One of the highlights of my crazy week was the opportunity to participate in the first-ever Re-Branding You conference on Tuesday. The goal of the event was to provide tools and inspiration to help those who have been downsized learn how to re-brand and position themselves in today’s challenging job market. Dozens of scholarships were offered to allow those between gigs to attend for free.

We had an impressive line-up of speakers and coaches that led workshops on everything from resumes to entrepreneurship to health insurance. Futurist and brilliant speaker Watts Wacker started the day by inspiring attendees to re-think, re-boot, and re-claim their futures.

Throughout the day, free speed coaching sessions were offered in the Coaching Cafe. Attendees also got to pick up information and tips from sponsors including New York University, the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, and Womensphere. .

For the day’s closing session, I moderated a panel featuring event organizers Ny Whitaker and Pat Aheasy and New York Enterprise Report founder and publisher Robert Levin. The New York Enterprise Report is THE publication to read for small-business owners in the New York tri-state area. Robert shared some great advice for aspiring entrepreneurs — including lessons from his own entrepreneurial success story and tips from some of the legendary entrepreneurs that he has interviewed for his publication over the years. Ny and Pat shared their own career change and re-branding stories, demonstrating that any transition is possible if you’re committed (like making the leap from forensic psychologist to event planning diva).

Over the course of the day, I got to speak with many of the event attendees and other speakers and met some amazing people. As I mingled during the post-conference networking mixer (free wine and food for job searchers!), people told me that they felt re-energized and empowered. Learning more about personal branding strategies showed them that they have more power than they thought over their career transitions.

All in all, it was a great day. I am looking forward to the next Re-Branding You event (already in the works…more details to come soon).