7:00 AM - Registration/Breakfast - Hive Trade Show Open
8:15 AM - Opening Remarks
8:45 - 9:45 AM - Morning Keynote-Building Your BEEhive
Dr. Marie Dizaine, DBA, MBA
Associate Dean of Academics Keiser University – Fort Myers
In this inspiring keynote, Dr. Marie Dizaine explores the power of intentional networking through the lens of leadership. Using the metaphor of a thriving beehive, she reveals why no leader succeeds alone—and how to build a strong, supportive network that fuels growth, collaboration, and resilience. Attendees will walk away with practical strategies to cultivate meaningful connections, strengthen their hive, and lead with greater impact. Dr. Marie will conclude her session with a hands-on networking exercise that’s sure to get the swarm buzzing.
10:00 - 10:45 AM
Session 1 - BEE BOLD
Featuring two breakout sessions to choose from:
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Bold Beginnings- How to Build Your Business
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"Here We GROW"-Plant the seeds of your business in Cape Coral and watch your hive thrive! Join Sharon Woodberry, Cape Coral’s Economic & Business Development Officer, for a powerful session on starting and scaling your business with support from the city. Learn how to tap into local incentives and tools designed to help your business take flight and bloom right where you are planted. It’s time to BEE bold and build something extraordinary. Don’t miss this chance to learn from Cape Coral’s lead advocate for entrepreneurs!
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Embracing Boldness in Leadership & Action
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Bold leadership isn’t about being loud—it’s about being clear, courageous, and committed. This session lead by Cape Coral Technical College’s Associate Director Gina Sabiston, challenges women leaders to step beyond comfort zones, speak with purpose, and take decisive action. Through real-world examples and powerful insights, you’ll learn how to lead boldly, navigate resistance, and inspire others with authenticity and strength. It’s time to stop playing small—BEE bold and lead with intention.
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11:00 - 11:45 AM
Session 2 - BLOSSOM & BLOOM
Panel Discussion- Bloom Where You Are Planted
Nancy Travis, MS, RN, ANLC-P, FAWHONN & Janel Trull Executive Director at the Cape Coral Museum of History
This inspiring two-speaker panel dives into the power of planting yourself in a community and growing strong roots through authentic leadership. Attendees will discover how to nurture meaningful connections, strengthen local business bonds, and create lasting impact right where they are. The session will conclude with an engaging Q&A, giving participants a chance to gather fresh ideas and actionable insights from the panelists.
12:00 PM - Lunch - Hive Trade Show Open
1:20PM - Buzz Break: Power Up for What's Next!
Typically feel a bit sluggish after lunch? Not this time! Attendees will be treated to a quick post-lunch Rynski Energy Recharge designed to combat that afternoon slump. Transformational doula and certified energy practitioner Ryn Gargulinski will use her proprietary Energy Flow technique that combines universal energies with Love and focused intention to help restore harmony, balance and vitality – without a jolt of caffeine. All you need is a comfortable place to sit and let the energies flow through you to help clear mental fog, release physical tension, and prepare your mindbodyspirit for a productive and meaningful afternoon
1:30 - 2:15 PM
Session 3 - BEE BRAVE
Featuring two breakout sessions to choose from:
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Breaking Barriers
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What holds women back from the highest levels of leadership? Bias? Doubt? structural limitations? In this powerful session, with guest speaker Officer Mercedes Simonds, we confront the invisible barriers that too often keep women from ascending into leadership roles. Through candid discussion and her actionable insights, attendees will learn how to challenge limiting norms, advocate for equity, and navigate leadership with boldness and resilience. It’s time to BEE brave, break through, and rise to the top.
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Bravely Leading
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Leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being brave. This empowering session celebrates the courage it takes to make bold decisions, take risks, and lead with authenticity. Through real stories from speaker Zahily Peraza-Higgins and practical tools, you’ll explore how to embrace imperfection, trust your instincts, and lead with conviction even when the path is uncertain. Walk away inspired to BEE brave, take action, and lead from a place of purpose over perfection.
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2:30 - 3:30 PM - Afternoon Keynote Speaker Heather Monahan
BUZZing with Confidence: Empowering People, Teams & Organizations
The modern workplace has changed and there is no going back, which has been difficult for both leaders and employees alike to fully accept. With challenges and adversities coming from all sides, there has been a growing erosion of confidence that is beginning to affect even the most assured leaders. Heather Monahan has been teaching the importance of having confidence for some time, but now her timely messages are more on point than ever. She takes a frank and fresh approach with audiences to help them to realize that confidence is the one thing that changes everything, no matter the situation or environment. As setbacks are destined to occur, it is those who are confident who can withstand the blows while others crumble under the pressure. The feelings of frustration, disappointment and anger that go along with lack of confidence can be debilitating. Participants leave Heather’s talks with a new understanding of how they can become confident and the structured steps they can take to craft their confidence plan which will lead to being to be seen and heard.