Every year, the ASA Women in Industry ELEVATE Conference reminds us why this community matters. ELEVATE 2026 in Boston, built around the theme Moving Forward Together, was another strong example of how much progress happens when women show up for one another, share openly, and invest in meaningful relationships.

For many attendees, the sessions themselves set the tone for the year ahead. Emily McDonald of Southwest Sales shared that the speakers were both motivating and practical, offering insights ranging from mindset shifts to economic forecasts. She left Boston feeling more prepared and more confident heading into the coming year. Like many others, Emily pointed to networking as her favorite part of ELEVATE, especially the opportunity to reconnect with women she has met over the years and continue building relationships that grow deeper with every conference.

That sense of connection is something Christy Maloney of Coburn Supply Company, the 2026 ASA Woman of the Year, feels year after year. She shared that ELEVATE consistently reinforces an important truth: progress in our industry does not happen alone. It happens when women show up, share experiences, support one another, and encourage growth. For Christy, this year’s theme was more than words on a slide. It was something you could feel throughout the conference, in conversations, sessions, and shared moments.

Several attendees highlighted specific takeaways that stayed with them long after the event ended. Elainea Wiley of The Distribution Point reflected on one speaker’s reminder that it is not your manager’s job to manage your career. The message challenged her to take ownership of her growth, speak up, and clearly communicate her goals. Another standout concept was the “ten percent buffer,” which encouraged women to give themselves permission to be excellent most of the time rather than striving for perfection in every moment. For Elainea, it was an important reminder to extend herself more grace while still pushing for growth.

Longtime attendee Laura Mustee Hendricks of E. L. Mustee & Sons, Inc. shared that what keeps her coming back to ELEVATE is the opportunity to connect with women she would not normally see in her day-to-day role. Through those conversations, she has gained a deeper understanding of the broader supply chain and learned to be a stronger listener and a more patient partner. She also spoke to the strength of the ASA Women in Industry community. Many professional connections have grown into real friendships, even family friendships, making travel, customer visits, and industry events feel more personal and connected. Watching other women grow and succeed, knowing how hard they have worked, continues to be one of her favorite parts of the ELEVATE experience. When asked what advice she would give to someone attending ELEVATE for the first time, Laura kept it simple. Sit at a table that is half full of people you do not know yet and ask questions. Some of the most valuable learning happens through conversations with women in different roles and at different stages of their careers.

For Isabella Porter of Porter Pipe & Supply, ELEVATE 2026 marked her first experience with the conference, and it left a lasting impression. She shared that being surrounded by so many driven and thoughtful women in the industry felt authentic and grounded, not surface level. Isabella had the opportunity to speak on the Build Your Brand panel, which became one of the most meaningful parts of the week for her. The session sparked thoughtful conversations and allowed her to connect with attendees who were engaged, curious, and willing to share their own perspectives openly. Isabella also highlighted Dr. Tasha Eurich’s session as a standout, noting that her insights were both practical and immediately applicable. The exercises introduced during the session were not only impactful in the moment, but also tools Isabella has already started thinking about bringing into her day-to-day work. Overall, she described ELEVATE as a strong first experience and one she is excited to return to.

Wendy Hornak of Preferred Sales echoed the idea that ELEVATE is not a one size fits all experience. Not every session will resonate with every person, but what may feel flat to one attendee can be powerful for another. The value comes from showing up, engaging, and taking ownership of the experience. The mix of learning, shared challenges, honest conversations, and a little bit of fun is what keeps her coming back year after year. As Wendy puts it, #HoldTheLadder.

Together, these reflections capture what makes ELEVATE special. It is not just the content or the city. It is the people, the relationships, and the shared commitment to moving forward together. Through connection, support, and shared experience, ASA Women in Industry continues to strengthen the women who strengthen our industry.