2010 Power Conference: What a Success!
The inaugural Power Conference: Women Doing Business! was held September 1, 2010 from 8:00 AM to 4:30PM at the Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center.
Have you ever seen 22 women's organizations come together to partner and put on a Conference for 550 attendees? That's just what The Power Conference did. The purpose? To mobilize and promote women in business. WBO-MC, as part of The Women's Business Consortium, got together with women's organizations from Maryland, Northern Virginia and DC to launch The Power Conference on September 1, 2010. It was the first time a conference of such size and quality was put on to showcase what women businesses in this area have to offer. It also showed the power of partnering, which is the future for women business owners. Ten women's organizations in the Washington Metropolitan area created a Women's Business Consortium to host the conference.
Consortium organizers included:
- Women Business Owners of Montgomery County
- Women in Business Education Foundation, Inc.
- Women Business Owners of Prince George's County
- Women Presidents Education Organization
Participating organizations included:
- Success in the City
- Maryland Women's Heritage Center
- Maryland Women in Technology
- African Women Council
The Power Conference is designed to promote business development for women in business through networking, education, and marketing opportunities.
Workshops covered three areas:
- Business Development and Contracting
- Technology and Marketing
- Personal Development for Business Growth
Sam Horn, bestselling author of POP – Stand Out in a Crowd, delivered a Keynote Workshop on the Perfect Pitch. PEPCO and WPEO presented a session for women-owned, minority, and disabled veteran-owned businesses on strategic alliances for Corporate and Government Procurement.
A Keynote Luncheon panel moderated by ABC News Anchor Maureen Bunyan discussed the power of and resources for women-owned businesses. Each panelist was an experienced businesswoman who has applied her entrepreneurial talents to promoting women in business. Dr. Sharon Freeman is an Economic Development Specialist, author, and successful entrepreneur on the cutting edge of global business development. Dr. Sharon Hadary is the founder of the Center for Women's Business Research and has been called a "Change Agent for Women." Cynthia de Lorenzi is the CEO of Success in The City, rated #1 by The Washington Post for women's networking organizations in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Ana Recio Harvey is the SBA Director of the Office of Women's Business Ownership. A highly successful SBA 8(a)-certified entrepreneur and former President of the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Harvey now oversees the SBA's efforts to promote the growth of women-owned businesses.
Attendees lunched with "Power Brokers" - noteworthy businesswomen including Sharon Pinder CEO of the Pinder Group; Marissa Levin, CEO Information Experts and columnist for The DC Examiner and The Washington Post; Doris E. McMillon, President of McMillon Communications; and Lynda Ellis, CEO of Capitol Concierge.
The tradeshow showcased local businesses and was ground zero for networking. The Power Conference provided multiple platforms to develop business through exhibiting, marketing, sampling, networking, sponsorships, and advertising. The Women's Business Consortium contacts reach over 15,000 people and attendees reached hundreds of prospects at the Conference.
Power Partners span Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia
Power Partners include other organizations that supported the consortium by reaching out to their members, spreading the word & providing support.
- The Metropolitan Business Council
- National Association of Women Business Owners Greater DC
- Rockville Chamber of Commerce
- MOMS, Inc.
- MDWIT Multinational Development of Women in Technology
- Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
- Sister4Sister Network
- Montgomery County Business and Professional Women
- Women Executive Leadership Network
- Women Ambassadors for Business
- BNI
- American Association of University Women
- Community Development and Consulting
- Dress for Success - DC