This week I was lucky enough to attend Gather 2008, the annual WACL forum (Women in Advertising and Communications London) at RIBA. The daylong event, put on by women for women, is now in its thirteenth year and is recognised as the key training and motivational event for rising female stars in the communications industry. 
The event was sponsored by Google, Heart FM and Thinkbox TV. Lindsey Clay, Marketing Director at Thinkbox, and chair of WACL’s training and development committee, was responsible for organizing this year’s event and had invited me along. Delegates were treated to a sparkling array of the industry’s leading female movers and shakers all giving us their top tips for success in the business and illuminating us with personal anecdotes and words of female wisdom. Industry luminaries at the event included host, Ita Murphy, MD of MindShare and President of this year’s WACL; ballsy Stevie Spring, CEO of Future Plc and former CEO of Clear Channel; Helen Calcraft, the highly successful, charismatic and motivational Managing Director of Miles Calcraft Briginshaw Duffy; Tess Alps, inspirational CEO of Thinkbox TV; and Cath Kidston, UK Designer.
The speeches were informative, honest, refreshing and highly entertaining and the day passed more like a day out with a group of female friends than your average watching-the-clock training conference. Not that the serious issues affecting women in today’s workplace were in any way muffled or skirted around. Key issues discussed included work-life balance, successfully balancing demanding career and motherhood, bullying, female insecurities at work and equal pay. Delegates were encouraged to find confidence in the workplace and strive for success in a number of ways with top tips ranging from ‘lose the fear – it’s never that bad!’, ‘drop the invisibility cloak’ and, my personal favourite, when in times of trouble and adversity just ‘ply on the red lippy…’. A highly informative and entertaining day – It was one of the most engaging training sessions I’ve ever attended. KS
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