Women’s conference planned for June 30 Posted: Monday, June 1, 2009 10:31 am
The Messenger 06.01.09
WestStar, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Business Enterprise Resource Office and Tennessee Economic Council on Women will sponsor a women business owners opportunities conference called “Building Blocks for Success.”
The event is planned from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. June 30 at the West Tennessee Center for Agricultural Research, located at 605 Airways Blvd. in Jackson.
The registration fee will be $35 per person or $60 for two, and a continental breakfast and lunch are included.
Opportunities abound for women business owners seeking to sell in the business-to-business (B2B) marketplace. This multi-billion dollar market segment consists of buyers from government and private industry who purchase services, equipment, supplies, transportation, wholesale, retail, agriculture, finance or most any good or service.
This niche market offers contracting jobs that can help establish strategic relationships to increase a company’s competitive edge, so the business can grow exponentially.
Susan Hendrix O’Connell of Henco Furniture in Selmer will be the plenary session speaker. Dr. Christy Shaffer, Inspire Pharmaceuticals president and CEO from Durham, N.C., and a University of Tennessee at Martin alumna, will be the luncheon speaker.
In addition to informative sessions, panel discussions, workshops and exhibits, an “Opportunities Room” will be available. The room will be staffed with representatives of governmental agencies and private-sector businesses who will share upcoming bid and contracting opportunities.
Participants will learn first-hand if there is a match between a company’s goods or services and the 20 participating buying entities. They’ll also leave with information on how to competitively vie for contracts.
Session topics will include business planning, Internet marketing, human resources, time management, grant writing, customer service, certification processes and Internet social networking.
Others will be stress management, fitness and wellness, business etiquette and dressing for success.
Registrations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
If registering by mail, send checks made payable to WestStar to UT Martin, 321 Administration Building, Martin, TN 38238. One check for a group will be accepted, but there must be a separate registration form filled out for each attendee.
If registering by e-mail, send information to Virginia Grimes at vgrimes@utm.edu. Make sure to include name, business, complete address and phone number. The check should arrive by the deadline, June 22. There will be no refunds.
For more information, call Ms. Grimes at (731) 881-7298. , , , , | 
