Kelly Helfman, the former president of major fashion trade shows including Magic and Coterie, is launching Girls Day LA, a one-day women’s wellness summit set to debut May 2 at The New Mart in downtown Los Angeles.
Timed to Mental Health Awareness Month, the event will feature a mix of speaker sessions, workshops and experiential activations centered on topics like mindset, career growth and personal wellbeing. Organizers say the goal is to offer attendees practical tools they can apply in their daily lives, rather than purely inspirational content.
The speaker lineup includes entrepreneur Roxanne Kaiser, writer and podcaster Matt Gottesman, life coach Andrea Quinn and Noyz Fragrances CEO Malena Higuera, among others. Programming will also include guided meditation, sound bath sessions and workshops focused on stress regulation and journaling.
Girls Day LA will also feature a curated marketplace with around 30 brands spanning wellness, beauty, fashion and lifestyle. Activations include services like vitamin shots, IV hydration and recovery-focused experiences, underscoring the continued blending of consumer wellness, retail and live events.
The launch comes as in-person wellness events gain traction post-pandemic. Operators across fitness, hospitality and retail have increasingly leaned into events as a way to drive engagement and introduce new products and services.
Helfman, who previously oversaw a portfolio of trade shows valued at more than $100 million, is positioning the summit as a more intimate, impact-focused offering compared to traditional large-scale industry events.
“Girls Day LA was created to give women a clear vision for their next chapter, along with practical tools to reduce stress and improve their health, mindset, and daily habits,” Helfman said. “After more than two decades producing large-scale events, I felt called to build something more intimate and impact-driven.”
“This summit is about real conversations, meaningful connections, and providing tangible tools for women to grow into their most authentic selves,” she added.
Tickets for Girls Day LA include access to full-day programming, marketplace experiences and wellness activations, with VIP options offering additional perks.
