Lorraine Williamson
An international conference for women in business will return to the Costa del Sol next month, with the Make it Happen by Being You Conference taking place in Mijas on 6 March 2026.
Now in its 13th year, the event will be held at CIO Mijas. It is expected to attract entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners from across Spain and beyond. The focus is on practical learning, clear strategy, and meaningful professional connections.
A long-running event for women building businesses
Founded by Ali Meehan, creator of Costa Women, the conference has become a regular fixture in the calendar for women developing and growing businesses. Each year, the event brings together speakers and attendees from different sectors and countries, all sharing practical ideas and real-world experience.
The 2026 programme will feature international speakers covering marketing, leadership, visibility, confidence, and wellbeing. Sessions are designed to deliver useful takeaways that attendees can apply immediately in their own work.
The aim is simple: a day that combines inspiration with tools and honest conversation about running a business.
Sunny Business in Spain: Ali Meehan´s Costa Women
Speakers announced for 2026
This year’s speaker line-up includes:
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Tracey Baxter – Your Freebie Said Hello – Now Let the Welcome Sequence Start the Real Conversation
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Sarah Houldcroft – Why Stories Matter and How to Find Your Own
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Susana Serrano-Davey – The Confidence Trap
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Sonia Ingriselli – Google Isn’t the Only Game in Town Anymore – Welcome to the Evolution of Search
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Mari-Liis Vaher – Two Micro-Challenges for Focus and Clarity (from The Greatest Marketer)
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Karen Muldoon – What I Didn’t Say: The Real Reason Women Go Quiet at the Top
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Petra Boddington – Everything You Need to Know About Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
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Nicoline Huizinga – Success Isn’t About Doing More, It’s About Being More You
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Sandra Laurie – Speak, Don’t Sell: How Podcasting Turns Strangers Into Loyal Customers
Organisers say the programme has been shaped to offer both business strategy and personal development, reflecting the varied challenges many women face when running a business.
Pre-conference networking evening
An informal networking icebreaker takes place on the evening of 5 March, ahead of the main conference day. This relaxed gathering offers a chance to meet other attendees, make new business connections, and meet the speakers before the event begins.
It is especially helpful for first-time attendees or those coming on their own. Arriving on conference day, already knowing people in the room can make the experience more comfortable and productive.
Full details and ticket prices for both the conference and the pre-event gathering are available through the same booking link.
Who the event is for
The conference is open to all women in business. This includes established entrepreneurs, freelancers, remote workers, and those preparing to launch a venture. Attendance is not limited to Costa Women members. Anyone looking for practical guidance, new contacts, or fresh ideas is welcome to join.
Organisers say the event suits women who value collaboration and want clear, usable insight rather than theory. It also offers space to step back from daily pressures and focus on long-term direction.
@CostaWomen
Event details
The full-day conference takes place on Friday, 6 March 2026, at CIO Mijas.
The pre-event networking icebreaker takes place at 6.00 pm on Thursday, 5 March at the Food Room, Guadalmina Baja
Both events are open to both Costa Women members and non-members.