Where do we even start? On Tuesday 27 October, a room full of brilliant women (and some very supportive allies) came together at Quarterhouse in Docklands for Recharge Your Spark 26. Then, for the rest of All Energy, people kept stopping us in the aisles to say it was our best one yet, which is the best reward we could have for all of the effort that goes into an event like this!
Recharge Your Spark is the warm-up act before All Energy, and our favourite afternoon of the year. It's a chance to catch up with old friends, meet some new ones, talk about the things that matter to women in our industry and walk out feeling stronger, more inspired and more connected. This year, our new space at Quarterhouse made that easy. It was bright, relaxed and roomy enough for everyone to mingle over lunch and a glass of wine. Getting people to stop chatting and take their seats was our only real challenge, and that's the kind of problem we love to have.
Our mate Nigel Morris from the Smart Energy Council kicked things off with a lovely welcome. Then Tarla Lambert-Patel, Editor-in-Chief of Women's Agenda, steered our panel with her trademark wit and warmth. Our panellists shared their stories so openly and generously that more than a few people told us it was the highlight of the day. These are women leading in their own ways and solving real problems, and the conversations they sparked were worth turning up for alone.
Then Ashley Belteky took the stage and won everyone over. Ashley went from heavy vehicle diesel mechanic to founder of Blue Leader and host of the Tradies Who Lead podcast. She is funny, humble, honest and so easy to connect with, and her story of finding her place in a male-dominated industry struck a chord with everyone in the room. Several attendees told us she was the best speaker we've ever had, which we can well believe!
To our sponsors, Solar Juice and Envision Energy: what would we do without you? Thank you for believing in what we do and for helping us create a space where women in solar can lift each other up.
And to our wonderful volunteers and organising team, who somehow fit all of this in around jobs, kids, school runs and everything else life throws at them, thank you. You are the heart of AWISE, and we're so proud of you.
Most of all, thank you to everyone who came, laughed, shared and made it such a special afternoon. We're already counting down to next year. Until then, come and join us as a member. We're a friendly bunch, we promise, and there's always room for one more xx
