The Charleston Area Business Council will feature an update from Mayor Joseph Riley on the City of Charleston.  This event is a great way for members to hear Mayor Riley’s priorities for 2010 and discuss business issues with him.

The breakfast meetings also provide members the opportunity to network with other members. Not comfortable networking? Don't worry, Chamber Ambassadors will be there to make sure you meet fellow members and new business contacts.

*Free airline ticket drawing provided by the Charleston County Aviation Authority 

Topic:  City of Charleston Update  
Speaker:  Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. 
Time: 7:30 - 9 a.m.
Place: Charleston Marriott Hotel, 170 Lockwood Blvd., 29403
Cost: $30 non-members, $20 Chamber members

For more information contact Chris Wheeler.

Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:
First Federal
Charleston County Aviation Authority 

The Environmental/ Health and Safety Committee is a way for members in environmental-related industries to be better informed and share in discussions of issues relating to air, water, waste, emergency planning, and natural resources. This group plays an important role in identifying issues for the Chamber’s Public Policy agenda and addressing the impact of environmental regulations and legislation on the unique needs of the Lowcountry.

Topic:        SC DHEC’s Waste Minimization program
Speaker:   Stacey Washington, SC DHEC
Time:        8- 9:30 a.m.
Place:       Chamber  Boardroom
Cost:        Free for Chamber members

For more inforamtion contact Graham Drayton.

Join us for Business After Hours at this beautiful East Cooper location.  Edgewater Plantation is located just off Long Point Road and I-526.  Enjoy casual networking and delicious refreshments in this elegant setting.

Go ahead. Find another place to develop more business leads, meet more of the region's leaders and enjoy a better happy hour for $20. We - and your future clients - are waiting for you at our Business After Hours.

Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Place: Edgewater Plantation, 100 Eighty Oak Ave., Mt. Pleasant

Cost: $20 Chamber member, $40 non-member

For more information contact Jonna Palmer.

Host Sponsor:

Edgewater Plantation

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 non-members, $75 Chamber and Center for Women members. 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 Regional Medical Center, Tenet Health
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

Membership has its privileges...

Maybe you are you a new member looking for ways to break in and build your business network? Perhaps you’ve been a member for years, but you’re still looking for ways to get the most out of your Chamber membership.

Join us for coffee and a light breakfast as we take you on a tour of what the Chamber does, how you can get involved,and, most importantly, what it means for your business and bottom line.

• Chat with our staff and your fellow members
• Introduce you and your company to a room of area business professionals
• Build relationships and make new connections

Don’t miss this quarterly opportunity to get LINKED in to all the Chamber has to offer - After all, you’re only as successful as your STRONGEST LINK.

Connect.  Power Your Business.  Get Answers.

7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

7:30 – 8:00 a.m. – Registration and networking

8:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Remarks & Expo

Featuring:  “Ten minutes with Charles” -  Enjoy this unique opportunity to sit one-on-one with Charles Van Rysselberge, president and CEO to ask questions and to gain more insight into what the Chamber is doing for you!

Place:  Chamber Boardroom

Cost:   Free for Chamber members

For more information contact Jonna Palmer.

Sponsors

Gold
FastSigns

Silver:

ClearChannel Communications
Production Design Associate

Want an easy, fun way to get five hours of uninterrupted networking with key clients, customers or business contacts? Give 'em your best shot at the Chamber's Annual Winter Golf Classic, one of the area's most popular outdoor opportunities for branding and business relations.

Maximize your experience with greater exposure for your business! This tournament hosts 60 teams on two full courses at one of the area's leading resorts. Sponsorships are available, but they sell out fast. Sign up early to ensure your spot on the course!

Each team will enjoy 18 holes of golf (with lunch and beverages). After a day on the course, everyone is invited to Sweetgrass Pavilion for the 19th Hole Awards Reception and Dinner. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, Longest Drive, Beat the Pro and Closest to the Pin for each course.

Place: Wild Dunes Resort, Links and Harbor Courses

Time: Registration 10 a.m.
         Shotgun Start (Captain’s Choice) - 11:30 a.m.
         Lunch will be served on the course.

Cost:
Hole Sponsor and Team - $1,000
Team - $800
Individual - $200

Title Sponsor:

Gold Sponsor:

Silver Sponsors:
First Federal
Lee Distributors
Orkin

The North Area Business Council will feature an update from Mayor Keith Summey on the City of North Charleston.  This event is a great way for members to hear Mayor Summey’s priorities for 2010 and discuss business issues with him.

The breakfast meetings also provide members the opportunity to network with other members. Not comfortable networking? Don't worry, Chamber Ambassadors will be there to make sure you meet fellow members and new business contacts. 

*Free airline ticket drawing provided by the Charleston County Aviation Authority. 

Topic:  City of North Charleston Update
Speaker:  Mayor Keith Summey
Time: 7:30 a.m.- 9:00 a.m.
Place: North Charleston City Hall
          2500 City Hall Lane, 29406 (Click for Map)
Cost: $30 non-members, $15 Chamber member

For more information contact Chris Wheeler.

Sponsors:

Gold Sponsor:
Grounds Maintenance, Inc.  

Silver Sponsor:
Charleston County Aviation Authority