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Women in Business 2009: The Bridge to Quality

June 9 thru June 11, Hilton San Francisco Hotel and the Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA

Corporate Co-Chairs: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Wells Fargo
WBE Co-Chairs: Artech Information Systems, L.L.C., Hollister Construction Company

In June 2009, WBENC will host its 10th annual Women in Business conference in San Francisco, CA. This annual national conference and business fair is the largest event of its kind in the nation for women’s business enterprises (WBEs). During the three-day event, WBEs, senior corporate executives, supplier diversity and procurement professionals, and government representatives foster many business opportunities by participating in an ambitious agenda that includes networking activities, workshops, general sessions and the Business Fair.

Register Now

Register Now: Click here to register as an attendee or exhibitor, make your hotel arrangements, learn more about what WIB2009 has to offer, and check out who’s already sponsoring the big event.

Become a Sponsor: Click here to view the numerous sponsorship opportunities available at WIB2009.

Questions: Call Paige Adams, Director of Development and Corporate Relations, at (202) 872-5515, ext. 8020 or email padams@wbenc.org.

To see highlights from Women in Business 2008 in Atlanta, press play.

Key Facts About WIB 2009

Please take a moment to read an interview with Cristy McCullough, Assistant Vice President Marketing and Communication for WBENC.

1. What can you tell us about the WBENC National Conference?

From a content perspective, this year's conference is a gold mine and is likely to be one of our best conferences ever. As usual, the cornerstone of the event consists of the Business Fair, the MatchMaker Meetings, and informal networking events. These events provide access to Corporate Members with the business opportunities that women business enterprises seek. However, as a first, WBENC is offering three Symposiums, a total of 4 1/2 hours divided in three workshop sessions on a specific topic, and the Women's Leadership Forum is conducting a pre-conference bonus workshop entitled, Bullet Proofing Your Company for Today's Economy." The symposium titles include: Environmental Sustainability as a Mark of Quality, Manufacturing: Benchmarking to Drive Growth, and Thriving in a Challenging Economy. In addition, the International Workshops include: What You Need to Know Before Going Global, Selecting Where to Focus Internationally, and Selecting Where to Focus Internationally. Attending any of these events will prove to be a worthy investment of anyone's time.

2. Who will be attending the conference and what can they expect to accomplish?

(describe the agenda) Two things .... First, you can expect to have access to those corporations and WBEs with business opportunities, and if you choose to participate in any of the workshops or symposium, you will beefiest from any of the knowledge any skill development sessions, as well.

3. What is the best reason for a WBE and non-WBE to attend?

One of our favorite quotes comes from a Florida WBE, who once said that she comes to WBENC and does a year's worth of marketing in three days. In other words, a WBE that attends the WIB national Conference and Business Fair will be in the midst of hundreds of corporations that are specifically looking to conduct business with WBEs. it's like the old analogy of shooting fish in a barrel, as the corporations are there in one place and primed to do business. The WBE that is assertive, has a target strategy, is prepped with proper business intro tools, and takes advantage of every opportunity to position her company is likely to walk away with a list of contacts, many of which will lead to actual business contracts.