Kristin Devitt's speech

Good afternoon Babes - great to see you all today. We are going to have some fun.

We are going to RAISE HELL.

I know that those of you who have always been part of the wonderful madness that is Babes in Business over the past 9 years will back me up when I say to those of you joining us for the first time today that it's time to:

Fasten your seatbelts.

Cross check and arm the doors. It's going to be a LONG afternoon.

And it is incredible to think as Emily said that it is nine years since that first Babes lunch - I think there were 80 of us that day at Vino's - and to see how much Babes in Business has grown and evolved over those years.

And in particular over the past two years since we incorporated the business as a membership based organisation. We now have 500 members, a network of 1500 and growing.

This year we held 15 events - from the wonderful Fosters Miss-Behaving Series at some of the city's most gorgeous venues, to boardroom briefings courtesy of Ord Minnett and William Buck, to literary events and exclusive film previews at Dendy Portside thanks to Hopscotch Films, Sony Pictures, Universal and Paramount.

Our focus has most definitely been on the Babes of this fine city - but we haven't gone unnoticed. The pressure is on and as early as next year we will be holding events in Sydney, the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

Babes in Business is striking a chord I think because it seems to be a magnet for people like you - the best and brightest, and Birds who have a crack. Who step up, take risks and don't apologise for who they are. And who know how to have a good time. As Katherine Hepburn once famously said - "If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun".

And one of our points of difference is that we recognise how hard all of you work, and how critically important it is that all of you have time to let your hair down and have a few thousand wines - whether it's away from the office, away from the kids, or away from the husband.

So we don't subscribe to early morning events. Because we almost always ensure there is a champagne at hand.

Now that's not to confuse us with Babes 'n Bubbles.

No - that was Warren Armstrong's topless car wash venture at Albion - he owns brothels - we don't know him.

But it's also about creating opportunities for Babes across all professions and industries to meet - to grow their business relationships and in many cases strike new friendships with like-minded women.

We have members from law, finance, property, retail, fashion and media ...

Entrepeneurial women who are driving new businesses.

Women who have established themselves in business over several decades.

And Babes who are on the way up.

We absolutely reject that tired old chestnut that women are their own worst enemies in the workplace. Look I think that's edgar - this is about women supporting women and I know that it's delivered dividends for many Babes in the room today.

Babes is all about celebrating women - and in a few minutes we will announce this year's Babes in Business awards recognising just a few of the incredible people in this room today.

Kristin Devitt

And we're also not about male bashing. Blokes are great - every Babe should own one. But seriously, there was a bit of pressure from some boys to come along today - but you know, they've got their Long Bar and Hasbeens lunch - this day belongs to you.

Last year, I asked some peers in PR - Natalie, Kath, Fleur - you know who I mean - why Babes mattered.

So this year, I went to our Babes in media for their take on why Babes rule the world.

Nicole Carrington - Image Magazine Editor and City News scribe said: Babes rule the world because in any one day we can simultaneously juggle high-powered business meetings, babies on our hips, our partners' multiple demands, the best friend in crisis, the hot trainer boy - who is STILL trying to make us restrict our weekly alcohol content to three measly drinks, paying the bills, feeding the dog - all the while wearing our favourite, new pair of sky-high hot pink Nat-Sui heels."

The Courier-Mail's Federal Political reporter - Sam Strutt or Strutt Guts said: "Because men are whimps. If blokes got their periods it would be compulsory for the workforce to have one day off each month. Under the coalition, cramp leave could have been traded away for pay increases in your AWA. Kevin and Julia would, of course, include this as an award condition."

4BC's Vic Carthew: said "Babes rule the worldbecause they get things done. Anna Bligh's set a pretty good example over the past few weeks ... Polite as it may be you can't always check what the most popular thing to do is you've got to make a decision and own it - and Babes do that better than anyone!!!

And Q Weekend's style queen Elizabeth Clarke said: We rule the world because we are smart, strong, super-stylish and well informed. We can multi-task successfully whilst wearing a tight pencil skirt, 4 and half inch heels with a two year old wrapped around both legs. We work hard and enjoy it, raise children, nurture our family and friends and make the house a home, all while taking conference calls, doing homework, cooking a roast and applying lip gloss. We are the most independent generation of babes in history.

Hear hear.

It's been a BIG year. Babes has moved into our gorgeous new offices at the Kelvin Grove Urban Village.

And we've got a big year planned for 2008, to deliver the best service and value to our members and partners with new networking opportunities and online forums.

I'm pleased to announce today a new strategic partnership with the tremendous Australian Institute of Management, which will see us present dedicated business workshops for Babes next year - creating more great opportunities to network and learn.

We're not just pink and fluffy - but rest assured there will always be a focus on all things feminine and fun.

I really want to thank our sponsors today - they help make this event a reality.

In particular Triumph - who has been a great partner of Babes over the past 2 years and Fosters- an evergreen sponsor of Babes. I really urge you to seek out their products and show them the support they afford all of us.

I also thank our gold sponsors:

• Gadens Lawyers
• Terry White Chemists
• Hallis
• Georgie & Hector
• Edible Blooms
• Foster's
• Jean Brown
• Red Carpet Princess
• MummaBubba

And all of our silver sponsors and partners.

Nicolle Toohey and the team at Gianni Events here today - thanks for all of your hard work - it is the most sublime function venue in town - and in advance thank you to Nahmi and Adonis Ghanem - from Byblos - who are hosting our after party downstairs from 4:30pm.

To my partners in crime.

Marc Knapton who has stepped up as a Director of Babes this year, and has been part of Babes behind the scenes over the past 3 years building our online presence - thank you for all of those late nights - next year is going to be great.

The Babes Directors
Jane Walsh, Marc Knapton
& Kristin Devitt

And the beautiful Jane Walsh who now works in the business several days a week - and Jane - you really have done a superb job pulling together today = she is the graphic design guru ladies and now the events maestro.

Thanks to our clever columnists - whether it was Tracey Millard teaching us why heels are worth every inch of pain, to Bron McLain's take on Cinderella and her gay friends who always have a clean bathroom and a great brie at room temperature, to Jodie Bache-McLean reading us the riot act on email etiquette - to all of our writers - thank you for the best reads.

The Youngcare Charity Committee headed up by Anne Barklimore - thanks ladies for your efforts this year.

To my team at KDPR - Deb, Kate and Ben - who are all here today - and regularly take up the Babe mantle - thanks for your hard work.

And we also thank our great PR volunteers - who always help us out - at Babes and the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival ... and who stuffed bags ALL DAY yesterday ...

And finally to all of you our members and those who are waiting to join for the new year - YOU are Babes - YOU are the ones people come to meet YOU are the ones who continue to inspire.

Our new memberships for 2008 are now open - we are now offering 1 and 2 year annual rather than calendar year memberships, so we look forward to welcoming you on board.

And I'm sure I speak for all of you - Been an angel all year - Santa Baby - so hurry down that chimney tonight.

ENJOY.

Read the 2007 lunch wrap

Kristin Devitt Director Babes in Business p 0419 787 059 e kristin@babesinbusiness.com.au