"I had to work my way up," said Neves, 34, who has worked in Hawai'i's travel industry for 14 years. "The challenge for young talent here is getting that opportunity. ... And it's a catch-22. Someone needs to give you that chance to get that experience."

So when she heard about the two-day International Women's Leadership Conference, which began yesterday and is being held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, she knew she needed to attend.

"Just to hear these women, hear how they did it, to be young and taken seriously — that's very inspiring," she said.

About 275 women representing various careers from retail to education attended the inaugural conference hosted by Gov. Linda Lingle.

The conference, themed "Women of Inspiration: Their Personal Stories," showcased a variety of speakers yesterday who discussed leadership issues in government, business, travel and communications sectors.

Among the speakers were Michelle Peluso, president and chief executive officer of Travelocity; Sonia Aranza, president of Aranza Communications; Melinda Bush, president and chief executive officer of Hospitality Resources Worldwide and Insider Collection; Dawn Drew, publisher of National Geographic Traveler; Merle Okawara, chairwoman and chief executive officer of JC Comsa Corp. of Japan; and Annie Wu, vice chairwoman of Beijing Air Catering Ltd.

Headlining the event was Patricia de Stacy Harrison, U.S. assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, who shared with the attendees how she went from an at-home mom of three to a leader in government.

"You have to spend a lot of time trying to figure out what you want to do (with your life)," Harrison said. "Then you have to own it."

She urged the audience to recognize the leadership qualities they already possess, whether they're mothers or CEOs.

"Women should look at their own lives and give themselves credit for what they're doing," she said, "how they're demonstrating leadership on a daily basis in so many different ways."

The number of women at high levels of leadership, especially in business, is on the rise.

According to Small Business Administration, more than 9 million businesses in the United States are owned by women, employing 27.5 million people and contributing $3.6 trillion a year to the economy.

From 1998 to 2003, women-owned business have increased by 37 percent, according to a Babson College study, which also noted that women leaders tend to spend more philanthropically, focusing on education and community organizations.

"To get into this position is a privilege, of course, but it's also a responsibility," said Lingle, who gave the opening remarks. "Our personal journey must amount to more than just personal achievement."

The conference, she said, was a way for women to network with other women, to inspire and be inspired.

"Much has changed for women in America and around the world, and much for the better," Lingle said. "But we have such a long way to go. ... Laws never take us to where we want to go. Only we can do that, believe me."