Cornwall, ON – The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce and the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre (CBEC) are proud to announce the return of their International Women’s Day celebration on March 5th, from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM at the Best Western Parkway Inn & Conference Centre. This year’s event features the provocative and engaging theme “Spill The Tea,” designed to break the silence on essential topics surrounding women’s health and wellness.
The “Spill The Tea” theme encourages an environment of radical honesty and support, moving past polite conversation to address the real wellness challenges women face today. The event will kick off with a powerful keynote address from Karen Brunet, founder of CTRL+, followed by a dynamic fireside chat featuring four guest speakers who will anchor the afternoon’s discussion on health and resilience.
Brunet’s mission with CTRL+ is to help women of all ages regain their comfort and confidence by providing tools to manage bladder leaks, overactive bladder, and pelvic health issues. Her keynote will address the importance of “spilling the tea” on health topics that are often considered taboo, but are vital to female empowerment and living life freely.
“Women often carry their health burdens in silence, but true wellness starts with conversation,” said Angela Bero, Executive Director of the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce. “By ‘spilling the tea’ on everything from pelvic health to mental resilience, we are creating a space where women can support one another in achieving total well-being – physically, professionally, and personally.”
The event is a collaborative effort to support the growth of women in the region. Mireille Lemire, Business Advisor at the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre, emphasized the importance of peer connection through this year’s unique theme. “Events like this matter because they give women a chance to share what it’s really like – the good parts but also the tough ones,” said Lemire. “When we talk openly about wellness, we create a stronger support system where local women can learn from each other. I’m proud to celebrate the resilience and strength of the women who keep Cornwall and SDG’s business community moving forward.”
In addition to the wellness programming, the Chamber will present the She Inspires Award. This award honors a local woman who exemplifies leadership and resilience, specifically highlighting those who have made a positive impact on the lives of others in our community.
About the Keynote Speaker – Karen Brunet:
Karen is a femtech founder who doesn’t back down from a challenge – whether it’s launching a patented medical device or conquering a mountain trail. After decades of personal struggle with bladder health, she invented CNTRL+, a reusable bladder support that’s now FDA-cleared and transforming pelvic health care for women.
Karen’s approach is equal parts science and wild spirit. When she’s not in the lab or scaling her business, you’ll find her backcountry skiing, mountain biking, or hiking with her two teenage daughters. She’s on a mission to remove the shame from women’s health issues and replace it with innovation, confidence, and conversation.
Blazing trails in every sense of the word, Karen is living proof that necessity really is the mother of invention.
Tickets for the International Women’s Day High Tea Luncheon are available now. We invite the community to join us for an afternoon of delicious tea, networking, and transformative conversation.
Sponsorship
Community partners and local businesses are invited to support this event by exploring sponsorship opportunities online. For more information on how to become a sponsor, please visit: Sponsorship Details
She Inspires Awards
For tickets and nomination details for the She Inspires Award, please visit: She Inspires Award Information
About the Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre
The Cornwall SDG Business Enterprise Centre (CBEC) is the primary resource for entrepreneurs in Cornwall, Akwesasne, and SDG. We provide the tools, mentorship, and guidance needed to start and grow successful businesses, fostering a strong and innovative local economy.
About the Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce
The Cornwall & Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading voice of business in the region, dedicated to supporting economic growth, fostering leadership, and building a vibrant, healthy community for all.
