Empowering Women at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026

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Let’s face it; despite women representing over half of the population, there’s still a lack of women in STEM fields. According to womenintech.net, women make up 35% of employees in STEM careers in the U.S. When it comes to leadership positions, that statistic drops significantly. So how does this play out in the real working world? Well, that is one of many topics we’ll be tackling at 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026 in Houston, February 1-4th.

If you think there are not many women in the design department, things are even more lopsided on the manufacturing side of product development. In fact, women in STEM-related manufacturing roles account for only 20% of the workforce, with only one in four of those in leadership roles. All of this to say that women remain woefully underrepresented in STEM careers.

Why is it important to have more women in STEM?

Obviously, women make everything better, but I’ll take my feminist hat off so I can answer that without bias.

Innovation thrives when diverse perspectives converge to solve complex problems. STEM sectors have historically faced challenges with gender representation, but industry events are increasingly becoming catalysts for change. 3DEXPERIENCE World stands at the forefront of this shift, offering a dedicated platform to amplify the voices and expertise of women in technology.

Our goal is to provide a safe space for women to discuss the issues, share tips and survival tactics, and hopefully have some laughs in the process. I led the Women in Tech panel last year, and I assure you that if you are a woman working in a STEM career, this session is for you. Please keep Tuesday, February 3rd, free to join us in Room 342BE at 1:30 PM CT.

This blog explores the programming, networking opportunities, and strategic initiatives specifically designed for women at 3DEXPERIENCE World. We will explore how these activities not only support individual career growth but also drive necessary structural evolution within the engineering landscape.

The Strategic Importance of Inclusion in Tech

The push for gender diversity in engineering is not merely about meeting quotas; it is a strategic imperative for innovation. Research consistently demonstrates that diverse teams produce more robust solutions and drive higher revenue. However, the gap remains significant. According to data from the Society of Women Engineers, only 13% of engineers in the workforce are women.

Events like 3DEXPERIENCE World address this disparity by creating environments where women can access mentorship, technical training, and visibility. The programming moves beyond superficial gestures, offering substantive content that addresses both technical acumen and leadership development. By integrating these tracks into the core conference agenda, 3DEXPERIENCE World underscores that women’s contributions are central to the future of design and manufacturing.

Dedicated Networking Opportunities

Building a professional network is critical for career advancement, and yet traditional networking environments can sometimes be exclusionary. 3DEXPERIENCE World offers women-specific events to foster genuine connections among professional women.

The Women in Tech Networking Breakfast

Join me for the Women in Tech Networking Breakfast on Tuesday morning, a fun, casual way to kick-start your day. Attendees connect with peers from various sectors—ranging from aerospace to medical device manufacturing—facilitating the cross-pollination of ideas. The breakfast will run from 7:00 AM to 8:45 AM CT.

The atmosphere promotes professional camaraderie. Engineers, teachers, students, manufacturers, and executives will share experiences regarding navigating corporate ladders, managing technical projects, and balancing professional/family demands. These interactions often lead to mentorship relationships that extend well beyond the conference dates.

The Dames of Design

The Maker Zone at 3DEXPERIENCE World is a space where participants can explore and engage with functional and beautiful designs. It’s a fun way to discover the possibilities offered by today’s tools and technology, as well as to understand how innovative products are created.

 At 3DEXPERIENCE World 2026, the Maker Zone will feature the Dames of Design, a special area showcasing the work of female engineers and designers and part of the Women in Technology initiatives dedicated to empowering women and promoting gender diversity in engineering and manufacturing. Don’t miss seeing the amazing innovations that women have created.

Informal Meetups and Community Hubs

The conference also facilitates smaller, topic-specific meetups. These gatherings allow for more intimate discussions on niche subjects. For women specializing in these fields, these hubs provide a space to discuss technical challenges without the pressure of a large audience. It establishes a sense of belonging, reinforcing the fact that women are present and active in every specialized corner of the industry. Check the agenda for specifics on these meetups.

 

Technical Workshops and Leadership Panels

Visibility matters. Seeing women in command of complex technical subjects challenges biases and inspires the next generation of engineers. 3DEXPERIENCE World prioritizes female speakers and session leaders across its technical tracks.

Join SOLIDWORKS Product Managers Priyanka and Lillian Wang for the tech session, Women Transforming STEM – The Sky is Not the Limit, on Tuesday from 5:00-5:45 PM CT during the Mega Meetup. Women are transforming the landscape of design, engineering, and PLM—but the journey isn’t always easy.

During this meetup, we’ll dive into the real challenges women face in STEM and tech-heavy industries, while highlighting strategies for leadership, mentorship, and upskilling. Join an inspiring conversation that encourages sharing experiences, celebrating successes, and empowering the next generation of innovators.

Expert-Led Technical Sessions

Women lead a significant portion of the training sessions at the event. These cover advanced topics within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, such as parametric modeling, fluid dynamics simulation, and data management.

When a female expert leads a deep-dive session on SOLIDWORKS surfacing techniques or cloud-based collaboration tools, it normalizes female authority in technical domains. These workshops are rigorous and designed to upskill attendees, providing them with actionable knowledge they can apply immediately in their workplaces.

Be sure to attend “How Do We Advance Girls into STEM Fields?” on Tuesday, from 2:30-3:15 PM. Join this session to discuss how we can better engage girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Come listen to the panel of engineers, makers, designers, and educators as they discuss this important question. Hear perspectives from designers, engineers, and educators from around the world. Let’s put this question to our panelists and hear what the community has to say.

Panel Discussions on Women in Tech

Returning for the second year, this empowering session celebrates the achievements of women in tech, explores their unique challenges, and fosters meaningful and honest discussions on how we can drive both diversity and innovation. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and be inspired by trailblazing women shaping the future of technology.

This year’s Women in Tech panel will be moderated by myself, and my panelists will include: Dr. Amy Thompson, CTO for the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Amy Hamilton, a teacher for over 24 years who is ushering in the next generation of technology innovators and leaders, Delphine Genouvrier, a long-time Dassault Systèmes employee responsible for directing the Product Definition Team for SIMULIA Simulation solutions, Nicole Walden, a mechanical designer and veteran SOLIDWORKS community leader, and Michelle Boucher, VP of Research at Tech-Clarity.

The path to executive leadership presents unique hurdles for women in STEM. The conference features panel discussions that dissect these challenges with analytical precision. Our panel of veteran engineers, educators, analysts, product managers, and user group leaders will share their candid insights into their career trajectories and how they tackle real work-life balance.

These panels provide a roadmap for career progression, moving the conversation from “surviving” the industry to “leading” it.

Educational Outreach and Student Engagement

The pipeline problem—the lack of young women entering engineering fields—requires proactive intervention. 3DEXPERIENCE World integrates student-focused activities that connect aspiring engineers with established professionals.

On Wednesday, February 3rd, students can attend 3DEXPERIENCE World for free, so if you are a local college or university student, register for this amazing opportunity today.

 

Mentorship Programs

Students attending the conference often have access to mentorship circles. Here, university students interact with seasoned professionals who offer guidance on resume building, portfolio reviews, and interview preparation. This direct access demystifies the industry and provides students with concrete steps to launch their careers.

Showcasing Student Innovation

The event frequently highlights student projects, ensuring that female student teams receive equal visibility. Whether it is a robotics competition or a sustainable design challenge, showcasing the work of young women validates their skills and encourages them to persist in their studies. It signals to the broader industry that a talented wave of female engineers is on the horizon.

This year, we are excited to be showcasing the finals of the AAKRUTI Innovation Competition, the only student-led, end-to-end design and innovation contest powered by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform during General Sessions.

This student competition has evolved from an India-only initiative in 2011 to a global innovation movement with 1,812 student design teams, 504 colleges/universities, 399 all-women teams — making the future workforce ready today.

We know girls rule…

3DEXPERIENCE World demonstrates a robust commitment to empowering women in engineering through targeted action. By combining high-level networking with rigorous technical training and leadership development, the event provides a comprehensive ecosystem for growth for women in technology.

For women in the industry, participating in these activities offers more than just inspiration; it provides the tactical tools and professional alliances necessary to navigate and lead in a competitive field. As the industry continues to evolve, the integration of diverse talent will remain the critical factor in driving genuine innovation.

If you are attending 3DEXPERIENCE World, please join us for one of the many sessions or panels geared towards women working in STEM fields. These sessions aren’t about exclusion—they’re about equity, empowerment, and impact, ensuring women have the tools, networks, and visibility needed to thrive.

See you all in Houston!

Barb Schmitz

Barb Schmitz

Senior Marketing Communications Manager at SolidWorks
Barb Schmitz is a Senior Manager in Marketing Communications with BA in Journalism and over 30 years of experience in the CAD software industry. She started her career as a journalist covering technology and served as an editor for several leading industry publications for over 20 years. Besides being a sleuth of tech, she is a loyal dog owner, travel bum, mom, lover of hoppy IPAs, red wine, and alternative music lover living in the great city of Chicago.