More than 350 women from across the Grand Strand gathered at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center on Oct. 2 to celebrate the fifth annual Ignite Women’s Conference, packing big ideas, meaningful conversations and new connections into one energizing morning.
Hosted by the Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative and Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Ignite brought together women from a variety of industries and career stages for a program focused on professional development, personal growth and building relationships.
“Seeing more than 350 women come together to learn from and support one another is exactly what Ignite is about,” said Kema Faulk Parsley, director of events for the Greater Myrtle Beach Collaborative and Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. “We want women to leave with new ideas, meaningful connections and the momentum to take whatever their next step may be.”
Inspiring Presentations with Ideas to Put into Practice
Julie Austin, an award-winning author, inventor, futurist and CEO of Creative Innovation Group, delivered the keynote address, sharing lessons from an entrepreneurial journey that began with a problem.
After passing out from dehydration while running, Austin invented Swiggies, a wrist-worn water bottle. She took the product from prototype through patenting, manufacturing and international distribution, eventually selling more than 1 million units in 25 countries.
Her presentation, “Creating Serendipity,” explored how curiosity, new experiences and conversations with unfamiliar people can lead to unexpected opportunities. Austin described serendipity as discovering something valuable that you were not looking for, then recognizing and acting on the opportunity.
For attendees, that meant looking beyond familiar routines: asking open-ended questions, sharing a problem they were trying to solve and being willing to step outside their comfort zones. A conversation with someone new could offer a useful perspective, an introduction or an idea they might otherwise miss.
The morning began with opening speaker Jessica M. Reese, a brand strategist, author and transformational coach who founded the PYNK Butterfly brand. In “Ignite Your Next: Give Yourself Permission to Become,” Reese drew from her transition from a corporate career to cosmetology, business ownership and helping women communicate the value of their work.
Reese challenged attendees to consider what they kept postponing and what would help them move forward. Her presentation outlined seven shifts in thinking, including moving from overthinking to ownership, hiding to highlighting and collecting information to taking action. She also encouraged women to examine commitments that consume their time and consider whether familiar definitions of success still fit their goals.
Her presentation culminated in a personal permission slip: identify an action, set a date and name the support needed to follow through. The exercise gave attendees a way to turn the morning’s inspiration into a specific commitment they could carry home.
Three Breakouts, Three Topics That Matter
This year’s schedule gave attendees the opportunity to choose from three breakout sessions focused on issues that can have a direct impact at work and at home.
Melissa Gordon Glenn, client threat prevention team lead with Bank of America’s Cyber Crime Defense organization, led “Cybersecurity at the Workplace and Beyond,” drawing from her experience in cybersecurity, financial crimes, compliance and technology delivery.
Financial advisor Taneisha Gore presented “Your Money Has a Seat at the Table: Are You Making Decisions Like the Woman You Are Becoming?” focusing on financial goals and making informed decisions about building wealth.
Licensed professional counselor LaNiece Langley led “Mental Overload: Letting Go of the Day by Day,” addressing stress, anxiety, grief, trauma and the importance of mental health and self-care.
Together, the sessions gave attendees practical information to complement the broader messages of inspiration and professional growth shared from the main stage.
More Ways to Connect
Connection at Ignite extended beyond the stage and breakout rooms. Attendees also explored a vendor marketplace featuring local businesses, nonprofits and service providers, creating additional opportunities to meet organizations and discover resources available in the community.
This year’s exhibitors included Alabama Theatre, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Carolina Energy Conservation, Carolina Health Specialists, Cornerstone Caregiving, Design The Sign LLC, Eastern Carolina Housing Organization (ECHO), Flooring Plus, Haute Events & Destination Management, Hunter Quinn Homes, Lighthouse Behavioral Health Hospital, Neighbor to Neighbor of South Carolina, O.C.D. Organizing, Cleaning, & Decluttering LLC, Pleasantville Home Care, PURE Compounding Pharmacy, Rape Crisis Center of Horry and Georgetown Counties, Shop Ravel, StrongSelves Studio LLC, Waccamaw Dermatology and Wave of Light Chiropractic.
Nicole Huckabee, an award-winning broadcast journalist and familiar face in Grand Strand television, served as emcee, guiding attendees through the morning’s program. Huckabee also shared information on ELEVATE Wellness Podcast, which she is a co-host and focuses on wellness, healthy living and creating meaningful conversations around well-being. DJ D’Midd, also known as Denetria Middleton, kept the energy going throughout the morning.
The morning also included an unexpected burst of energy when attendees were surprised by a flash mob, turning the conference floor into a celebration and getting the crowd on its feet. The surprise brought a little fun to a program packed with learning and conversation and captured the spirit of Ignite’s fifth anniversary: women coming together to connect, encourage one another and enjoy the experience.
The Women & Organizations Behind Ignite
The fifth anniversary also provided an opportunity to recognize the Ignite Women’s Council, whose members contribute their time, ideas and energy to help make Ignite possible throughout the year.
The 2026 council included Lauren Balogh, Alexis Edge, Leigh Ann Edwards, Cecilia Evans, Melissa Fowble, Hatton Gravely, Dr. Jessica Greene, Samantha Huff, Jessica Kirkman, Lauren Morris, Tam Muncy, Brittany Park, Tonya Robinson, Kim Rodgers-Clora, Eileen Soisson, Anna Strickland, Lindy Strouds, Ellen Sycks and Diane Toth.
Representing businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions and community organizations throughout the Grand Strand, the council helps ensure Ignite reflects the interests and experiences of women across the region.
The 2026 Ignite Women’s Conference was sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, HTC, Burr & Forman, State Farm – Jamesha Gore-Coggin, Pleasantville Home Care, Design The Sign, Haute Events & Destination Management and Native Sons.
Five Years of Making Connections
While the format was shorter this year, connection remained at the heart of Ignite. Attendees were encouraged to introduce themselves to someone new, ask questions, exchange ideas and make a connection that could continue long after the conference ended.
“This conference is about much more than bringing women together for one morning,” Parsley said. “It’s about creating a space where women can connect, learn from one another, be inspired and walk away feeling empowered to take the next step in their life goals.”
Austin’s emphasis on unexpected opportunities and Reese’s call to put a next move on the calendar gave that message a practical direction. Following up with someone they met, asking for support or setting aside time for a postponed goal offered attendees ways to keep the morning’s momentum going.
Five years in, Ignite’s impact can continue well beyond the room, through the relationships women build and the decisions they make next.