The Women in CX UnConference on 17th-18th October 2024 at Ericsson HQ in Dallas is not your typical conference.
Designed to foster real connections, meaningful discussions, and actionable insights, the UnConference breaks away from traditional formats.
Attendees get the chance to set their own agendas, contributing to and shaping the sessions they attend.
It’s all about creating space for deep, authentic engagement with the topics that matter most in customer experience and related disciplines without the constraints of a traditional conference.
The event, with an overall theme of “Connecting Impact”, will focus on key industry topics and challenges. But there’s much more that makes the event so special. For instance, attendees may also enjoy:
- Open-space sessions: Unlike typical conferences, participants can choose the sessions they want to attend, even during the event. Conversations evolve based on real-time needs, offering a collaborative experience where everyone contributes.
- Freedom to explore: With the ‘law of two feet,’ attendees can leave any session where they’re not learning or contributing, ensuring they spend their time where it matters most to them.
- Inclusive and supportive: Women get to show up as their authentic selves without the masks they might wear in the workplace. The event is designed for personal connection and professional growth in a space free of judgment or a rigid structure.
Eager to learn more about the event, CX Today caught up with Clare Muscutt, Founder and CEO of Women in CX, to learn more. Here’s what she had to say.
This is your first time hosting an event of any kind in America. What brings you across the pond?
We’re bringing Women in CX in-person events to America because our members in the US have been calling for it to happen.
Since we launched on International Women’s Day in 2021, we’ve always prided ourselves on listening closely to our community, and now, being in a position to expand, it is a joy to be able to respond to this request.
Our events are about providing the space for women to connect, collaborate, and co-create solutions to some of the biggest challenges in the CX industry.
Our community thrives on connection, and after seeing the incredible impact of our events in the UK and Europe, it felt like the perfect time to bring women together to experience the magic of WiCX state-side.
What sets the Women in CX UnConference apart from traditional conferences, and why did you choose this format?
Unlike traditional conferences, our format is a participant-oriented meeting where the attendees decide on the agenda, inform discussion topics, and get to shape their own experience by selecting conversations they feel called to take part in.
As opposed to theatre, UnConferencing is all about participation, empowerment, and community. We follow the principles of Open Space, which includes ‘The Law of Two Feet’, meaning if someone isn’t learning or contributing, they can move to another session or even start their own conversation—making sure everyone’s time is spent in the way that benefits them the most.
We also embrace the idea of encouraging attendees to move between groups, cross-pollinating ideas, and sparking new connections.
It’s different from sitting down and listening all day, and the experience of attendees contributing means we all experience growth as a result.
Can you describe the balance between structured and flexible learning at the event and how attendees can tailor the experience to their own needs?
The balance lies in the freedom we offer within the structure of Open Space.
While we have key topics and challenges that serve as a foundation for discussion, how attendees engage with these is entirely up to them. They can choose from facilitated conversations, expert drop-in clinics, or start spontaneous discussions themselves.
The flexibility empowers everyone to tailor their experience based on their own interests and needs.
The principles of Open Space ensure that people have control over their experience over the two days. You can move freely between sessions, take time out if you need a break, or even bring up a topic that wasn’t on the original agenda. It’s a learning experience built by the attendees, for the attendees.
In terms of structured learning, we have 20-minute TED-style inspiration sessions led by experts, offering fresh perspectives on specific challenges. These talks often spark new ideas and may lead you to join Open Space discussions on topics you hadn’t previously considered.
For instance, you might attend a talk that captures your attention unexpectedly, prompting you to explore that conversation over one you had planned. That’s the beauty of this format—you can follow your curiosity wherever it leads you.
What unique opportunities for collaboration and networking will attendees have that they might not find at traditional conferences?
The UnConference is designed to create a space where real, authentic connections can happen. Traditional networking is often forced and transactional.
At the UnConference, collaboration comes naturally from shared conversations and problem-solving. Plus, by taking part in some surprise experiences we are keeping up our sleeves.
With the principles of Open Space, there’s no pressure to stay in any one place—so attendees are free to follow their curiosity, engage deeply, and connect with those who share similar passions and challenges.
One thing we consistently hear from our events is how open and willing participants are to share their experiences with others they’ve never met.
We create non-judgmental, inclusive spaces where women can show up as their authentic selves, and this environment helps to spark deeper, more meaningful connections.
One of the truly unique aspects of this UnConference is the playbook we’re creating. Not only will we make a collective playbook from the discussions and insights gathered from the event, but attendees will also have the opportunity to build their own personal playbooks.
These give everyone tangible takeaways, full of the insights and solutions they have co-created, and can be used long after the event.
Also, since we’re a community, the connections don’t stop when the UnConference ends–we offer mentoring, collaboration, learning and networking opportunities 365 days a year.
What would you say to someone considering attending the UnConference but unsure of the format or whether it’s the right fit for them?
I’d say, if you’re looking for a space where you can show up as your authentic self, connect with like-minded women, and have meaningful conversations that lead to real action, then the UnConference is absolutely for you.
The beauty of this format is that it’s adaptable to everyone. Whether you like deep-dive discussions, casual networking, or hands-on problem-solving, the UnConference offers a space for all that and more. You’ll walk away not only with new insights but with a strong sense of community and the feeling that you’ve truly co-created something powerful.
To register for the Women in CX UnConference, visit: https://womenincx.community/unconference-2024
