The Center for Women and the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce will team up once again to present the fifth annual premier business event of the spring. Like its predecessors, this collaborative conference will assist hundreds of local business women to advance professionally by providing networking opportunities and timely topics. Attendees will leave inspired with tools to take their business to the next level during this economically challenging time.

Time: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Place: Charleston Marriott - 170 Lockwood Blvd.

Cost: $100 Includes breakfast, lunch, workshops and speed networking. Click here to register.

Convocation Speaker
Col. Martha A. Meeker, Commander 628th Air Base Wing

Col. Martha A. Meeker is Commander of the newly created 628th Air Base Wing which is part of the Pentagon's joint basing program. The 628th Air Base Wing will operate Joint Base Charleston which will serve as the support office for Charleston Air Force Base, Charleston Naval Weapons Station the Navy's Consolidated Brig and about the 50 more military commands in the area located on the two facilities. Full operation is scheduled to be reached in October. In civilian terms, Colonel Meeker will be the mayor of the region's military bases.

Keynote Speaker
Linda Tarr-Whelan, expert on women's leadership in this country and internationally, will be the keynote speaker. Linda is the auther of Women Lead the Way: Your Guide to Stepping Up to Leadership and Changing the World and is a frequent speaker to college and women's audiences, to the media and is an advisor to top officials in the United States and Europe on the role of women. Linda promotes how more women in leadership is good business and smart politics.

Additional conference highlights include:
• Power Up - Inspire Others Contest Winners
• Speed Networking
• Do's and Dont's for Women in Business

Breakout Session Topics

Each workshop will be offered twice to allow participants to attend two different sessions. Participants will have the opportunity to network before both sessions.

How to Play Well with Others
Businesses and non-profits have successfully employed Cause Marketing to create and structure partnerships to generate revenue. A panel discussion of business and non-profit representatives will describe successful Cause Marketing examples and how this tool becomes even more valuable using online social media. Using an interactive exercise, participants will also identify potential partnerships in their own communities.
Jennet Robinson Alterman, Executive Director, Center for Women and Lee Deas, Obviouslee Marketing

Winning with People
What happens when someone pushes your buttons? Learn the secret to handling difficult behaviors with class! The insight from Winning with People gives you the know-how to command the respect you deserve.
Cathy Liska, Coach, Trainer and Conflict Mediator, Effect Services.

Recharge your Moxie
Are you looking to boost your creativity? Put some zest and zing in your problem-solving? Think differently? Make a positive difference? This high-voltage session is designed to do just that! We'll work hard and play hard with high energy exercises, interactive discussions, and thought-provoking activities to Power Up! your moxie.
Jane Perdue, President & CEO, The Braithewaite Group

Don't Be A Twit
Social / Digital Media is a phenomenon that's turning everyone into a publisher and content creator. From Youtube to Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin, the list is ever growing, very addictive and the possibilities are endless. But do you really know how to use these tools effectively? Do you keep on target with your business message? Are you making valuable connections for your business? Learn tips, tricks and solutions for furthering your efforts online.
Jo Ann M. Stadtmueller, Marketing/PR Consultant-Social Media Specialist and Leslie Haywood, Charmed Life Products

Power Up! Inspire Others
For the second time, there will be a contest presented in partnership with Charleston Inspired to challenge working women to share their own creative or innovative survival story, including something that they have overcome (small or large) during challenging times. The grand prize winner will win a free registration to the conference, a Charleston Inspired gift basket and will have the opportunity to share their story during lunch at the conference. The top five stories will be printed in the event program.

Stories can be submitted January 7 - January 29, 2010. Winners must be able to attend the conference. Please limit your story to 300 words. To submit your story go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7C55MHB.

Click here to see the video about what every busy woman needs to know about the Women in Business Conference 2010

Sponsors

Title Sponsor


Gold Sponsors
Citadel Broadcasting
Comcast Spotlight
WTAT Fox 24

Lunch Sponsor
Maverick Southern Kitchens

Silver Sponsors
East Cooper Medical Cente
The Little Black Book for every busy woman
South Carolina Federal Credit Union
WildFlowers Inc.

Bronze Sponsors
Palmetto Behavioral Health System
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, L.L.P.

Bag Sponsor
East Coast Apparel & Promotions

Sponsorships and exhibitor space still available. Click here for more information or contact Lindsey Pakkala, 805.3102

Agenda
8:00 a.m.   Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m.   Morning Keynote Address from Colonel Martha A. Meeker
9:00 a.m.   Speed Networking
10:15 a.m. Break & Visit with Exhibitors
10:45 a.m. Breakout Session 1
12:00 p.m. Break & Visit with Exhibitors
12:30 p.m. Lunch & Keynote Address from Linda Tarr-Whalen
1:45 p.m.   Breakout Session 2
3:00 p.m.   Video presentation
3:30 p.m.   Adjourn

Charleston Metro Chamber Special Offer for WIB Attendees - Get five hours of uninterrupted networking with key clients, customers or business contacts. This annual Chamber golf tournament, held at Wild Dunes Resort, provides you the opportunity to network with high profile contacts or just entertain staff and clients in a casual environment. You'll maximize your exposure by participating in WIB and expanding your contacts and your business with another audience - all while saving money! This tournament hosts more than 60 teams which certainly lends itself to a lot of branding and business opportunities for all the sponsors and participants.

Tuesday, February 23
Wild Dunes Resort
Harbor and Links Courses

Registration 10 a.m., Captain's Choice/Shotgun Start

Special Rate: Discounted Ticket price for WIB participants: $600 (foursome); $150 (individual)
(Regular Ticket price: $800 (foursome); $200 (individual))
Contact: Jonna Palmer, 805.3031, jpalmer@charlestonchamber.org