Schedule of Events
WELCOME
It is our pleasure to invite you and your colleagues to the 24th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference, Women’s Business & Buyers Mart, the oldest conference and business opportunities fair for women in business in the country, and the premier event for women business owners in the Midwest. This year’s conference will be held September 22, 2010 at McCormick Place-West in Chicago. Please take note of our new location for this year’s event.
This year’s event offers women business owners solutions to the current problems they are facing and the opportunity to increase the profitability of their businesses by building relationships with corporate and government buyers, business experts, and other women business owners.
We encourage you to attend this year’s event and participate in the opportunities that our staff and sponsors have made available to you. Please continue to visit our conference website for updates as we get closer to September.
Hedy M. Ratner and S. Carol Dougal
Co-Founders and Co-Presidents
Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)
24th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference
*As of March 1, 2010
Regional Workshop for WBEs Prior to Event
The WBDC-Chicago will again host a workshop for all certified WBEs prior to the September Conference in each of its 5 major markets: Chicago; Kansas City and St. Louis, MO; Milwaukee, WI; and Minneapolis, MN. Please check back after July 1, 2010 for further details.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
7:15 a.m.
Registration Opens (outside Skyline Ballroom)
8:00 – 9:30 a.m.
24th Annual Women’s Forum Breakfast (Skyline Ballroom A-C)
9:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Woman's Business & Buyers Mart (Skyline Ballroom D&E)
10:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Corporate Connections (Skyline Ballroom D&E)
*By appointment only
9:45 – 11:45 a.m.
From Dream to Reality: Launching Your Own Business
Workshop for start-ups (Breakout Room 180)
Noon – 1:45 p.m.
24th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon (Skyline Ballroom A-C)
1:45 – 5:00 p.m.
Women’s Business & Buyers Mart (Skyline Ballroom D&E)
2:15 - 5:00 p.m.
Corporate Connections (Skyline Ballroom D&E)
*By appointment only
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Ask the Experts: Solutions for Your Business
For business owners of all levels (Breakout Room 179)
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Get Down to Business Networking Reception (Skyline Ballroom Terrace)
Sponsorship Opportunities
Click here for the 2010 EWC Corporate & Government Sponsorship Opportunities Form
Click here for the 2010 EWC WBE Sponsorship Opportunities Form
Please check back after April 1, 2010 for a list of our 2010 Conference Sponsors.
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) extends their gratitude to all of the current and past sponsors of the Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference, for without their commitment, consistent generosity and support this annual event would not be possible.
Sponsorships for this event are available for corporations, government agencies and WBENC certified WBEs. Please see the appropriate forms above for a list of current opportunities.
2009 Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference Sponsors
*companies listed are those committed as of August 21, 2009.
Marquee Sponsors ($35,000 and Up)
BP America, Inc.
Harris N.A.
Premier Sponsors ($25,000-$34,000)
ComEd
Health Care Service Corporation/BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois
Northern Trust
United Airlines - The Official Carrier of the WBDC
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Walgreen Co
Featured Sponsors ($20,000- $24,000)
Microsoft Corporation – The Official Technology Sponsor of the WBDC
National City – now a part of PNC
Major Sponsors ($15,000-$19,000)
Bank of America
CDW
Charter One Bank
Citibank
Continental Casualty Company (CNA)
Kraft Foods
M&I Bank
Macy’s Foundation
MarketSphere Consulting
OfficeMax
RubinBrown LLP
Southwest Airlines Co.
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Small Business Administration
UBS
United Parcel Service (UPS)
University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)
Workshop Sponsors ($7,500 - $10,000)
MasterCard Worldwide
PepsiCo, Inc.
The University of Chicago
The University of Chicago Medical Center
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
Ask the Experts Sponsors ($5,000)
City of Chicago, Department of Aviation
City of Chicago, Department of Procurement Services
IBM
U.S. Bank
United Healthcare
WBE Sponsors ($5,000-$10,000)
Directions
Futura Marketing, Inc.
INTREN, Inc.
Manilow Suites, Inc.
National Van Lines, Inc.
Overture Premiums & Promotions LLC
Smead Manufacturing Company
Premier Media Sponsors ($50,000 and Up)
Chicago Sun-Times
Comcast
NBC5 Chicago
Pioneer Press
Media Sponsors ($10,000 and Up)
Black EOE Journal
CATALINA
Empower Woman Publications
Hispanic Network
MBE
Minorities and Women In Business
Minority Business News USA (MBN USA)
Professional Woman’s
Today’s Chicago Woman (TCW)
WE Magazine for WomenWomen’s Enterprise (WE USA)
Exhibitor Information
24th Annual Women’s Business & Buyers Mart
Click here for the 2010 Exhibitor Brochure
The Women’s Business & Buyers Mart is the tradeshow element of the Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference, and serves as a one-stop shop for women entrepreneurs in every stage of business.
The Mart provides an opportunity for the established woman business owner to enhance the profitability of her business by establishing relationships with corporate and government buyers, and with other entrepreneurs. It also provides every woman business owner, from start-up to established, with top-notch business resources to help ensure her business is as efficient and productive as it can be.
For the past two decades, the Mart has helped successfully establish business relationships between women-owned businesses and the purchasing departments of major corporations and government agencies.
Please check back after July 1, 2010 for a list of our 2010 Exhibitors.
2009 Women’s Business & Buyers Mart Exhibitors
Exhibitors listed are those committed by August 27, 2009.
Corporate Procurement
Allstate Insurance
American Airlines
Avon Products, Inc.
Bank of America
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
BP America
CDW
Chicago 2016
Citibank
ComEd
Continental Casualty Company (CNA)
CSL Behring LLC
CVS Caremark
Ernst & Young LLP
Harris N.A.
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC)
IBM
Integrys Energy Group
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Kraft Foods
Macy’s
Marathon Petroleum Company
Microsoft Corporation
National City – now a part of PNC
Navistar
Nicor Gas
Northern Trust
OfficeMax
PepsiCo, Inc
RR Donnelley
Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center – Office of Transformation
Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation
Southwest Airlines
Target Corporation
U.S. Bank
U.S. Cellular
United Airlines
United Healthcare
United Parcel Service (UPS)
University HealthSystem Consortium
The University of Chicago
The University of Chicago Medical Center
University of Illinois at Chicago
W.W. Grainger, Inc.
Walgreens
Wisconsin Energy Corporation/WE Energies
Business Resources
ACCION Chicago
Charter One Bank
Itasca Bank & Trust Co.
RubinBrown LLP
UBS
Federal Government Procurment
HACIA/U.S. Department of Transportation
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of State, OSDBU
U.S. General Services Administration
U.S. Small Business Administration
Local Government Procurement
Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)
Chicago Park District
Chicago Public Schools, Office of Business Diversity
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
City Colleges of Chicago
City of Chicago, Department of Aviation
City of Chicago, Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
City of Chicago, Department of Procurement Services
City of Chicago, Office of the Treasurer
Cook County
Illinois Department of Central Management Services - BEP
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Entrepreneurship Network
Small Business Development Center
Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
Metra
Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Public Building Commission of Chicago
WBE Companies
ASAP Staffing LLC
Cedar Concepts Corporation
Consolidated Printing
Directions
Edlong Dairy Flavors
Fodeo
Ida’s Gourmet Breads
The Image Studios
Instant Technologies
J&J Exhibitors Service, Inc.
J&J Motor Services
Kayhan International
Kelly Mitchell Group, Inc.
MXOtech, Inc.
National Tax Search, LLC
National Van Lines
Overture LLC
S and Y Industries, Inc.
Signs Now
Smead Manufacturing Company
Superior Staffing Resources Inc.
VIVA USA, Inc.
Wedgeworth Business Communications
Resource Organizations
Chicago Minority Business Development Council (CMBDC)
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)
Women In Management
Women Presidents' Organization (WPO)
Women's Business Development Center (WBDC)
Corporate Connections
Located inside the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart
Skyline Ballroom D&E, McCormick Place - West
The Women's Business Development Center (WBDC) is thrilled to be presenting its 8th Annual Corporate Connections program at this year’s Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. Over the past seven years, this extraordinary program has grown to be one of the most successful and popular elements of the conference.
Located on the Mart floor and strictly for certified WBEs, Corporate Connections provides WBEs with the opportunity to meet one-on-one with corporate and government purchasing decision-makers in closed-office sessions. Numerous WBEs have secured highly sought after contracts through this business relationship building model. Eligible WBEs will be pre-selected by corporate and government buyers for one-on-one meetings that will take place throughout the conference.
Please check back after June 1, 2010 for further details.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Corporate Connections Eligibility Requirements for WBEs: In order to apply for a 2010 Corporate Connections meeting, your company must be a current WBENC certified WBE through any of the 14 Regional Partner Organizations. WBEs must also be registered for the 24th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference before applying for a meeting. Please note, only WBEs that meet these Eligibility Requirements will be considered for Corporate Connections meetings.
Corporate Connections meetings are driven by the needs of participating corporations and government agencies, and not by the WBDC-Chicago. There is no guarantee that a WBE will be invited to participate in a meeting. Meetings will not be announced until September 1, 2010
Please pay close attention to the WBDC-Chicago refund policy. No registration payments will be refunded if a WBE does not receive an invitation to participate in a Corporate Connections meeting.
HOW DO I REGISTER?
WBE Registration – In June of 2010, the Women’s Business Development Center will notify all WBENC certified WBEs by email with a link to the 2010 registration page for Corporate Connections. Notifications for this program will be sent to the primary contact for your company as listed in WBENCLink. WBEs should check their company descriptions in WBENCLink to ensure that their business description is easy to understand and that all information is accurate.
Corporations and Government Agencies - Corporations and Government Agencies that are interested in participating by bringing one or more buyers to the conference should contact Cynthia Johnson at cjohnson@wbdc.org for more information.
Speakers
24th Annual Women’s Forum Breakfast
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Skyline Ballroom A-C, McCormick Place - West
For the past two decades, the Women’s Forum Luncheon has remained one of the most popular and prestigious elements of the Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. Learn from, and be inspired by, nationally renowned women business owners as moderator Terry Savage, Chicago Sun-Times financial columnist, leads this year’s panel through another lively, candid, open – and always fascinating - discussion about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
*The last twenty minutes will be open for the audience to ask questions.
2010 Forum Moderator:
Terry Savage
Chicago Sun-Times Financial Columnist and Best-Selling Author of The Savage Truth on Money
President, Terry Savage Productions, Ltd.
Terry Savage is a nationally recognized, award-winning financial authority, television personality and the author of best-selling books on personal finance. Her most recent book, The Savage Number: How Much Money Do You Need to Retire?, hit the top 20 list on Amazon.com and has received praise from investment gurus like James Cramer, Jim Rogers, and Bob Brinker. Terry is the nationally syndicated personal finance columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. She also writes weekly for theStreet.com, and is a regular commentator on CNN, CNBC, PBS and NBC on issues related to investing and financial markets. You can read her columns and post questions on her blog at www.TerrySavage.com. Terry’s financial expertise comes from experience. A founding member and the first woman trader on the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Terry is also the president of her own company, Terry Savage Productions, Ltd.
Please check back after July 1, 2010 for a list of our 2010 Forum Participants.
24th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Noon – 1:45 p.m. Skyline Ballroom A-C, McCormick Place - West
Keynote presentation TBD
Each year, the Women’s Business Development Center’s (WBDC) Hall of Fame Awards recognize women entrepreneurs who have demonstrated unequaled strength, perseverance and creativity in their businesses, and who have embodied entrepreneurial success in various ways. The WBDC also recognizes advocates, corporations and government agencies who have demonstrated their enthusiastic commitment to the strengthening of women’s business ownership and economic development.
Please check back after July 1, 2010 for a list of our 2010 Award Recipients and the announcement of our Keynote Presenter.
Speaker Opportunities
Speaking opportunities for the 24th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference are closed. If you are interested in becoming a speaker at future Conferences or in our regional activities, please contact Mia Delano directly at mdelano@wbdc.org.
Workshops
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is a recognized leader in the development of innovative and affective programs that serve all stages of business owners. The same standards used to create the workshops presented year-round in our Center and throughout our nine-state Midwestern Region have been used to create the workshops presented at our annual Conference.
Regional Workshop for WBEs Prior to Event
The WBDC-Chicago will again host a workshop for all certified WBEs prior to the September Conference in each of its 5 major markets: Chicago; Kansas City and St. Louis, MO; Milwaukee, WI; and Minneapolis, MN. All certified WBEs headquartered in our around these locations will receive additional information on each event 3-4 weeks prior to set date.
Please check back after July 1, 2010 for further details.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
From Dream to Reality: Launching Your Own Business (For start-ups)
Sponsored by The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
9:45 – 11:45 a.m. Breakout Room 180
Do you have a great business idea, but you’re not sure how to turn that dream into reality? Be part of a lively discussion with those on the frontlines - other women who have started their own businesses and the professionals who helped them get there. Hear how they secured financing, how their businesses evolved, how they learned to balance their personal and professional lives, and how they knew when to change. This stimulating, interactive session will provide you with the tools, information and guidance you need to launch a successful business.
General Information & Travel
Registration for the conference is available online by clicking on the “Register Now” tab at the top of the page, or by calling (312) 853-3477 ext. 24. Tickets are $200 for women business owners and $225 for all others before September 1, 2010; after September 1, 2010, tickets become $275 for everyone, in advance and at the door. This fee includes access to all conference events including meals and the Mart. Individual tickets may also be purchased for the Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon, Women’s Business & Buyers Mart, and the Women’s Forum Luncheon and are $125 each for everyone.
As the Official Hotel of this year’s Conference the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, 2233 S. Martin Luther King Drive, is offering a special rate of $165 for attendees. September is one of the busiest convention months in Chicago; room rates are high and rooms downtown go fast. We encourage you to call early to reserve a room. The deadline for this special rate is August 31, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. or until the room block is full; please note, there are a limited number of rooms available at this rate and they will be given on a first come, first served basis. To book your reservation online, please visit: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/entrepreneurial or to book by phone call 888-421-1442 to make your reservation, and be sure to mention that you are with the “Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference” or the "WBDC" to receive this special rate. Directly connected to McCormick Place – West, this newly renovated chic hotel offers guests upscale contemporary amenities and beautiful views of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan making it the perfect location for our 2010 attendees. Please visit www.hyatt.com to view this beautiful property.
Due to the proximity of our host hotel for this year’s event, shuttle transportation will not be provided. Please follow the directional signs from the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, McCormick Place - West Parking Lot A or the taxi drop-off area for McCormick Place – West (Gate 40, Indiana entrance) to the Skyline Ballroom for event registration.
Parking is also available at McCormick Place - West. Please follow the signs to Lot A parking; garage level 4 is equal to building level 3 which is where our event is located. At this time, there are no discounts on parking.
A complimentary coat and luggage check will be available for your use at the event; this will be located by registration outside of the Skyline Ballroom.
Upon your arrival at McCormick Place - West, please check-in at Registration, located just outside of the Skyline Ballroom, where you will receive your registration packet, including your name badge, meal tickets and Conference materials. All online Registrants will check-in at the Pre-Registered counters, which will be alphabetical by your last name. Registration will open at 7:30 a.m. on September 22, 2010.
All facilities are handicapped accessible.
FAQs & Contact Info
COMING SOON
