A brave woman undertook the challenge of running Creative Innovation 2010. This is a risky new project and we approached as many women as men to be speakers. To secure the 30 or so confirmed speakers we approached over 200 speakers globally; half of them women. Some were unavailable for the dates, others wanted to be paid more money than we could afford. Pleasingly we originally had a good number of women booked, but surprisingly, for various reasons, including pregnancy, they pulled out or were unable to subsequently make the dates. We are disappointed about this, and are confident that more women will join as speakers in the future.

Meanwhile, we put out the call for Innovation Leaders Scholarships and out of over 100 applicants have awarded 10 of these – 5 of these to outstanding women. You will be amazed at their stories during the conference.

For the future, we are open to all suggestions to add to the list of high profile innovative speakers (women and men) to be considered for 2011. Please send us any recommendations and support this event. With your support this 2010 event will be a major success, and then we will have even more choice and further opportunities available in the future.