Brighton Women’s Day event to explore leadership and care

March 8th is approaching, and if you're looking for an International Women's Day event in Brighton, there's one happening at The Grand Brighton Hotel that seems to be taking a thoughtful, community-focused approach. Officially titled 'Brighton Women’s Day event to explore leadership and care,' this celebration is curated by Elif Köse, the founder of Confidence Magazine.

Köse, who brings over 20 years of experience in business and leadership coaching, is aiming for something more grassroots than the usual performance-centric empowerment conferences. The core philosophy driving the day is the belief that confidence doesn't grow in isolation; it thrives when people feel safe, seen, and supported. This event is specifically designed to challenge the idea that women need to be 'fixed,' instead promoting environments built on inclusion, compassion, and collaboration. The central theme revolves around Confidence as a vital force for healing, leadership, and social change, moving toward a sense of collective belonging.

For those interested in the practical details, the event runs from 11:00 to 16:30 GMT on Sunday, March 8, 2026, with doors opening around 10:30. They are expecting over 200 attendees, primarily women leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives from the local area. The structure is intentionally designed to avoid information overload, featuring keynote talks, discussion panels, and dedicated reflection sessions to ensure genuine integration of the ideas presented. The day includes welcome drinks, a sandwich bar, live music, and a DJ, alongside the main program. Discussions will cover a wide range of topics, including business, leadership, wellness, creativity, and social impact. The confirmed speakers for this year include Victoria Salomon, Taylor Smith, Debbie Stevens, Fiona O’Sullivan, Hayley Keeber, and Laura Beddoe- Collins.

This is a ticketed event, and prices currently range between £75.47 and £189. If this focus on community connection and challenging traditional leadership models sounds like something you’d appreciate, you can find more details and book your spot through iwd.elifkose.com. It looks like a solid alternative to the standard IWD conference format, prioritizing connection and lived experience right here in Brighton.