Access Bank Plc’s W Initiative, dedicated to empowering women in business, has unveiled eye-opening insights into the multi-billion-dollar event planning sector predominantly driven by female entrepreneurs. According to the banking giant, the event planning industry commands a staggering $2 billion in revenue annually, underscoring the significant economic impact of women-owned businesses in this vibrant space.
In a bid to support and uplift these trailblazing women, Access Bank’s Women Banking Department recently hosted the “Stepping into the Spotlight: Empowering Women in the Event Sector” workshop. The event brought together a diverse array of industry professionals, including event owners, rental services, caterers, decorators, lighting and effects specialists, event planners, DJs, emcees, and traditional Alagas.
Abiodun Olubitan, Group Head of Women Banking at Access Bank, emphasised the workshop’s mission to amplify the voices and contributions of women in the event sector. “We recognise that this industry controls over $2 billion annually, and we believe it deserves our undivided attention,” she stated. “Our goal is to listen to the unique challenges and needs of these women and explore how the bank can provide tailored support to accelerate the growth of their businesses.”
The workshop featured a keynote session by Bolanle Olosunde-Jenrola, a renowned expert in leveraging social media for business growth and brand visibility. Olosunde-Jenrola shared invaluable strategies for entrepreneurs, including investing in paid advertising, creating high-quality content, understanding target audiences, and selecting the most effective social media platforms.
“Not every platform fits every audience,” Olosunde-Jenrola advised. “Be very engaging and interact more with your customers or potential customers. Don’t be a copycat; be authentic.”
Gbemisola Ajibulu, Team Lead of Women Banking at Access Bank, reiterated the bank’s commitment to assisting women in the event industry to scale their businesses. “We understand that women play a crucial role in the economy, and the event industry is a significant and predominantly female-led sector. It made sense to focus on this sector, listen to what the women in the industry need from a bank, and explore how we can better serve them and their businesses.”
With this initiative, Access Bank continues to solidify its position as a champion of women’s economic empowerment, fostering an inclusive and supportive ecosystem for female entrepreneurs to thrive.