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WithIt Announces 2025 Conference in Kansas City Featuring Keynote Speaker Barb Betts

Furniture World News Desk on 3/31/2025


WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry, will hold its annual professional conference June 2–4 at the Kansas City Marriott in Kansas City, Missouri. This year’s event, themed Power Up! Influence – Inspire – Impact, will include keynote speaker Barb Betts, a real estate broker, entrepreneur, and host of the Relationships are Your Superpower® podcast.

Betts brings over two decades of experience in relationship-based sales strategy and business leadership. At the WithIt conference, she will deliver a keynote presentation focused on building trust-based professional connections and challenging traditional approaches to relationship-building in business.

“At WithIt’s 2025 Power Up! conference, she will deliver a high-energy, engaging presentation designed to challenge conventional thinking about relationships and equip attendees with practical tools to build meaningful, results-driven connections,” the organization said. “Her strategies are especially relevant to the home furnishings industry, where in-person engagement is critical to professional growth and long-term success.”

The two-day conference program includes sessions aimed at developing leadership capabilities across experience levels. Featured presentations include:

  • The Upward Influence Playbook – Speak Up, Manage Up, Move Forward with Dr. Sarah Glova, instructor at Duke and North Carolina State University
  • 10 Secrets to Level Up Your Leadership with Kansas City-based speaker and author Tara Renze
  • Industry-focused insights from Nora Gomez, Chief Merchandising Officer at NFM, and Hailey Meyer of Compassionately Transparent Coaching

"The WithIt Conference is a unique opportunity for industry professionals to step away from their day-to-day responsibilities and focus on growth, leadership, and connection," said Amy Van Dorp, executive director of WithIt. "Our program is designed to empower individuals with fresh ideas, valuable skills, and meaningful relationships that can propel their careers forward. The program is the most cost-effective in the industry and a deal for the incredible number of speakers and professional development topics presented."

This year’s conference represents a milestone for WithIt, as membership has reached its highest level to date, and the event moves to Kansas City for the first time. The change in venue offers a new setting for attendees to connect with peers, gain industry insights, and explore leadership strategies relevant to a broad range of roles.

"As a first-time attendee last year, I immediately felt welcomed by women at all stages of their careers," said Hannah Dickerson, marketing coordinator for Flex2Communicate. "Through the engaging workshops and discussions, I gained valuable insights into what fuels me in the workplace and how to build on my strengths. I also learned what it takes to step into leadership roles with confidence, hearing firsthand about the challenges and victories other women have faced as they advanced their careers.”

Registration for the 2025 WithIt Conference is now open. Early-bird pricing is available through May 1. The event includes networking sessions, interactive panels, and workshops designed to support leadership growth and collaboration among women in the home and furnishings industry.

 

 

About WithIt
 WithIt, is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1997 on the core belief that women should play a major role in the growth and development of the retail and home furnishings industries. Expanding on the values and their initial mission, WithIt has grown to include international membership, whose supporters encompass innovators, influencers, thought leaders, and senior executives for leading retailers, home and furnishings brands. WithIt works to uplift and help women to see the value in forging relationships, networking, encouraging and developing education, mentoring, and leadership opportunities. To create and build space for women leaders and to empower young females entering our industry, WithIt is supported by national sponsors who are active partners in growing the organization, including Andmore, Tempur Sealy, Myriad Software, FurnitureDealer.net, J.B. Hunt Final Mile, Synchrony Bank, and more.