Conferences are large events that tend to be more focused on networking and hearing new experiences with AA recovery. Because we bring together women throughout the state, the chance to hear different stories contributes to your recovery. You can meet new women and learn from some of them. You may also collect contact information, and when you visit that area, you will have an AA buddy.
A retreat is typically a smaller, more intimate gathering where attendees may build deeper relationships with each other. There is usually a greater emphasis on personal development and growth, and attendees often have ample opportunity for reflection and self-care.
The Origin of the AZ AA Women’s Conference
Some may wonder “Why an Arizona AA Women’s Conference?”
Others may ask “What took us so long?!”
It had been my personal dream to start this event since I moved to Arizona from Michigan in 2007. The seed was planted while driving home to Michigan from the 2004 International Women’s Conference in Buffalo, New York, one cold and snowy day in February. Having just shared my recovery experience with hundreds of women from around the country, it occurred to me that many could not attend the annual International Conferences because of the distance and expense involved.
Why not start a statewide Conference so that women could have a similar experience? Meeting new women, hearing new stories, and engaging in meaningful recovery activities would be more available if the Women’s Conference experience was localized.
After many meetings and plans, a small committee of women persisted and pulled together the first Michigan Women’s Conference in July, 2005. Over 200 women attended; in fact, we had to start a wait list because the hotel was at full capacity. The Michigan Women’s Conference is in its 20th year in 2025.
Our Arizona Conference has followed a similar pattern. A half dozen women gathered together in 2015 to locate a space, create an agenda, and organize all of the details to plan the first Annual AZ AA Women’s Conference that kicked off in July, 2016.
To all the women who have made this dream come true, in gratitude,
March 13, 2025