SME Women in Business®

In 1980, SME, Inc. of Sioux Falls began the acclaimed SME Women In Business® event. The event was organized to honor area women who were leaving their mark on the business world.

March 24, 2026
Sioux Falls Convention Center
11:00 AM – 8:30 PM

Click here to purchase your 2026 Women in Business Tickets.

This year’s SME Women in Business event is designed to propel women forward with opportunities to learn, connect, and celebrate success.

Dynamic seminars and workshops led by industry experts, influencers, and leaders across diverse fields.
Immersive experience spaces that spark creativity and innovation.
A vibrant trade fair featuring local businesses showcasing their products and services.
An inspiring evening program highlighted by the prestigious Women of Excellence Awards.
Keynote address by Jaz Ampaw-Farr, renowned speaker and change-maker, sharing her powerful message of resilience and empowerment.

Click to see the full schedule!

Activation Stations | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
To enhance your experience, SME Women in Business will feature a variety of opportunities that will run non-stop from 11 AM – 2 PM in Ballroom B.

» Gratitude Postcards | Sponsored by: Postal Annex
Share your heart of gratitude! Write a postcard to thank a person who has positively impacted your life or your career journey. Tell a friend, mentor, colleague or peer how they have shaped your life and your work for the better!
» Bravery Box Challenge | Sponsored by: MK Counseling
Take a challenge card. Try it today. Step into your brave! Pull a card and carry it with you. Take a breath and when you’re feeling brave, complete the challenge on the card. If you complete your challenge today, be sure to turn your card back in for a chance to win a prize.
» Power Coaching Lab | Sponsored by Melissa Eich Wellness and Bold Identity Studio
Rotate through quick, impactful coaching sessions.
» Zen Zone (Meeting Room 3) | Sponsored by: Furniture Mart
A cozy space to unwind between sessions, connect with new people or simply take a break. Featuring furniture from Furniture Mart. » Philanthropy Project: Evermore Blooms Visit the Evermore Blooms booth at the Trade Fair for a cute photo opportunity and donate to support their mission of supporting grieving mothers with flowers.
» Philanthropy Project: Evermore Blooms
Visit the Evermore Blooms booth at the Trade Fair for a cute photo opportunity and donate to support their mission of supporting grieving mothers with flowers.

Trade Fair | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Explore over 65 vendors showcasing products, services, and opportunities to connect with inspiring women in business.

Afternoon Speaker Sessions (see event schedule for rooms + time)

Sarah Kurtenbach | Bold Money Moves That Matter
Bold Money Moves That Matter helps women move beyond basic financial advice. Through three key strategies, attendees learn to raise expectations, focus on what they control and understand their financial ripple effect. Practical, empowering and designed to inspire confidence—not perfection.
Dr. Melissa Dittberner | Leading with Lived Experience, Courage and Compassion
Dr. Melissa “Mo” Dittberner shares her recovery journey and co-founding Midwest Street Medicine, which delivers care to people experiencing homelessness. Through storytelling, she explores how courage emerges through honesty, vulnerability and action. Attendees will rethink bravery and recognize how their unconventional stories fuel meaningful leadership.
Bridget Bennett | Brave Enough to Be You
“What will they think? Was that good enough?” Nothing crushes your confidence faster than listening to that overthinking little voice focused on what others might be thinking about you. After years of working in front of the camera and large audiences, Bridget Bennett shares some of her biggest takeaways for silencing that inner voice and finding confidence in authenticity, being fully present and being fully you.
Shanna Konz, CNP | Perimenopause, Menopause and Advocating for Your Well-Being
Shanna Konz, CNP, shares about navigating hormonal transitions like perimenopause and menopause with confidence. She explores how hormone changes impact energy, mood and performance, offering evidence-based insight and compassionate guidance. Women will replace silence with knowledge and self-doubt with understanding to thrive at every stage.
Megan Pederson | Pep Talk #1
Ladies: our superpowers are needed. Together, we uncover the superpowers we already carry — empathy, intuition, humor, adaptability and brilliance. Expect laughs, clarity and a not-so-gentle nudge to stop waiting your turn and start showing up as the powerful force you already are.
Alesha Berning | Calming Mealtime Chaos
A practical meal planning session that reduces mealtime chaos and saves time, money and stress. Learn simple steps to create a plan for busy weeks, plus batch cooking strategies and prep techniques for long-term success. Leave with tools you can confidently use at home.
MIND, BODY & MONEY: A WOMEN’S WELLNESS PANEL
Featuring Elizabeth Carlson (American Bank & Trust), Melissa Eich (Melissa Eich Wellness), and Jada Dobesh (Jada Dobesh Healing & Selah Space). Moderated by April Meyerink (American Bank & Trust).

Networking Social | 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Sponsored by: WealthSage Advisors of Raymond James
Take advantage of the opportunity to connect, mingle and unwind with fellow attendees before the evening event kicks off.

Evening Program | Awards, Dinner, and Keynote

ABOUT JAZ AMPAW FARR, KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Jaz Ampaw-Farr is a multi-award-winning international speaker, author of Because of You, This Is Me, and one of the UK’s most sought-after motivational voices. From surviving abuse and foster care to becoming a TEDx speaker, BBC commentator, and stand-up performer at the Edinburgh Festival, Jaz inspires global audiences with humour, humanity, and hard-won wisdom. Her documentary Re-Story Your Life was selected for Diversity in Cannes, and she’s in the Speakers Hall of Fame. As co-founder of Be Human First Ltd, she empowers leaders to lead with courage and connection. Jaz doesn’t just talk—she transforms.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS!

Lead Sponsor: