WOMEN IN BUSINESS EVENTS

The Downtown Rutland Partnership is hosting a series of Women in Business events in 2025. These events are meant to celebrate and empower women-owned and -led businesses, organizations, and nonprofits in the Downtown Rutland Historic District. These events are FREE for businesses, organizations, and non-profits located in the Downtown District of Rutland, Vermont. For Businesses located outside the Downtown District, there will be a small fee.

Priority registration will be given to women and gender-expansive individuals working in Downtown Rutland. All genders are welcome. While these events and workshops are shaped for women in business, all attendees will find value in the content presented.

Our Women in Business Events are funded by a Vermont Women’s Fund grant and supported by additional donations from our local community.

PAST EVENTS

ICE CREAM SOCIAL: A WOMEN IN BUSINESS MIXER

HELD: June 3, 2025 at Prouty’s Parlor for Ice Cream

Thank you to everyone who attended our second Women in Business Mixer: an Ice Cream Social at Prouty's Parlor in Downtown Rutland, Vermont! We enjoyed an evening of conversation and networking with a guided discussion on work-life balance led by Abbey Harlow from Harlow Nonprofit Consulting.

Thank you to Sherri and Paige Prouty for providing their space and delicious treas. Thank you to Abbey Harlow for providing her time for the work/life balance discussion.

We also thank our event supporters whose contributions make these events possible:
Thank you to the Vermont Women’s Fund, our grant funder.
Thank you to our event’s GOLD Sponsor Heritage Family Credit Union.

Workshops: WomEN In BuSINESS

HELD: April 29, 2025 at The HUB CoWorks

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our workshop presenters, panelists, and participants for being with us for a day-long event of business workshops and networking designed to empower women-owned and -led businesses!

Attendees heard from and connected with industry experts and peers, focused on strategies to support, grow, and manage their businesses. A valuable for businesses, organizations, and nonprofits at all stages of growth.

Check out our Facebook album of event photos by Shandi Marie Photography.

MIXER: WOMEN IN BUSINESS

HELD: March 26, 2025 at The Mad Rose

Thank you to everyone who attended our Women in Business Mixer on March 26th at The Mad Rose in Downtown Rutland, Vermont! The incredible energy, enthusiasm, and engagement of over 50 attendees contributed to the event's success!

We sincerely appreciate our incredible panelists: Calista Budrow from GreenSpell Plant Shop, Jadziah DeRosia from Camille's Experienced Clothing, Ana MacDuff from Mountain Girl Cannabis, and Jennifer Usher from Make It Sew. We also thank our wonderful moderator, Liz DiMarco Weinmann, for guiding the conversation around the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats your downtown businesses face.

Check out our Facebook album of event photos by Shandi Marie Photography.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Inclusive Participation: This event is open to all women, gender-expansive individuals, and men involved in the Downtown Rutland business community.
Valuable Networking: Businesses, organizations, and nonprofits are encouraged to participate, as the event will offer valuable networking opportunities.
Community Growth: The primary goal is to foster connections within our downtown area, leading to greater community engagement and business growth.
Supportive Male Allies: Male business owners and leaders are invited to participate in this mixer to engage with and support women in the local business community.
Nonprofits: We encourage nonprofits to attend, as their leaders operate their organizations similarly to small businesses, highlighting shared challenges and experiences.

BECOME A SPONSOR

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR WOMEN BUSINESS LEADERS IN DOWNTOWN RUTLAND
Sponsorship levels are available for our Women in Business Workshop Series.
Please reach out to Alex at alexandra@downtownrutland.com to become a sponsor.

These events are generously supported by the Vermont Women’s Fund.