Step right up to the perfect blend of serious business growth and restorative belly laughs: FunFerence 2026.
Â
From October 7-10, 2026, we're transforming Denver's marvelous Limelight Hotel into a hub of connection, camaraderie, and creativity, exclusively for members of The Dames.
Â
Join Us For The Event You've Been Craving! Is this your moment?
FunFerence is a call to arms (or better yet, hugs and high-fives) for every Dame driven by the core desires to:
- Elevate her business or career to the next level through a flurry of actionable insights and inspiration
- Cultivate connections that transcend the transactional in an environment that feels like home (but better)
- Embrace and frankly heal from the entrepreneurial journey with laughter, joy, and a dash of Dames’ flair.
The Magic of FunFerence, Explained...
Elevate, Celebrate, Repeat
We know your time is precious so we've designed the FunFerence to bring you the very best of The Dames!Â
You'll experience business growth education you won't find anywhere else, the Better Together dinner where the networking is as delicious as the food, and a full-day of aligned activities and experiences... plus so many FunFerence only perks.
Past attendees will tell you they took pages and pages of notes and were never once bored. (There’s a reason we don’t call it a conference.)
FunFerence is where your journey accelerates joyfully.
Deep Connections that Count (and Feel Like Family!)
Far beyond the business card, you’ll find the heart of The Dames FunFerence - connections that resonate on a soul level.
Plan to join us for the welcome barbeque the evening before and our excursions the morning after the main event to get the most out of your experience!
Previous years’ events saw countless collaborations, referrals, and honest-to-goodness friendships (among introverts and extroverts alike!). And this year, we’ve built in even more opportunities to meet, mingle, and mastermind.
Â
FunFerence is where your network expands, not just with contacts but with companions.
Pause your Day-to-Day Duties to Have Growth Moments!
It can be challenging to walk away from your business for multiple days. That’s why we create the agenda for your “figure-it-all-out-fest” to be as transformational and pleasurable as possible.
Â
From our lively group dinners to our cozy small group brainstorming sessions, FunFerence is designed to refuel you.
There is no one way to FunFerence! In fact, there is no right way to FunFerence, either! It's a "come as you are, leave as you want to be" kind of affair.
Â
FunFerence is where you’ll slow down, speed up, or spin out something new as needed.Â
FunFerence is yours to shape and savor.Â
Â
If you’re growth-minded and hungry for new skills…
Join us for an event beyond compare, featuring mastermind-workshop-style sessions tailored to your revenue, company size, or leadership position.
You’ll receive insights and support specific to your professional growth journey and goals. (Facilitators and other details will be announced as they are finalized!)
You’ll love our “Better Together” dinner party, which is equal parts enlightening and uproarious (and yet somehow introvert-friendly). Followed by our "extrovert fun gala-style night" in the ballroom and our "introvert's quiet connection space" in another room!
As always, we'll have special surprises, experiences, and activations designed to recharge and inspire you.
Even if you just really want to get out of your office…
Did we mention The Limelight is our home base this year? The Limelight is known for it's alpine decor, location, gym, spa (including in-room services!), restaurants and more. It's a true escape and one of Denver's most beloved boutique hotels. And it's located right near Denver's Union Station, making transport to the hotel from the airport a cinch!
If you’re ready to strut into your next level with clarity, strategy, and sisterly support - we wholeheartedly invite you to join us.
Wednesday, October 7 • 4:00 PM
Welcome Dames! FunFerence Happy Hour
Thursday, October 8 ~ Times TBA |
|||
FunFerence Day One
|
|
Thursday, October 8 • Times TBA
Better Together Dinner & Fun!
An evening all about connection, collaboration and FUN! It's the perfect way to decompress a jam-packed day.
What to Expect:
*Connection, laughter, and restoration.
*Breakthroughs in the business areas where you’ve been holding yourself back
*Performances by members of The Dames
*Special surprises throughout the night
Meals included:Â Dinner for all attendees
Friday, October 9 •Times TBA |
FunFerence Day TwoFocus: Energy, Alignment, Restoration, Community  Today is all about personal and professional growth! Rapidly deepen your relationships (with any personality type) through low-stress engagments and environements designed for connecting, collaborating, and staying in touch. Dames experts will facilitate takeaways, breakthroughs, and some fun activities, too. You truly have to experience it to believe it! |
Â
Meals Included: Lunch for all attendees
Saturday, October 10 ~ Times TBA
FunFerence Day Two and a Half
Â
Are you ready for a morning of FUN? Let all the brilliance soak in as you enjoy quality time to connect with your fellow Dames. Solidify the relationships you've built over the past 2 days and celebrate whatever you've chosen to welcome in!
What to Expect:
* Team- & Leadership-Building Activities
* A very special Closing Ceremony
Meet Our Fabulous Speakers
Thursday, October 8:
Megan Schwan
CEO & Founder of Sidekick Accounting
Megan is the Accountant, Tax Strategist and Certified Profit First Professional that helps service-based business owners reduce tax liability, gain financial clarity, and build consistent profit through proactive strategy and structured systems.
As both an Accountant & Tax Strategist, she goes beyond traditional bookkeeping and tax filing by focusing on forward-thinking financial planning and profit optimization.
Gwen Bortner
Owner of Everyday Effectiveness
Not just a Business Advisor or Operational Strategist. Gwen leverages insights from four decades of experience across 47 industries with a holistic approach, to develop custom strategies for your unique business. Helping women build sustainable, fulfilling businesses that align with their values and desired lifestyle.
Deb Boulanger
CEO of Life After Corporate and Founder of The Launch Lab for Women Entrepreneurs
Deb works with high-achieving women who are ready to step beyond corporate leadership and into a more aligned, self-directed next chapter.
Her clients aren’t starting over — they are evolving. They’ve built successful careers, led teams, and delivered results, but know they are meant for something more expansive, more intentional, and more fully their own.
Ashley Connell
Founder of the Prowess ProjectÂ
The Prowess Project helps accounting & advisory firms move from homegrown ops to real operational ownership. Meaning, there is someone responsible for how work moves through the firm, end to end, without everything routing back to the owner.
Mara Whitener
Founder of Whitener Professional Services
Mara is the Fractional COO and Strategic Partner for scaling a business past the $600K–$1M mark. After building, growing, and selling multiple 6 and 7-figure businesses over the last 20 years, she is uniquely equipped to uncover the precise modifications that will create time and mental space for you to take on more clients, save money, and fill team gaps so launches run like butter, revenue increases, and you can focus on what you love most.Â
Kendall Hagensen
Founder of Wellness Center Creators
Kendall is redefining workplace wellness by integrating business strategy with whole-person care. As a corporate wellness consultant, business coach, and somatic mental health therapist, she helps healthcare professionals and organizations create environments where both people and businesses thrive.
Friday, October 9:
Laurie Handlers
Owner of Butterfly Workshops
Laurie values diversity, speaking your truth, and setting boundaries. She brings her authenticity and love to people all over the world via traveling as a Lead Facilitator for the International School of Temple Arts (ISTA) and her podcast Sex and Happiness which has been broadcasting for 15 years.
Jenny Glick
Founder of Relationship Mentor, LLC
She’s been a seeker, with three decades of spiritual and personal development under my belt – religious studies, art therapy, drum journeys, Human Design, Gene Keys, Christian mysticism, tarot, yoga, paganism, 32 flavors of therapy and coaching. (Somehow that’s not even half of it!)
Elaine Williams
Founder of Captivate the Crowd
Elaine has shown hundreds of professionals how to become confident speakers and how to make engaging, captivating videos so that they were able to increase sales, make more money in less time, and have the kind of impact they knew they were meant to make in the world.
Michelle Wilson
Owner of The Breakthrough Mentor
Michelle is a licensed counselor, mindset coach and mind, body, energy healer and passionate about sharing what I have learned from my own challenges and working with thousands of clients over 25 years. Her clients release their limiting beliefs and unconscious patterns quickly, easily and permanently with cutting-edge scientific techniques and spiritual practice. Michelle has dedicated years working with business & spiritual mentors, mind/body/energy healers, even getting advanced training through Harvard Medical School.
Shainia Jones Magrone
Owner of Shainia Jones Coaching
Shainia built a successful career as an attorney, including becoming a law firm partner and owning her own practice. From the outside, everything worked. But eventually, it became impossible to ignore that something was off. Shainia’s background as an attorney advising leaders in high-stakes environments informs her work, bringing clarity, structure, and discernment to identity transitions. Burnout isn’t a productivity problem. It’s what happens when who you’ve become no longer matches the life you’re living.
Jess Sato
Founder & CEO of Jessica Sato Consulting
She blends Fortune 500-level strategy with impact-driven leadership. Her background in strategic planning, executive coaching, and leadership development at Boeing brings structure and rigor to the work, while her deep belief in the power of women’s voices brings purpose and humanity to every engagement. Over the past 10+ years, she’s helped hundreds of women, many leading multi–six and seven-figure businesses, rediscover their purpose, rebuild their business architecture, and grow sustainably.
What participants said (anonymously!) about last year’s FunFerence…
- "One of the best events I've ever attended. The support, encouragement, vulnerability plus real tactics I can implement now were spot on."
- "I had an absolutely amazing time and transformational experience! I will be highly recommending the Dames and the FunFerence to every female business owner I know. Just loved it and am grateful to everyone involved in the planning and execution of the event."
- "Really phenomenal experience. I loved meeting every woman in person and connecting in authentic ways."
- "The sessions were amazing. The facilitators were top notch!"
- "I learned so many valuable things I can immediately apply to my business that'll help take it to the next level! Yay!"
- "Loved how everyone focused on delivering action-oriented insights."
- "I truly loved the entire experience. I only wish we could have had more, I was learning so much and having such a great time, it was over too quickly. :)"
- "Everything was well run with adequate breaks. Food was great. The meeting space and hotel were awesome. Really nice mix of fun and great information."
- "Keep up the reverse mullet. This was a fabulous blend of fun and learning."
Â
We also heard you when you told us you want more 1:1 and small group time, group dinners, and longer breaks.
All of these great ideas have been built into this year's programming!
Grab your FunFerence ticket now!
Tickets include:
✅ The Exclusive Welcome Happy Hour
âś…Â Two and a Half Days of Magnificent, Brilliant (But Not Overwhelming) Programming
âś…Â The Better Together Dinner, snacks, coffee, tea, and lunch on days 1 and 2.
Â
Please note, space is limited so act quickly to reserve your spot. Travel and hotel fares are NOT included.
The hotel block information will be released as soon as available to those who pre-order their tickets.
Take advantage of Early-ish Bird throughÂ
June 30th only!
Other Purchase Options
$/$/$
Early-ish Bird Payment Plan
$/$/$
Perfectly On-Time Payment Plan
Got a Conflict? Can't Stay?
Come for the DAY!
Join us to make memories like these:
FAQ
Do I have to be a Member to attend?
Are you offering sponsorship opportunities for the FunFerence?
What if I need to cancel my ticket? What is the refund policy?
I'm interested, but where can I ask some additional questions?
What if I can't attend the full FunFerence event?
When will the full schedule be announced? What about the facilitators?
How are speakers and facilitators selected?
We’re thrilled to be hosting the event at Denver's beloved Limelight Hotel.
In their own words:
"Limelight Denver is a hub for exploration and connection in the Mile High City, where expansive spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and unmatched views await. Steps away from the iconic Union Station, and recently ranked #1 Hotel in Denver by Travel + Leisure, Limelight is a quick stroll to Ball Arena and Coors Field—this is the beating heart of downtown Denver’s urban adventure. Immerse yourself in the city’s culture at the Colorado Symphony, Museum of Contemporary Art, or Red Rocks Amphitheater—all in easy reach."Â
CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION EMAIL FOR THE LINK TO REGISTER FOR YOUR HOTEL ROOM IN OUR ROOM BLOCK! Email [email protected] with any questions.
Â
For easy access to the event, we recommend flying into Denver International Airport (DIA).
Are We Singing Your Song?
 If professional AND personal growth, win-win collaboration, and raucous celebration are your jam, we’ll see you on October 7-10, 2026, in Denver!Â
Register Now & Share In The FUN!