SCRLA hosts inaugural ‘HerStory’ Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference at Wild Dunes Resort

The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) concluded its inaugural HerStory: Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference following a successful two-day gathering on November 1-2 at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, SC.

Bringing together a powerful network of hospitality executives, managers, up-and-coming leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry trailblazers from across the state, the inaugural conference focused on three core pillars: Her Story, Her Seat, and Her Impact. The event was designed to cultivate collaboration, shatter industry glass ceilings, and provide actionable strategies for women ascending to leadership roles in our state’s hospitality industry.

The conference drew glowing praise from both speakers and attendees for its educational impact and inspirational spirit.

“It was inspiring, educational, and fun – the perfect combination of a successful conference,” said Mary Simmons of Asure Software Inc., who served as a speaker at the event. “From the friendly welcome on the first night to cocktails on Tuesday, everything was wonderful. I know the hard work that was put into this, and it really paid off. I hope this becomes an annual event and look forward to being part of it.”

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“Meeting leaders from across South Carolina reminded me how powerful it is when women in hospitality support each other,” added Anastasia Zimmerman, Assistant Front Office Manager at Grand Palms Resort. “I left with new connections, new ideas, and a full heart. A special thank you to Terri A. Haack, Managing Director of Wild Dunes Resort, for sharing her story of becoming a leader – I took so much from it to keep in my own leadership toolkit – and to the SCRLA for bringing us all together.”

Attendees experienced a robust agenda featuring high-impact keynotes, interactive breakouts, exclusive networking moments, and hands-on workshops. Throughout the conference, participants engaged in candid panel discussions and professional development sessions addressing leadership progression, operational excellence, and mentorship.

“HerStory was built with incredible intention, and seeing our vision come to life at Wild Dunes was unforgettable,” said Lenza Jolley, Vice President of Membership & Development at SCRLA. “Every session, speaker, and connection was curated to uplift women in hospitality, and the overwhelming response proves just how powerful this community is when we come together.”

The success of the inaugural HerStory conference was made possible through the generous support of our corporate partners and sponsors, including Sysco, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Lowcountry Hospitality Association, Explore Charleston, Performance Foodservice Group, Capital Waste Services, Asure Software, Inc., Chernoff Newman, Discover South Carolina, Moore Accounting Group, Ecolab, ServPro Team Zubricki, and T&S Brass.

About the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA)

For more than 80 years, the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) has served as the unified voice of the state’s $32+ billion foodservice and lodging industries. As a statewide nonprofit trade association, SCRLA represents thousands of hotel, motel, restaurant, and supplier members. The organization is dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing the growth and success of South Carolina’s hospitality industry through government advocacy, educational programming, workforce development, and operational benefits. For more information, visit scrla.org.