ChickChat Soirees Just for Women

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2010

PRESS RELEASE

SOIREES TAKE NETWORKING FOR WOMEN TO NEW LEVEL, EMPOWER WOMEN TO CONNECT, LEARN AND CARE
One-of-a-Kind Chicago Event Redefines Networking for Women, Attracts Celebrated Speakers and Non-Profits

Chicago, Ill (February 2010) - Women make powerful business and personal allies. Call it their innate need to care for others, but when they come together and support one another, it's said that their loyalty is unparalled. Networking groups created by and especially for women are sprouting up all over the U.S. And it's not just limited to networking. One group, ChickChat, (www.ChickChat.net), seeks to expand women's horizons while encouraging them to build bonds in business, and in life.

As more and more women move into executive positions in addition to the advent of the "mompreneur," women's networking groups over the last several years have become an increasingly effective business tool to connect. A recent Forbes.com article asserts that women network differently than men by forming personal connections, while straightforward men gravitate toward instant gratification transactions, focusing almost strictly on business.

A study by European Professional Women's Network conducted in 2008 with 310 participants found that when a typical senior international professional woman networks for business, she likes to refer people and prefers networking events that are specifically geared toward women. Building relationships with other professional women and acting as a matchmaker between new and old business contacts is also cited by Forbes as one of the networking tactics women employ naturally that strengthens and enriches their professional and personal experiences.

Tracy Klinkroth, Founder of ChickChat and Epiphany Research, has seen the power of women connecting grow throughout her career. "Networking, in general, is a fabulous way to expand one's connections, but my aim was to create an event for women that went beyond that in terms of education and helping others in an environment conducive to building relationships with unique, professional women," says Klinkroth.

Klinkroth's vision for ChickChat is to go the extra mile in providing a unique experience that is both enjoyable and beneficial to women looking to enhance their networking experience in an exciting venue. Themes such as "Let Them Eat Cake!" inspire everything from the featured speaker or entertainment to the food at ChickChat Women's Networking Soirees. Women mingle with local entrepreneurs, connect with local and international charities and even do a little shopping, as a few vendors display their unique products.

ChickChat currently holds events in Chicago and Seattle, encouraging women to connect with each other over similar interests, especially those based in philanthropy and compelling world issues, while introducing them to local businesses, products/services and non-profits.

"Women have come up to me and said, ‘This is a networking event?' They are so surprised to be enjoying themselves at what feels more like a celebration than the same old meet and greet," says Klinkroth.

Because of this celebratory yet empowering atmosphere, women are able to give each other the attention and support they thrive on in networking situations. Listening to each other and reacting is a huge part of what makes women's networking so successful, according to Forbes, and only helps to enhance respect for one another.

As ChickChat continues to grow in scope and attendance, Klinkroth envisions a bright future. Future plans are in the works for opening ChickChat in several new markets including Boston and Los Angeles. But what's most important to Tracy Klinkroth is getting like-minded women together to make meaningful and long-term connections.

"What I really hope to achieve through ChickChat is to help women to become change makers in their own lives, their communities and around the world. We are phenomenal women!," says Klinkroth.

About ChickChat and Tracy Klinkroth
Tracy Klinkroth is a graduate of the SUNY at Geneseo John Wiley Jones School of Business. After honing her skills at Wallace & Washburn and STAT Resources in Boston, Klinkroth moved to Seattle to become a Brand Strategist for EvansGroup Advertising. She founded Epiphany Research in 1997 and has conducted research for brands such as New Balance, Best Buy, and Starbucks. Her latest venture, ChickChat, was founded in Seattle in 2004. In 2009, after years of success in Seattle, Klinkroth decided to expand and bring her unique networking events to Chicago, with plans to open in more markets. ChickChat aims to inform women of all ages about social causes, global issues and other diverse topics while enjoying a fun night out and connecting with like-minded and inspiring women. For more information, visit www.chickchat.net.

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