Just came back from the GHC 14 held in Phoenix, would recommend it to every female who either already works in IT field or studies in Computer related subjects. Students can get sponsorship for the trip, and MANY very big companies (Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Oracle, Linkedin, HP, Visa, American express, Intel etc) collected resumes and even offered interviews. I was told by a US university professor that may students got job offers thru this conference. The next one in 2015 will be held in Huston. (Now I wish I have a daughter)

My knowledge and experience for this conference:

99% of the 8.000 attendees were women, while about 5.000 were students. Here is the link for all the programs:

http://gracehopper.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ABI_GHC-2014-Online-Program_Addendum.pdf

There were award presentations and keynote talks every day, it’s hard not to be inspired by the women who have made big impact to others and who have done great works in the IT field.

Also there were many presentations and panel discussions to address the problems and barriers that many women are facing, as well as new trend of technical topics. Following you can download one of my favorites:

http://womensleadershipcoaching.com/ghc14.htm

This was a very good time to connect with others, I connected to 6 others from very big companies in one group discussion. So you may want to bring your business cards.

I met two classmates from my university there. And I came to know quite some attendees, while on the way to the convention center, taking same taxi back to hotel, having breakfast or dinner at same table, on the shuttle bus, group discussions, and even waiting in the line to woman’s restroom . . . . . The special atmosphere at GHC was that everyone can become friends very quickly.