More than 2,500 women’s business enterprises (WBEs) and corporations will convene in Baltimore, Maryland, to fast track business contracts and bolster the economy at the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council’s (WBENC) 11th Annual Women in Business Conference and Business Fair: The Opportunity Connection (WIB2010), the largest of its kind in the nation, from June 22-24, 2010. The conference and fair are co-hosted by the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization-DC (WPEO-DC), WBENC’s regional partner, and will take place at the Hilton Baltimore and the Baltimore Convention Center. To register, go to: http://www.wbenc.org/wib2010/.
“In one concentrated event, women’s business enterprises and corporations will share and learn the best business strategies for succeeding in a down economy and spark the necessary connections to lead, sustainable partnerships, and new contracts,” said Marsha Firestone, Ph.D., president & founder of WPEO.
WBENC is the leading advocate for, and authority on, women’s businesses as suppliers to the world’s major fortune 1000 corporations. WBENC and its fourteen regional partners like WPEO are the only organizations bringing corporations and women’s business enterprises together with the goal of generating business, with 250 of the world’s most prestigious brands as its Corporate Members, and nearly 10,000 WBENC-certified WBEs.
“This is why this year’s theme is The Opportunity Connection. Buyers and suppliers connect in a face-to-face forum for business development, along with astute guidance on the national and global trends driving profitability,” said Linda Denny, president and CEO of WBENC.
WBENC Certification is gaining global momentum as a gold standard of certification which is being replicated around the world and relied upon by major corporations in finding and selecting qualified women’s businesses –. Women’s business enterprises certified by WEConnect Europe, WEConnect Canada, WEConnect India and WEConnect China are expected to attend the Conference and Business Fair to explore cross-border collaborations with WBEs and corporate attendees. WPEO-DC helps women business owners in the region access local, national, and international opportunities.
With a reputation for presenting forward-looking workshops with actionable advice, WIB2010 conference attendees will attend the following four educational tracks:
• Health Care for Small Business Track, to assist WBEs in understanding the bottom line impact of health care
• Global Business Track, for WBEs and corporations seeking to grow global profitably:
• Corporate Track, for maximizing supplier diversity’s ROI while increasing profitability
• Government Procurement Track, for mining opportunities in the growing government sector:
“This exciting line-up reinforces our role as the go-to resource for women’s business success,” commented Liz Cullen, executive director of WPEO-DC. “The Government Procurement Track is particularly appealing to our membership because many of our WBEs are looking to do business with the Federal Government. This conference should have a direct impact on their business opportunities.”
Powerful business women will set an inspirational tone at WIB2010. Sheila Johnson, visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, will keynote. Johnson is the first African-American woman to own a stake in three professional sports teams. Along with Johnson, conference speakers will include executives from Johnson & Johnson, Omega World Travel, and many more.
“Having attended several Women in Business conferences, we know the power of this event,” added Jennifer Collins, president of The Event Planning Group and host committee member with WPEO-DC. “Rarely will you find a place where corporate representatives are looking for – and finding – ways to do business with you. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t get any better than that. And that’s why WIB remains one of our ‘must attend’ events of the year.”
Each year, millions of dollars in business deals are struck at the conference as more than 350 talented WBEs and Fortune 500 companies meet through Business Fair exhibits, MatchMaker meetings and networking events.
WPEO-DC Host Committee Members Include: Candice Bennett of Candice Bennett & Associates,
Jennifer Collins of The Event Planning Group, Nancy Elberty of NTSG, Bev Gray of Exhibit Edge, Michelle Kilby of MKAssociates, Julie Lenzer-Kirk of Path Forward International, Nicole Loftus of Zorch, Angela Mederos of Cleaners of America, Mary Moslander of LiveHealthier, Leslie Saunders of Leslie Saunders Insurance Agency, Carolyn Sawyer of Tom Sawyer Company, Deborah Stallings of HR Anew, and Lisa Weber of Timeless Frames.
About WPEO: The WPEO is a regional affiliate of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses and third party certification organization. The mission of the WPEO is to increase access to business opportunities for WBEs. Our programs develop skills and knowledge for WBEs, advocate in the public and private sectors, foster relationships between WBEs, corporations and the government, and provide certification services. WPEO provides full-service, third-party certification to women entrepreneurs in the New York and D.C. regions.
About WBENC: The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the leading advocate for, and authority on, Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers and vendors to the nation’s corporations. Founded in 1997, WBENC is also the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with WBENC certification accepted by more than 1,000 corporations, representing America’s most prestigious brands, as well as government entities at the state and local levels. Throughout the year, WBENC and its RPOs provide opportunities for interactions between more than 250 member corporations and nearly 10,000 certified WBEs at business building events and other forums. WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and programs. For more information, please go to www.wbenc.org.