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2025 PEIBWA Symposium

October 17, 2025 at the Loyalist Country Inn & Conference Centre in Summerside.


2025 PEIBWA Symposium

Join us for a transformative day of learning, inspiration, and networking at the 2025 PEIBWA Symposium. This highly anticipated event, hosted by the Prince Edward Island Business Women’s Association, is dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs and business leaders to achieve their highest potential. 

Symposium Date: October 17, 2025 
Time: 9:00 AM- 4:00/5:00 PM
Location: The Loyalist Country Inn & Conference Centre, 195 Heather Moyse Drive, Summerside

This one day event is more than just a symposium—it celebrates entrepreneurship, it is a platform for innovative ideas, and a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Throughout the day, you'll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share your experiences, and gain valuable insights from industry experts.


Event Highlights

Inspiring Keynote Speakers: Hear from trailblazing women leaders who have made significant strides in their respective fields. Learn from their journeys, challenges, and successes. Learn more about the incredible line up of speakers further on this page. 

Engaging Breakout Sessions: Participate in breakout sessions designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your pursuit of business excellence. Topics to be released shortly.

Networking Opportunities: Build meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs, potential mentors, and industry professionals. Our networking sessions are structured to help you forge partnerships and collaborations that can propel your business forward.


Why Attend?

Empowerment: Leave feeling inspired and empowered with new ideas and strategies to fuel your success.

Education: Gain practical knowledge and skills that you can immediately apply to your business.

Connection:  Expand your network with valuable contacts who share your passion and drive for business excellence.

Growth: Discover new opportunities for personal and professional growth in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with a community of dynamic women entrepreneurs. Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, the 2025 PEIBWA Symposium has something for everyone.

Registration Options

For a limited time, PEIBWA is pleased to offer Early Bird Summer Savings on all 2025 Symposium registration options. Register by August 29, 2025 to save $25 on your registration. Don’t miss this opportunity to attend one of PEI’s most inspiring events for women in business at an exclusively reduced rate! Not yet a PEIBWA Member? Join today to save on Symposium registration.

Early Bird Summer Savings Pricing (Until August 29, 2025):

PEIBWA Members: $100 plus tax
Non-Members: $150 plus tax

Regular Pricing (After August 29, 2025):

PEIBWA Members: $125 plus tax
Non-Members: $175 plus tax

We're also excited to be offering 15% off of Symposium Registration for organization/business groups of 3 or more (must all be employed by the same organization/business and purchased at the same time). This promo is only valid between August 30, 2025 - October 17, 2025. Please email office@peibwa.org for promo code. 
 

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity— register today and be part of an unforgettable experience!


Speakers

More to be added! Stay tuned.


Tia Upshaw

Morning Keynote Session - Built to Rise: Resilience as a Woman in Business. 

Tia Upshaw is an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Blk Women in Excellence (BWIE), a national platform supporting Black and Brown women in business. Known for her bold presence and real-talk approach, Tia has helped hundreds of women launch, grow, and lead businesses with confidence.

As a mother of three, author, and changemaker, she understands the grit it takes to build something meaningful while breaking generational barriers. Tia is also the Professional in Residence at the Saint Mary’s University L. Arthur Entrepreneurship Centre &Acadia University, where she mentors aspiring entrepreneurs through an Afrocentric lens. Her work has earned her national recognition, including the Top 100 Black Women in Canada and the Nova Scotia, 50 Most powerful CEOs in Atlantic Canada.

Whether she’s on stage or in the community, Tia shows up with purpose, passion, and a mission: to make sure no woman feels like she has to navigate business or life alone. 

Connect with Tia Upshaw on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and online at:  https://www.bwiecanada.com/ and https://www.itistiaupshaw.com/ 


Shelley Montreuil

Morning Keynote Session: Networking like a Rock Star

Shelley Montreuil is the Co-founder and CEO of trippl, a tourism technology company revolutionizing destination marketing. 

Drawing from her diverse background as a working musician, band manager, and serial entrepreneur, Shelleybrings a unique perspective to professional networking. 

With 20+ years of entrepreneurial experience and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) designation, she combines technical expertise with rock-solid people skills. 

Her upcoming talk, "Networking Like a Rock Star," draws from years touring Eastern Canada's music scene where she earned her road warrior status. 

Shelley's networking philosophy of being genuine, unique, and adding value, has been key to her success in building businesses across web development, hospitality, and tourism tech. Join her to learn how networking isn't just something you do as a business owner; it's THE thing that drives success. 

Connect with Shelley on LinkedIn, and online at: https://shelleymontreuil.com/ 


Sharon Ross

Afternoon Breakout Session: Building and Sustaining a Culture of Excellence in Your Business

Sharon Ross brings 23 years of expertise in business within the aerospace industry, complemented by an additional decade of experience in the non-profit sector. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded numerous improvement programs and transformation initiatives, consistently driving positive impacts on business results and organizational cultures. 

Sharon is an engaging speaker, leader and teacher.  Some of the topics that she has enjoyed teaching and facilitating throughout her career include Lean Six Sigma methodology, change management, problem-solving, strategy formulation and deployment, rapid improvement workshops, visual management, and leadership.  She takes great satisfaction from continuous learning and has a Bachelor of Business Administration, a GreenBelt from Dalhousie University and a diploma in Corporate Innovation program from Stanford Graduate School of Business. 

Sharon is known for key strengths that she brings to every opportunity: a relentless focus on creating value for the customer, a demonstrated ability to strategically align leaders for transformative change, and a passion for developing, engaging and empowering people.

In her spare time Sharon enjoys spending time with her sons, pets, extended family and close friends. She is a foodie and loves to cook, enjoys cycling and playing golf and has fun finding creative outlets. She has been an active volunteer with various boards and committees and likes to inspire improvement wherever she goes.

Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn and online: www.plaidconsulting.com


About the Venue

Located in downtown Summerside with stunning harbour views, The Loyalist Country Inn & Conference Centre is the perfect place for your next PEI getaway.

Summerside is a city rich with history, sightseeing, recreation, arts & culture, food & drink, and fun! Overlooking the Summerside harbour, The Loyalist & Country Inn Conference Centre is the perfect spot to start your next Prince County adventure. Within steps of the Loyalist, you will find walking trails, restaurants, bars, cafes, boutique shops, dairy bars, museums, historical landmarks, and bustling community events.

 — only 40 minutes from Charlottetown this venue will host a memorable PEIBWA Symposium. With special room rates available for Symposium attendees, the 2025 PEIBWA Symposium is an opportunity to recharge, reset, and grow in the City by the Sea.


Information on Room Rates

When you're attending the symposium, there's no better place to stay than right at the venue! The Loyalist & Country Inn Conference Centre offers beautifully appointed rooms that provide comfort and convenience just steps away from all the action. 

We're happy to share that a limited number of Standard Rooms are available for Symposium attendees at a preferred rate, please stay tuned for additional details in the coming days.

Cancellation Policy

Tickets are non-refundable, must be purchased in advance and have no cash value, but may be transferred up to 10 days before the event as long as PEIBWA is notified of any/all changes. Failure to attend this scheduled event will result in loss of event fees. If an event is rescheduled or canceled due to weather issues, participants will be contacted by email. If an event is canceled, refunds will be issued or participants rescheduled at no charge.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Platinum Sponsor: Provincial Credit Union

Gold Sponsor: Consolidated Credit Union


Silver Sponsor: PEI Mutual