What to Expect at the HER Women’s Conference in Folsom: A Complete Attendee Guide
If you’re looking for an inspiring women’s conference near Sacramento that combines professional development, personal growth, wellness, networking, and a fun atmosphere, the HER Women’s Conference in Folsom deserves a spot on your calendar.
Held each year at the Harris Center for the Arts, this sold out event brings together hundreds of women from across Northern California for a full day of learning, connection, and encouragement. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, corporate professional, stay at home mom, healthcare worker, nonprofit leader, or simply someone looking to invest in yourself, you’ll find something valuable throughout the day.
I recently attended the HER Women’s Conference and quickly understood why so many attendees return year after year. The event strikes a nice balance between motivational speakers, practical takeaways, meaningful conversations, and opportunities to simply enjoy spending time with other women.
Here’s everything you can expect before, during, and after attending the HER Women’s Conference in Folsom.
What Is the HER Women’s Conference?
The HER Women’s Conference is an annual event hosted in Folsom that focuses on empowering women in every stage of life. Rather than centering only on business or leadership, the conference takes a whole person approach.
Throughout the day, speakers discuss topics such as:
- Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
- Physical health
- Mental wellness
- Financial confidence
- Relationships
- Personal growth
- Communication
- Movement
- Mindfulness
The conference theme centers around helping women become their “HER Best” through education, inspiration, and community. The organizers intentionally create programming that speaks to both personal and professional development, making it accessible for women from many different backgrounds.
Where Is the HER Women’s Conference Held?
The event takes place at the Harris Center for the Arts in Folsom, California.
Located on the campus of Folsom Lake College, the venue offers:
- Comfortable theater seating
- Excellent sound and lighting
- Easy visibility from every section
- Spacious lobby areas
- Plenty of room for networking
- Convenient vendor marketplace
Because everything is located inside one venue, the day flows smoothly without attendees needing to travel between sessions.
Arrive Early for the Best Experience
One of the biggest tips I would give future attendees is to arrive when check in opens.
Registration begins around 8:00 AM, and the first hour is much more than simply picking up your badge.
This is when you’ll enjoy:
- Coffee
- Continental breakfast
- Mimosas
- Music from the event DJ
- Shopping with local vendors
- Casual networking
Many of the conversations that happen before the official program begins end up being some of the most memorable parts of the day. People are relaxed, excited, and open to meeting someone new.
If you arrive just before the opening speaker, you’ll miss a large part of the overall conference experience.
Expect a Full Day of Inspiration
Unlike shorter networking events, the HER Women’s Conference is a full day experience.
The program typically begins around 9:30 AM and continues into the late afternoon with a happy hour celebration before concluding around 5:00 PM.
Rather than listening to one keynote after another, the schedule keeps things interesting by rotating between different presentation styles and topics.
The day includes:
- Opening remarks
- Keynote speakers
- Educational sessions
- Panel discussions
- Wellness presentations
- Interactive moments
- Entertainment
- Networking opportunities
- Vendor shopping
- Raffle prizes
- Happy hour
The variety helps keep energy levels high throughout the day.
You’ll Hear From Incredible Speakers
One of the strongest parts of the conference is the speaker lineup. Each speaker brings expertise from a different industry while sharing practical lessons attendees can immediately apply.
Recent keynote speakers have included:
Amy Jo Martin
A New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, investor, and podcast host, Amy Jo Martin shares lessons on leadership, courage, and taking action.
Her presentations often encourage attendees to stop waiting for the “perfect time” and begin pursuing goals with confidence.
Sarah Wells
Olympian Sarah Wells delivers one of the conference’s most energetic keynote presentations.
Drawing from her experiences as an elite athlete and competitor, she speaks about resilience, overcoming setbacks, and performing under pressure.
Her message resonates with anyone navigating career challenges, parenting, entrepreneurship, or major life transitions.
How Much Do Tickets Cost for the HER Women’s Conference?
The HER Women’s Conference offers a few ticket options depending on the experience you’re looking for. Early Bird tickets were priced at $125, making them the best value for attendees who purchased in advance. Once Early Bird tickets sold out, General Admission increased to $150. For those wanting a more elevated experience, VIP tickets were available for $245 and included premier theater seating, access to a book signing, professional headshots, and several additional VIP perks. Since the conference regularly sells out, purchasing tickets early is the best way to secure your spot while saving money.
Sessions Cover More Than Business
One thing that sets HER apart from many women’s conferences is the variety of topics. Instead of focusing only on careers, each session explores another area of life that contributes to overall wellbeing.
Examples include:
Health
Medical professionals discuss women’s health, preventive care, and overall wellness.
Finances
Financial experts provide guidance on budgeting, investing, planning, and building confidence with money.
Mindfulness
Attendees learn practical techniques for reducing stress and creating healthier daily habits.
Communication
Leadership experts offer strategies for improving communication both professionally and personally.
Movement
Expect interactive sessions that remind attendees how physical movement contributes to better health and energy.
The variety keeps every hour feeling fresh.
Networking Feels Natural
Some conferences make networking feel intimidating. The HER Women’s Conference does a nice job creating opportunities that feel much more relaxed.
Conversations happen naturally while:
- Waiting for coffee
- Shopping with vendors
- Standing in lunch lines
- Visiting sponsor booths
- During happy hour
- Before sessions begin
- Between presentations
You’ll meet women from:
- Small businesses
- Large corporations
- Healthcare
- Education
- Government
- Nonprofits
- Creative industries
- Real estate
- Marketing
- Technology
Many attendees arrive alone, making it easy to strike up conversations with people sitting nearby.
Don’t Forget to Grab Your Swag Bag
One of the fun perks of attending the HER Women’s Conference is receiving a swag bag filled with goodies from sponsors and local businesses. Depending on the year, you may find beauty products, wellness samples, coupons, snacks, promotional items, and information about women-owned businesses and community organizations. It’s a nice way to discover new brands while taking home a few useful treats, so be sure to leave a little extra room in your bag for everything you’ll collect throughout the day.
Shopping Local Vendors Is Part of the Experience
One of my favorite parts of the conference is exploring the vendor marketplace.
Throughout the day you’ll find local businesses showcasing products and services that support women in various ways.
Depending on the year, vendors may include:
- Boutique clothing
- Jewelry
- Wellness products
- Skincare
- Health providers
- Financial services
- Home businesses
- Local nonprofits
- Fitness studios
- Community organizations
It’s a great opportunity to discover businesses you may not have otherwise found.
Lunch Gives Everyone Time to Recharge
The conference includes a lunch break and the meal is provided. The break allows attendees to:
- Eat
- Continue networking
- Visit vendors
- Stretch
- Recharge before afternoon sessions
Rather than rushing through lunch, many attendees spend the break catching up with new friends or continuing conversations from earlier in the morning.
The Energy Stays High All Day
A full day conference can sometimes feel exhausting. HER keeps the atmosphere upbeat by mixing educational content with moments of fun. Music from the DJ, movement sessions, raffles, audience interaction, and positive speakers help prevent the afternoon slump.
By the end of the day, attendees often leave feeling energized rather than drained.
You’ll Leave With Practical Takeaways
The presentations aren’t simply motivational speeches. Many speakers provide actionable advice you can implement immediately.
Depending on the session, you may leave with:
- Better productivity habits
- Leadership strategies
- Wellness tips
- Financial planning ideas
- Communication techniques
- Goal setting exercises
- Stress management tools
- Professional development resources
It’s worth bringing a notebook because there are plenty of ideas you’ll want to remember later.
Dress Code
Business casual is the most common attire.
Many women wear:
- Dresses
- Blazers
- Nice jeans
- Comfortable flats
- Fashion sneakers
- Business casual outfits
Since you’ll be walking between sessions, visiting vendors, and standing during networking opportunities, comfortable shoes are a smart choice.
Dress to Impress for the Photo Booths
One fun detail that first-time attendees may not expect is just how many photo opportunities there are throughout the HER Women’s Conference. From beautifully decorated photo booths to branded backdrops and sponsor displays, you’ll find plenty of spots to snap pictures with friends, coworkers, and the new connections you make throughout the day. If you enjoy sharing your experience on Instagram or LinkedIn, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of them.
What Should You Bring?
A few items can make your day more enjoyable.
I recommend bringing:
- Phone charger
- Reusable water bottle
- Notebook
- Pen
- Business cards
- Small tote bag for vendor giveaways
- Light sweater since conference rooms can sometimes feel cool
Why the Conference Sells Out
The HER Women’s Conference regularly reaches max capacity. After attending, it’s easy to understand why. The organizers create an experience that feels polished without becoming overly formal.
There is a genuine sense of encouragement throughout the day. Women aren’t competing with one another. They’re cheering each other on. That atmosphere makes a lasting impression.
If you’re considering attending, purchasing tickets early is the best approach because the event has sold out in advance.
Is the HER Women’s Conference Worth Attending?
If you’re looking for a conference that combines inspiration with practical learning, I think the answer is yes. The event delivers much more than motivational speeches.
You’ll leave with:
- New ideas
- Professional connections
- Practical advice
- Personal encouragement
- Local business discoveries
- Inspiration to pursue new goals
Whether you’re growing a business, advancing your career, navigating a life transition, or simply wanting to spend a day investing in yourself, HER offers something meaningful.
The combination of nationally recognized speakers, local experts, networking opportunities, wellness sessions, and community support makes it one of the standout women’s conferences in the Sacramento region.
Tips for First-Time Attendees
To make the most of your day:
- Purchase tickets early before they sell out.
- Arrive when check in opens to enjoy breakfast, mimosas, and vendor shopping.
- Bring business cards if you’re interested in networking.
- Take notes throughout the presentations.
- Leave time during breaks to browse local vendors.
- Introduce yourself to the people sitting nearby. Many attendees come alone and are happy to chat.
- Stay through the happy hour celebration, raffle, and closing activities.
Final Thoughts
The HER Women’s Conference in Folsom is more than a day of keynote speakers. It is a celebration of women supporting women while learning, growing, and building meaningful connections.
From the welcoming atmosphere and thoughtfully curated speaker lineup to the local vendors, networking opportunities, and practical sessions on health, finances, leadership, communication, and personal growth, the event offers something valuable for every attendee.
Whether this is your first conference or your tenth, you’ll likely leave with fresh ideas, renewed motivation, and a notebook full of actionable insights. If you’re looking for one of the best women’s conferences near Sacramento, the HER Women’s Conference is well worth adding to your calendar.
