Ticket purchasing opens for Women Aware Conference

Reservations to the 2021 Women Aware Conference “Born to Stand Out” featuring keynote speaker Chantelle Becking are now available on Eventbrite.

A ticket purchased by Sept. 1 will be $40 and after will be $50. The event will be held Thursday, Sept. 16.

Any individual, group or business who purchases 10 tickets by Sept. 1 will also get a 10% discount.

Organizers are using Eventbrite registration and conference tickets, said Meredith Rines, a conference planner.

“Eventbrite is pretty simple to use. Just head to 2021womenaware.eventbrite.com and click the button to order tickets,” Rines said. “You’ll be directed to the page to order an early bird registration ticket. Just select the number of tickets you wish to order and select checkout. On the next page, you’ll enter your name, address and email address, then your payment information. You’ll receive an email confirmation and that’s it. You’re set.”

Purchasing tickets early not only saves money, but guarantees you’ll be able to attend.

The planning committee is downsizing the number of tables and booths this year at the Black River Coliseum to provide better social distancing.

“We are also limiting the amount of walk-ins the day of the conference to make sure we don’t overcrowd and can still maintain the social distancing protocols,” conference Director Tracey Tarpley added. “We are recommending everyone wear a mask and we will have hand sanitizer stationed around the conference.”

Becking, of Cape Girardeau, is an author, speaker, adoptive mom and business owner. Becking had agreed to speak at last year’s conference, which was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic. She held this year’s date open for the organization.

In her book “Unapologetically You: Freedom to Be,” Becking brings laughs and tears with her self-deprecating humor and real-life challenges. She drops the filter and shares a vulnerable side which is refreshing and needed in a culture putting far too much pressure on women, according to fans of the book.

Along with being an adoptive mom to five girls, business woman and public speaker, she describes herself as “a lover of God, life and tattoos.” But believes her true passion is helping women get a taste of freedom from the heavy load life can bring.

She has adopted a daughter, Bianca, from Guatemala, a second, Solie, from Ethiopia, plus daughters Ari, Dolly and Lennyx through foster care.

She also donated a kidney to a person she previously didn’t know. The donation is part of a philosophy she’s adopted, and something she wants her children to see.

“Even to me, with this kidney donation, I’m committed to not wasting a day,” Becking said. “We kind of joke around about it, but it’s true, I’m not leaving anything on the table in my life.”

Tarpley said, “I can’t wait for the conference this year; it’s good to be getting back to ‘normal.’ I can’t wait to visit all the booths and sponsors and network with all the ladies we missed seeing last year when we had to cancel the conference.

“This is going to be a great year!”

Tasteful Creations will cater lunch and lots of interesting breakout sessions are planned, Tarpley said.

Booths currently available are wall booths for $200, inner-row booths for $175 and inner-row booths for non-profits for $150. Booth registration includes two lunch tickets. Anyone interested in a booth may email pbwomenawareinc@gmail.com to get registered. Anyone who would like to be a sponsor, have a booth or purchase an ad in the event book, may contact Rines, Penny Taylor or Carrie Schimweg.

Rines is taking care of the booths. Her email is meredith@daireldentoncpa.com

Taylor is in charge of fundraising. Her email is mspdtaylor@gmail.com

Schimweg is in charge of the conference book. Her email is cschimweg@gmail.com