July 2026 | HER Collective Note
- Jul 3
- 6 min read
Because every milestone, big or small, is worth celebrating, and every journey is stronger with a community beside you.
Summer has a way of inviting us to slow down, reconnect, and celebrate the moments that often pass by too quickly. As we begin July with celebrations across Canada and the United States, we're reminded that every season of life moves at its own pace. Some of us are resting, some are growing, and others are stepping boldly into something new. Wherever this month finds you, we hope you'll continue moving forward and celebrating the journey with people who encourage you every step of the way.
Have You Joined the
HER Seat at the Table WhatsApp Community?
The conversation doesn't end when our events do.
Our HER Seat at the Table WhatsApp Community is where members stay connected, celebrate one another, and keep the momentum going between our monthly gatherings.
Inside the group you'll find:
🎉 Celebrations of both big and small wins
💬 Ongoing community conversations and support
☕ Invitations to impromptu coffee chats and micro gatherings
💼 Hiring, volunteer, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities
🙋 A safe place to ask questions, seek recommendations, or request support for upcoming projects
❤️ Special invitations and updates from the HER community
To help keep this space meaningful for everyone, we ask that the group not be used for sales pitches or self-promotion. Instead, we encourage authentic conversations, generosity, and supporting one another's personal and professional journeys.
If you're ever unsure whether something is appropriate to share, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at HER@cayvii.com. We're always happy to help.
Join the conversation today and stay connected with the HER community between events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
HER SUMMER SPA DAY at GO PLACE
July 17, 2026 | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
GO Place Spa | 3275 Hwy 7 Unit 2, Markham, ON L3R 3P9
Followed by dinner in the First Markham Place area at 6:30 PM
Sometimes the best conversations happen when we're relaxed.
Join us for one of our favourite HER traditions: a day to slow down, recharge, and enjoy quality time together outside of our virtual meetings.
Come for the full day or join us whenever your schedule allows. We'll spend the day enjoying the spa, catching up over lunch, and wrapping up with dinner together nearby.
This is a self-pay social gathering, and everyone is welcome.
If this is your first time, review the FAQs:
Please Email Connie@cayvii.com to RSVP.
AHA SERIES | The Career Reinvention Conversation Featuring Same Trieu
July 21, 2026. 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
What happens when your career no longer aligns with the life you want to build?
Join entrepreneur and event industry leader Sam Trieu, Principal of 88 Event Solutions, as she shares her personal journey of reinvention, resilience, and creating a business rooted in purpose.
Whether you're considering a career change, launching something new, or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation will leave you with practical insights and meaningful "AHA" moments.
Perfect for anyone who is:
Exploring what's next in their career
Building a business
Navigating change with confidence
Looking for fresh perspective and inspiration
POP-IN Session | July 22, 2026. 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
No agenda. No pressure. Just meaningful conversation.
Our monthly POP-IN Sessions are a chance to pause, reconnect, and spend time with an incredible community of women who understand the value of honest conversations.
Whether you're celebrating a recent win, navigating a challenge, or simply looking to connect, we invite you to come exactly as you are.
What to expect:
Community conversations
Personal and professional updates
Celebrating wins
Peer support and encouragement
New connections
SPOTLIGHT: MPI GLOBAL WOMEN 'S COMMUNITY SUMMER SOCIAL
July 24, 2026. 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST
Are You an MPI Member?
Did you know that Meeting Professionals International (MPI) offers a variety of global communities designed to help members connect around shared interests, experiences, and professional goals?
One of those communities is the MPI Women's Community, proudly led by Connie Cay-Santos, alongside an incredible team of volunteer leaders from around the world.
Whether you're looking to expand your network, engage in meaningful conversations, exchange ideas, or simply connect with industry peers who understand your journey, MPI Communities provide a welcoming space to continue your personal and professional growth.
You're invited!
☀️ MPI Women's Community Virtual Summer Social
Thursday, July 24 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
Join us for an informal hour of conversation, networking, and connection as we celebrate the summer season together. We'll share personal and professional updates, celebrate recent wins, and enjoy smaller breakout conversations designed to help you build meaningful relationships with fellow MPI members from around the world.
The registration link will be shared early next week on the Women's Community Discussion Board.
Good to know: Access to MPI Communities and our virtual Women's Community events are included as part of your MPI membership. If you're already an MPI member, we encourage you to explore the many communities available and discover the ones that align with your interests and goals.
We'd love to welcome you to the Women's Community this month!
More Ways to Connect This Summer
One of the things we love most about HER Seat at the Table is that our community continues to shape where we go next.
This summer, we're embracing a more flexible approach to connection by curating micro gatherings that make it easier for members to connect, learn, recharge, and simply enjoy time together.
Some ideas already in the works include:
💦 An Aqua Fit Session led by our very own Stephanie Hiltz
☕ Casual coffee meetups
🥾 Nature walks and outdoor gatherings
🍽️ Community lunches and dinners
💜 Wellness-focused experiences created by and for our members
Rather than planning large events months in advance, we'll be sharing many of these opportunities organically throughout the summer based on member interest, availability, and great ideas that come from within our community.
The best way to stay informed is by joining our HER Seat at the Table WhatsApp Community. That's where you'll hear about upcoming gatherings first, connect with other members, and even suggest experiences you'd like to help organize or attend.
After all, the best communities aren't built for people. They're built with people.
We can't wait to see what we create together this summer.
HER Note
As I sat down to write this month's note, one word kept coming to mind.
Thank you.
This time last year, we introduced our HER Seat at the Table membership model. It was a leap of faith rooted in a simple belief: that meaningful communities don't just happen. They are nurtured by people who choose to invest in one another.
Over the past year, I've been continually inspired by the generosity of our members, community partners, speakers, volunteers, and our Pay It Forward supporters. Every membership, every registration, every conversation, every introduction, and every act of encouragement has helped create a community where people feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to grow.
As we begin another membership renewal season, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has chosen to continue investing in HER Seat at the Table. Your membership isn't simply supporting events and programming. You're investing in a community that believes in connection over competition, learning through shared experiences, and creating spaces where everyone has a seat at the table.
I also recognize that every season of life is different.
Some of us are in a season of growth. Others are navigating uncertainty, change, or simply trying to find a little more balance. Wherever you find yourself today, please know there is no expectation to keep pace with anyone else. One of the things I value most about this community is that each of us can choose how we participate, how we contribute, and when we ask for support.
Whether you join us as a member, attend a single event, participate in our conversations, or quietly cheer others on, you are part of what makes this community special.
If you're curious about becoming an invested member, renewing your membership, or simply want to explore how HER Seat at the Table can support your personal or professional journey, I'd love to connect with you.
Thank you for believing in this community and in one another.
Wishing you a wonderful July filled with meaningful moments, joyful celebrations, and opportunities to connect. Whether you're celebrating Canada Day, Independence Day, enjoying the excitement of the FIFA World Cup, or simply celebrating a personal milestone, I hope you'll continue to move at your own pace, celebrate the journey, and know that we're cheering you on every step of the way.
With gratitude,
Connie Cay-Santos
CEO & Founder
CAY VII INC | HER Seat at the Table
If this newsletter resonated with you, we invite you to share it with someone who would benefit from joining the conversation.
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