I have just returned from the TIAW 25th anniversary international trip to Europe. It was truly an exciting and exhilarating trip and we had a wonderful time meeting with members and prospective members in Paris, Brussels, Bulgaria, Sofia, and Athens, along with seeing many wonderful sights.
In Paris we were hosted by the European Women’s Professional Network (EWPN) and their president Margaret Milan, and past president Avivah Wittenberg-Cox. We had a lovely luncheon at the Cercle Suedois with an outstanding speaker, Bonnie Reitze, who spoke about her career with Continental Airlines and the leadership qualities that made it a great company. She is now involved in the formation of a new airline based on many of the principles that have guided her in her career.
We also had an opportunity to meet privately with Margaret and spoke of the many ways our two associations can partner further in the future. And between all the meetings, we made time to see Paris in the spring! Thanks to Margaret Milan for all the arrangements in Paris.
In Brussels, we had lunch with the European Women’s Management Development International Network (EWMD). Hosted by their Co-International President, Martine De Witte, at the lovely business club De Warande, we had an opportunity to meet some of their local Brussels members. We were delighted that co-president Gabriele A. Hantschel (Gabi) drove from Düsseldorf to join us. We again met privately with both co-presidents and discussed the many ways to partner together on Women on Boards Initiative, as well as their interest in becoming involved in the Microenterprise Program. Thanks to Martine De-Witte for the arrangements in Brussels.
The highlight of the trip was, of course, the conference in Sofia, Bulgaria. We were hosted by Nina Noeva and the International Association of Professional Business Women of Bulgaria (IAPBWB). Thanks to Nina and the IAPBWB for a wonderful trip. The conference covered topics ranging from International Networking, to Bulgarian business and issues associated with Bulgaria joining the European Union, to a guest speaker from the World Bank on Gender-Entrepreneurship-Markets (GEM). We heard from Bulgarian Government ministers and leaders in Bulgarian Business, as well as our own members Diane Morris, Lea Chambers, and Stephanie MacKendrick.
After the wonderful conference we traveled throughout Bulgaria, stopping to visit the ancient town of Plovdiv, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We had lunch with Deputy Mayor Anton Yanev, along with other local officials and businesswomen, in a wonderful outdoor setting. From Plovdiv we went on to Starosel where we were greeted by the towns Mayor and treated to afternoon tea along with a wonderful Bulgarian dance recital. The town was preparing for the celebration of the annual Rose Festival and the crowning of their queen. We then toured a local museum with Tracian artifacts, and went on to visit a recently discovered ancient tomb of a famous Tracian King. There are apparently thousands of these tombs in Bulgaria. We were delighted and privileged to have the opportunity to meet Princess Maria Louisa of the Bulgarian Royal Family, expelled from Bulgaria at the end of WWII, outside the tomb! Accompanying Princess Maria Louisa were her two adult children on a visit to their homeland. Both children were born and educated in Canada but now live in the US. Princess Maria Louisa is the sister of the present day Prime Minister of Bulgaria, H.E. Simeon Saxe Coburg-Gotha.
Our final stop of the day was at Sunny Beach, a resort by the Black Sea. We relaxed overnight at this lovely setting. The next day we were treated to a walking tour of the picturesque ancient city of Nessebar on a peninsula in the Black Sea, another UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the 1st Century BC. We had a most enjoyable lunch on a patio overlooking the sea and then traveled back to Sofia. Everyone in attendance on the trip said it was wonderful and wished that we had more time to see this beautiful country. Thanks again to Nina Noeva for all the arrangements.
A smaller group went on to Athens to meet with Women from the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce. We also toured the historic sights in Athens, and the outskirts of Athens.
Throughout all these travels, the best part was meeting our members from around the world. Traveling with us were members from the UK, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the Ukraine, Moldavia, Canada and of course the USA.
