Women’s Business Networking Events in the US for 2027: Owners, Leaders and Dealmakers

Just searching for the keywords “women's events” tells you very little about whether a business event fits your working life.

You may want other owners to challenge a decision, executives who understand your industry or peers navigating the same profession. I would start with that shared context, then examine how the event helps you meet those people.

These six women’s business networking events in the US for 2027 offer different routes into those conversations. The table separates business-owner gatherings from leadership and specialist communities; UWM also welcomes all genders. Dates, published fees and participation details were checked on 30 October 2026; rates and programmes may change, and the professional recommendations are my interpretation.

1. WISE WOMEN: bring a decision other owners can help you examine

The WISE WOMEN Spring 2027 Conference takes place on 18–19 March at the Element Event Center in Kearns, near Salt Lake City. It is specifically designed for women business owners, combining workshops with rotating small-group mastermind discussions.

I would shortlist it if you are already making decisions about customers, delivery or the direction of your company and want thoughtful owner-to-owner exchange. Bring a manageable question: how to improve a client handover, for example, with enough context for others to offer useful perspectives.

The organiser describes groups with five or six other owners, so participation involves sharing your experience as well as asking for help. Decide what you can discuss openly and explain the constraints before inviting suggestions.

Early Bird pricing through 30 November 2026 is advertised at $299 for general admission or $499 with the 17 March VIP dinner. Lunches on the conference days are extra; compare the full visit cost and current rate before choosing the upgrade.

2. UWM Women Leaders: develop connections across job titles and industries

The University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee’s Women Leaders Conference is scheduled for 19 March 2027 at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, with a live online option. The organiser explicitly welcomes people of all genders and career stages, from emerging leaders to experienced professionals.

This is my broader leadership choice for a manager or individual contributor preparing for greater responsibility. You can attend with a question about leading a team or navigating change without needing to be a business owner or belong to a particular industry.

Registration is coming soon, so use the official update route for current pricing and programme details. For online attendance, ask which networking or interactive activities are available before assuming the experience matches being in the room.

It overlaps WISE WOMEN’s second day on 19 March. I would choose between them according to whether you need owner-focused problem solving or a wider leadership community, rather than trying to combine two different cities into one rushed visit.

Pro tip

For another leadership option, my Boston networking guide explains Simmons’s in-person and online participation.

3. Women in Retail: compare your operating challenges with industry peers

The Women in Retail Leadership Summit runs on 26–28 April 2027 at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. It focuses on women in leadership at retailers and brands, with professional learning, peer conversations and networking receptions.

I would prioritise it for a retail or brand executive who wants to discuss decisions with people facing comparable commercial pressures. Arrive with a question specific enough to investigate, such as how another team coordinates store operations with digital customer experience.

Check the pricing categories carefully: standard registration for 1 January–26 April lists $3,800 for retailer/brand non-members and $6,500 for consultants. Earlier rates and membership categories differ; a consultant should confirm the appropriate route and professional fit.

At that cost, I would ask which peer interactions justify attending and how to prepare for them. The organiser also offers a sponsored-pass application, with selection required; investigate its terms separately from a company paying your expenses.

Pro Tip: make the funded outcome specific

Use my conference application templates to explain the work your attendance could improve. Offer a team briefing, a comparison of practices or a proposal for one test, and show registration, travel and accommodation together.

4. ACG New York: make your role in the deal clear

ACG New York’s 14th Annual Women of Leadership Summit takes place on 18 May 2027, from 9am–6pm, at the New York Athletic Club. Its stated audience includes private equity, investment banking, lending, corporate development and advisory professionals working in the middle market.

I would put it first for a woman whose work involves originating, financing or advising on transactions. Introduce yourself through your role, the companies or situations you work with and the expertise you can contribute.

The programme announces curated one-to-one meetings alongside workshops and leadership content. Ask how matching works, who can participate and what the current ticket includes; the value depends on the relevance of the counterpart and the conversation you can have.

For a wider range of owner and industry gatherings during another visit, see my NYC business networking events guide. ACG’s specialist dealmaking audience should earn its place through your actual work.

5. Women Of Project Management: assess the conference and the continuing community

The Women Of Project Management Conference announces 11 June 2027 at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. It centres Black women in project management, including career changers, newer practitioners, experienced leaders and entrepreneurs.

I would consider it for someone who values both shared professional experience and conversations about career progression. Bring an example of how you handle delivery, stakeholders or team responsibilities, then identify the perspective you want from another practitioner.

The advertised conference-only ticket is $2,750; the $3,750 option adds 12 months of membership beginning when you buy. The membership option also provides access to the post-conference workshop series, making this a decision about an ongoing commitment as well as a conference day.

At this price, I would want the learning objectives, full schedule and confirmed professional-development totals before committing; those details are still to be released. Check what you would use during the membership year, and include travel and lodging in the budget.

6. NAWBO’s national conference: widen your circle of business owners

NAWBO’s National Women’s Business Conference is scheduled for 24–26 October 2027 at The Pinnacle in Nashville. It brings women business owners together nationally, with keynote presentations, conversations and networking experiences; further programme details are still being announced.

I would choose it for an owner seeking perspectives beyond her immediate market or a wider community of entrepreneurs. Define the business stage or responsibility you want a peer to understand, whether that involves your first employees or leading a more established organisation.

The published registration schedule lists Early Bird general admission through 15 July 2027 at $299 for members and $399 for non-members. That option uses theatre-style seating and excludes lunch; VIP registration includes floor-table seating and lunch, at a higher price.

Compare this with WISE WOMEN’s explicitly structured owner discussions. For Nashville, ask which sessions create small-group exchange and how general and VIP attendees participate before treating a seat upgrade as a networking strategy.

Pro tip

If advocacy is your priority, my Washington, DC networking guide covers NAWBO Days, a separate June event.

7. Make the travel budget compete with a local option

A national trip should give you access to a community or perspective that matters to your work. Include time away, accommodation and any membership commitment, then decide what would make the visit worthwhile.

If you mainly need help starting or developing a local business, use the SBA’s Women’s Business Center resources to explore free or low-cost counselling and training near you. Check your local centre’s calendar and participation terms rather than assuming an expensive national conference is the necessary first step.

For a broader comparison of meeting formats and professional goals, use my US business networking events guide. Keep the shared professional context and the way conversations happen at the centre of your shortlist.

8. Where I would start with your professional goal

Choose according to the responsibility or decision you want another person to understand. Then look for a format that gives you time to explore it together.

Owners wanting structured peer feedback should begin with WISE WOMEN; owners seeking a national community should examine NAWBO’s developing programme. Managers and emerging leaders across industries should consider UWM, including its separately announced online option.

Retail and brand executives should assess Women in Retail’s audience and cost. Middle-market transaction professionals should examine ACG’s meeting process, while Black women entering or advancing in project management should compare the Women Of Project Management conference-only and membership options.

Pro Tip 1: arrange a second conversation around one useful exchange

During a promising discussion, agree what you will send or test next: a template, an introduction or a short explanation of a process. Suggest a manageable follow-up after you have both had time to use it, so the relationship develops around shared work.

Pro tip 2

For a construction-specific option, my Dallas-area networking guide explains the JobTread Women’s Summit in Addison and its customer-only eligibility.