership and gaining more exposure for the group in Airdrie.

"The biggest focus of our group is going to be gaining more exposure around the community.  A lot of times we often hear that women in Airdrie aren't really aware of the Airdrie Women in Business Association.  We did a survey with our current members back at the beginning of this year and we asked them for some ideas and what they felt about the group and where we could take it.  A lot of them expressed interest in growing it in membership but also in exposure around the city and being a part of more events that happen around the city."

Bentley says they've added some marketing dollars to their budget and are also planning on a third event this year, up from their usual two.

Membership in the AWBA peaked at 70 a few years ago but fell to 39 last year.  Bentley says the association is growing again with 53 members.  She feels putting the word out that women are there to help and empower and support like-minded women. 

Several new directors were added to the AWBA board at the AGM, according to Bentley.

"We brought on a new Membership Director, her name is Joyce Wall.  We also brought on a new Marketing Director, her name is Lori Anne De Boks.  We also opened up a position for our website, so we voted in a Website Director her name is Katharine Mooney and then we also added another Events Director as well, her name is Shelly Rimes."

Bentley says the thing that most women appreciate from belonging to the AWBA is the relationships they develop.

"All of our women have met amazing other friends and they've built those business connections but also those personal connections as well.  That's why we have a lot of networking opportunities at our meetings just so it provides those opportunities to just go an introduce yourself and mingle with like-minded women.  Number two is just getting out there and feeling that you have a support system.  A lot of our members are trying something new, they're going through difficult situations in their lives or they're making a big change.  Knowing that they have that support system that they can go to and ask for advice, knowing that they're there, that definitely helps."

The next major event for the AWBA is a Professional Development Day on September 29th at Apple Creek Golf Course.  The day will feature speakers who'll give advice to women on building up their business.  Bentley says it's a great way to come out and learn what your next steps should be in developing a business. 

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