Beyond our projects: The value of attending the WiPM conference

As project professionals in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, we work alongside colleagues from across the globe, delivering some of the world's most ambitious programmes. Our focus is often on meeting milestones, managing risks and driving successful outcomes in fast paced environments. I get why "fly to London for a conference" sounds like the least efficient use of your week. However, that change in environment can be surprisingly valuable and is often exactly what we need to perform at our best moving forward.

The annual Women in Project Management (WiPM) Conference offers an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, connect with the wider project management community, gain fresh perspectives and return re-energised with practical ideas that can be applied to our projects, teams and careers.

From London back to Riyadh: Lessons that stayed with me

One of the key insights I brought back from the WiPM Conference last year came from keynote speaker Karen Blackett. Karen spoke about the realities of working in a rapidly changing environment, where increasing complexity, evolving technologies and shifting expectations require us to continually adapt, learn and grow. It was a reminder I never realised I needed, yet one that resonated strongly given the pace of transformation and opportunity we are experiencing across Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Karen also reflected on the importance of building a strong personal brand and embracing a growth mindset.

Returning to Riyadh, I found myself reflecting on what Karen mentioned, not only in relation to my own career, but also to the teams and projects I support. In a profession where we are constantly responding to new challenges, technologies and stakeholder expectations, it is easy to become focused on delivery and overlook our own professional development. The conference reminded me that growth does not stop once we achieve a qualification or reach a particular career stage. Sometimes, a change in perspective is enough to challenge our thinking, renew our confidence and inspire action.

Learning from diverse leadership experiences

The project profession is strengthened by diverse perspectives, and one of the greatest strengths of the WiPM Conference is the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, interactive workshops and table topic conversations, attendees are exposed to a wide range of leadership journeys, challenges and insights.

At last year's conference, I had the privilege of facilitating a table topic titled "Owning Your Voice: Leading with Confidence." The discussion brought together professionals at different stages of their careers, from those just entering the profession to experienced leaders. Listening to individuals openly share their experiences and perspectives highlighted the power of creating spaces where people can learn from one another. These conversations often provide some of the most meaningful insights, leaving attendees with practical ideas and renewed confidence that they can take back into their teams, organisations and careers.

Connection to action: Why this year's theme matters

This year's theme, Connection to Action, perfectly captures the value of attending the WiPM Conference. While professional connections are important, their real impact comes from what happens afterwards. A conversation with another attendee may spark a new idea. A keynote speaker may challenge an existing mindset. A shared experience may provide the confidence to approach a problem differently. The connections we make, the lessons we learn and the perspectives we gain only create value when we take them back into our organisations, teams and projects.

This year, that principle runs through three dedicated content streams:

Delivery Excellence: Practical execution, tools and outcomes; turning insight into results.
Career Architecture: Career growth, future skills and progression; building the confidence and capability to navigate what's next.
Intentional Influence: Presence, relationships and visibility; building trust and impact through mentoring, inclusive practice and strong professional networks.

Each stream answers a different part of the same question: how you deliver, where you're heading and how you show up along the way. That's Connection to Action in practice.

Taken together, the three streams map onto the theme itself: one addresses how you deliver; one addresses where you're heading and the capability, you'll need to get there, and one addresses how you show up and who you build with along the way.

For anyone in Saudi Arabia or the UAE considering attending this year's conference, I would encourage you to embrace the opportunity.

If you're attending, connect on LinkedIn: Veronica Sikombe and connect in person.