President’s Message: A Reflection on Tech it Out and Spirit of the Midwest Awards
As I reflect on our recent milestones—the Tech It Out and Spirit of the Midwest events—I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for our vibrant community. These events marked a significant milestone for our chapter. For the first time, these events were held in two different locations, allowing us to reach a broader audience and strengthen our network. While the events were unique due to location, I could feel the energy and excitement from both sites, and I was beaming with pride seeing the collaboration between our board members and volunteers. It was truly all hands-on deck for both events and we shined.
In the evening, I had the honor of serving as the Master of Ceremonies North for the Spirit of the Midwest awards in St Paul, MN. At this event I witnessed the enthusiasm and joy on the faces of our incredible nominees and could feel the same excitement and pride coming from my counterpart in St Louis. I was excited for two reasons: 1) These remarkable women and men inspire us all, and celebrating their achievements was a true honor. 2) We did it. We pulled off two events. When looking across the room the evening of, and back at pictures from both events, I can still remember how that night felt and I am so humbled that I got to be a part of it.
In reflecting back on my experience, the day of the event, I can really boil it down to a few things, and they ring true not just for events like Tech It Out and Spirit of the Midwest, but to The WICT Network in general.
- Our chapter is more than a network; it’s a catalyst for growth. Whether you’ve been in the industry for your entire career or are just starting your journey, our events and programming offer a wealth of knowledge, skill-building opportunities, and connection.
- The WICT Network allows us to transcend company lines and amplify our impact. It’s about forging connections that span organizations, industries, and geographies. These relationships have become a lifeline for me during challenges as well as a source of constant inspiration.Â
- The friendships formed within this community are second to none. They withstand industry shifts and personal transitions. There have been so many people who have come from one company and transitioned to another and the thing that has held true is that they have all wanted to stay engaged with the people they have met through this incredible network of people.
The day of the event I spoke to people I hadn’t seen in years. We caught up on their career changes, industry perspectives and just truly enjoyed each other’s company. I am so thankful that The WICT Network has continued to give me this gift year after year, and I cannot wait to see what our incredible group puts together in 2025.
– Amber Schwiesow, President, The WICT Network: Midwest
Tech it Out Gallery
Spirit of the Midwest Gallery
