Women's Business Symposium Planned

A "Women's Biz Symposium" will be held Oct. 29 at the Ardmore convention center.

The conference is sponsored by the Women’s Business Center (WBC) of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, a Durant-based economic development organization.

The keynote speaker is Sally Baskey, whose motivational program "Laughter, My Drug of Choice," is a humorous one-woman show delivering the message that finding humor in a difficult situation is key to surviving with sanity intact.

Experts in their fields will present topics during the event and include: “Making Wise Financial Plans,” Dr. Eileen St. Pierre, OSU Extension; “Making Wise Money Decisions,” Mike Visna, Prudential; “Five Techniques to Improve Your Website,” Dr. Brian Whitacre, OSU Extension; and “What Now?  Coping with Adverse Events”, Penny Miller, Venture HRO.

For the first time, entrepreneurs can reserve a booth to sell or promote their products or services.  Booth space is limited but still available.  A style show featuring clothes from area businesses and models from corporate sponsors will be presented at lunch.  

“This is an informative symposium planned for entrepreneurs, but everyone is invited and urged to attend,” said Dr. Barbara Rackley, WBC Coordinator.  “This is a great opportunity to hear topics that are designed to help the small business owners; topics that are vital to the successful operation of a business.”

Partners co-sponsoring the Conference and Expo include the Ardmore, Davis, Pauls Valley and Sulphur Chambers of Commerce; Ardmore Main Street;  OSU Cooperative Extension in Carter, Garvin, Love and Murray counties; Southern Oklahoma Technology Center; Cable One; Keystone Broadcasting; and REI’s Women’s Business Center, as well as 16 corporate sponsors.  The WBC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Symposium registration (includes Keynote Speaker, Meeting Sessions, Expo, Style Show, and Lunch) is $25.  Registration with Booth Space is $50 (space limited.)   To register online, go to www.ruralenterprises.com.   Registration deadline is Thursday, October 22, 2009.   To register by mail, please provide your name, business name, address, telephone number and e-mail address and mail, with registration fee to REI, Women’s Biz Symposium, PO Box 1335, Durant, OK 74702.

 For more information or to request booth space call Dr. Barbara Rackley or Lori Smith 800-658-2823 .