26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference Brochure Mailer

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 20, 2012.

All facilities are handicapped accessible.

REGISTER NOW Scan this QR code for more information and to register or visit www.WBDC.org or call 312-853-3477, ext. 240

McCormick Place-West 2301 S. Indiana Avenue Chicago, Illinois

Get it all at the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference!

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.

September 20, 2012

Do you want to...

Start a business?

Expand your business?

Make your business more profitable?

Market to government and corporations?

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.

Women’s Business Development Center 8 South Michigan Avenue 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60603-3302

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.

26 th ANNUAL

Return service requested

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 $175 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 29, 2012 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 room reservation online, please visit our conference website and click on the “Travel & General Information” tab. If you need additional assistance, please call 888-421-1442 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 2012 attendees.

Please visit www.hyatt.com to view this beautiful property.

Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Chicago, IL 60603 Permit #4189

The 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference will be held at Chicago’s McCormick Place-West, located at 2301 S. Indiana Avenue.

If you receive a duplicate of this brochure, please pass it along to a friend!

Hotel & Transportation

The oldest national conference and business opportunities fair for women business owners in the country.

Conference Sponsors Marquee Sponsors*

Welcome It is our pleasure to invite you and your colleagues to the 26th 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 Thursday, September 20, 2012 at McCormick Place-West in Chicago.

Premier Sponsors

This year’s conference 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.

Premier WBE Sponsors

We encourage you to attend this year’s event and participate in the opportunities that our staff and sponsors have made available to you. We hope you will join us at this important event!

Premier Media Sponsors

S. Carol Dougal and Hedy M. Ratner Co-Founders and Co-Presidents Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC)

Major Sponsors

Conference Co-Chair

Cheryl Pearson-McNeil Senior Vice President Public Affairs and Government Relations Nielsen

WBE Sponsors Conference Co-Chair Mindy Mercaldo lllinois Division President Citibank, N.A.

Media Sponsors

Honorary Co-Chairs Official Carrier

Official Television Sponsor

Official Technology & Cyber Café Sponsors

Honorable Danny K. Davis, U.S. Congressman, Illinois – 7th District Honorable Pat Quinn, Governor, State of Illinois Honorable John J. Cullerton, Illinois Senate President Honorable Rahm Emanuel, Mayor, City of Chicago Honorable Judith A. Roussel, Illinois District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration

* T he Deluxe Corporation Foundation is serving in an Honorary Sponsorship capacity.

Sponsors listed are those confirmed by JuLY 1, 2012 2

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Regional Workshop Prior to the Conference Teaming for Contracts For WBEs and established business owners

August 2, 2012 Chicago, IL

Host Sponsor: Microsoft

August 7, 2012 Minneapolis, MN

Host Sponsor: Target Corp.

August 9, 2012 St. Louis, MO

Host Sponsor: RubinBrown LLP

August 16, 2012 Milwaukee, WI

Host Sponsor: H arley-Davidson Motor Company

For more information, please see page 10

Women’s Forum Breakfast Thursday, September 20, 2012 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.

Skyline Ballroom A-C, McCormick Place-West Sponsored by

For over 20 years the Women’s Forum 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, appearing courtesy of the Chicago Sun-Times, 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 to audience questions.

2012 schedule of events Thursday, September 20, 2012 7:30 a.m. Registration Opens (outside Skyline Ballroom) 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

26 Annual Women’s Forum Breakfast (Skyline Ballroom A-C) th

Featuring Moderator Terry Savage

9:30 – 11:45 a.m. Women’s Business & Buyers Mart (Skyline Ballroom D & E) 9:45 – 11:45 a.m. Launching Your Own Business: From Dream to Reality (Breakout Room 180) Workshop for start-ups

9:45 – 11:45 a.m. Contract Connections (Skyline Ballroom D & E) *By appointment only

Noon – 1:45 p.m. 26th 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) 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Contract Connections (Skyline Ballroom D & E)

*By appointment only

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Ask the Experts: Solutions for Your Business (Breakout Room 181A) For business owners of all levels

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Get Down to Business Networking Reception (Skyline Ballroom Terrace)

Marquee Sponsors*

Forum Moderator Terry Savage Chicago Sun-Times Financial Columnist, Best-Selling Author of “The Savage Truth on Money” and 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 New Savage Number: How Much Money Do You Really Need to Retire? was released in 2009, and released in 2011 was a new edition of The Savage Truth on Money, which was named one of the ten best money books of the year by Amazon.com when the first edition came out a decade ago. Says Terry: “Those Truths remain valid, though I’ve updated guidance and numbers in this edition, which is aimed at those just starting out – or starting over!”

Terry is a nationally syndicated finance columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, and a regular contributor to the popular investing websites MoneyShow.com, YahooFinance.com and TheStreet.com. A frequent guest on radio and television shows including CNN, NBC and CNBC – appearing several times on Oprah! – Terry co-hosted her CBS-TV’s Chicago morning show in 2010 and is in demand as a speaker at meetings across the country. 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, she is also the president of her own company, Terry Savage Productions, Ltd.

* T he Deluxe Corporation Foundation is serving in an Honorary Sponsorship capacity.

Continued on next page 4

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Women’s Forum Breakfast, cont.

2012 Forum Panelists Sue Bhatia Chief Executive Officer Rose International, Inc. Ranked 13th on Fast Company’s list of the Top 25 Women Business Builders in North America, Bhatia founded Rose International in the spring of 1993. Under her leadership, Rose emerged as a force in the IT and Business Services arena, and is a leader in providing innovative end-to-end technology services to both commercial organizations and government agencies from branch offices, Centralized Recruiting Centers and development centers in 21 U.S. cities and India. With 6,000+ associates and steady revenue growth, Rose International is recognized as one of the country’s fastest-growing and most successful companies, and the largest woman-owned business in St. Louis, MO.

Christie Hefner

Former CEO, Playboy Enterprises, Inc. Executive Chairman, Canyon Ranch Enterprises

Christie Hefner serves as Executive Chairman of Canyon Ranch Enterprises, a new company leveraging the brand and knowledge of Canyon Ranch via media and business partnerships.

From 1988-2008 she served as Chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, Inc. overseeing global expansion of Playboy’s legendary brand to a wide array of new platforms and markets, transforming a domestic publishing-based business into a global multi-media and lifestyle company. She was the longest serving female CEO ever of a public company, and she was named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in the World by Forbes magazine for three consecutive years.

Thursday, September 20, 2012 Noon - 1:45 p.m.

Skyline Ballroom A-C, McCormick Place-West Sponsored by

Keynote Presenter To be announced

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 that have demonstrated their enthusiastic commitment to the strengthening of women’s business ownership and economic development.

2012 Award Recipients We hope you will join us in honoring our 26th Annual Hall of Fame Award Recipients: 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year

Laura Ricketts

Cassandra Sanford, CEO Kelly Mitchell Group

Director of Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball Chairman of the Board, Chicago Cubs

26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year – WBE Success

Laura Ricketts is a Director and part owner of the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball club as well as Chairman of the Board for Chicago Cubs Charities. Much of her work with the Cubs is focused on community relations, government relations and philanthropy.

Ricketts is involved with several organizations in the Chicago area community and beyond, currently including serving as the Co-Chair of the Democratic National Committee’s LGBT Leadership Council, and serving on the National Leadership Council for Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, a national non-profit organization that litigates, educates and engages in public policy work on behalf of LGBT civil rights.

Richelle Shaw Chief Executive Officer RTS Publishing, LLC As the only female African American public utility owner in the nation, Richelle Shaw’s story of entrepreneurial success is one of true tenacity, hardship and hard work. A featured expert and leading authority on building successful million dollar businesses, Richelle’s expertise comes from building her first business to $36 million, losing it after the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedies, then, successfully rebuilding the company in five months. Since 2007, Richelle has been committed to helping entrepreneurs avoid the mistakes she made in her business, and has successfully mentored over 12,000 men and women, in 98 different industries, through her international coaching programs, and currently serves as the featured Money Expert on FOX5 local affiliate, The MORE Show.

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26th Annual Hall Of Fame Awards Luncheon

Heather Sanderson, President Overture Premiums & Promotions LLC

26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year – Rising Star Danielle Hrzic, President and Co-Founder Gourmet Gorilla

26th Annual Advocacy Awards

National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (NMSDC) Joset B. Wright, President Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Pamela Prince-Eason, President & CEO

26th Annual Corporate Support Award Allstate Insurance Tickets to the 26th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon are available on a first come, first served basis. Please check our website at www.WBDC.org with any questions regarding seating availability or WBDC policies.

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26th Annual Women’s Business & Buyers Mart Thursday, September 20, 2012 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. & 1:45 - 5:00 p.m.

Skyline Ballroom D & E, McCormick Place-West

Sponsored by

Now in its third decade of success, the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart is the oldest business opportunities fair for women business owners in the country.

Featuring over 200 corporate and government entities seeking women as vendors, suppliers or contractors, the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart provides an opportunity for women business owners to enhance the profitability of their business by establishing relationships with corporate and government buyers, and with other women entrepreneurs. The Women’s Business & Buyers Mart also provides women business owners with access to information, resources and contacts to assist with their business needs and boost their bottom line.

We encourage women business owners to display their materials in the popular Resource Center, located inside the exhibit hall.

Microsoft Pavilion – Technology Solutions

Microsoft has a network of dedicated partners specializing in small business technology needs. Our small business focused partners are saving business owners from costly and time consuming mistakes, and can help keep everyone in your company connected, so your team can operate more efficiently and stay on top of new business developments. During the 26th Annual Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference, our WBE Certified Partners will be available for one-on-one technology consultations to discuss new technologies that will make your business more productive and efficient. Please stop by the Microsoft Pavilion at the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart to learn more!

The WBDC is pleased to offer free WiFi and access to laptop computers during this year’s conference at the Cyber Café, located on the Mart floor, courtesy of CDW and Microsoft Corporation. Stay connected to your important business contacts!

Resource Center Located inside the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart • Display of women business owners’ brochures and business cards* • Display of Partner Organizations’ materials • Free copies of sponsoring publications such as: Black EOE Journal; CATALINA; Chicago Sun-Times; Crain’s Chicago Business; Enterprising Women; Hispanic Network Magazine; MBE; Minorities and Women In Business; MBN USA; Professional Woman’s Magazine; Today’s Chicago Woman (TCW); U.S. Veterans Magazine; and Women’s Enterprise USA (WE-USA)

Exhibitor List Corporate Procurement Federal Government Procurement Allstate Insurance Ameren Corporation American Airlines AT&T Avis Budget Group, Inc. Baxter Healthcare Corporation BMO Harris Bank N.A. BP America Cardinal Health Cargill CDW Citibank, N.A. CNA Comcast ComEd Deere & Company Ernst & Young LLP Harley-Davidson Motor Company Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) Hospira Kraft Foods McCain Foods USA Inc. Macy’s Microsoft Corporation Motorola Solutions, Inc. Navistar Nicor Gas The Nielsen Company Northern Trust Northstar Lottery Novation Office Depot OfficeMax PepsiCo, Inc. PNC Rush University Medical Center Southwest Airlines Staples Target Corporation U.S. Bank U.S. Cellular United Airlines The University of Chicago The University of Chicago Medical Center University of Illinois UPS W.W. Grainger, Inc. Walgreens Walmart Wisconsin Energy Corporation/We Energies Wrigley

Business Resources ACCION Chicago Charter One Bank Colonial Funding LLC Microsoft Corporation SCORE: For the Life of Your Business SomerCor 504 Inc. Superior Financial Group (SFG)

Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis & St. Louis IRS EP Great Lakes Area U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command U.S. Department of Energy 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 State Toll Highway Authority Metra Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Navy Pier Office of Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford Public Building Commission of Chicago Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) SMG-McCormick Place

WBE Companies The Bureau of Engraving, Inc. Cedar Concepts Corporation Consolidated Printing Evergreen Supply Company EverLights Grandview Group LLC INTREN, Inc. J&J Exhibitors Service, Inc. J&J Motor Services Kayhan International Kelly Mitchell Group, Inc. My Health and Money LLC National Van Lines, Inc. New Age Transportation, Distribution & Warehousing, Inc. Overture Premiums & Promotions LLC Smead Manufacturing Company Superior Staff Resources Technology Partners, Inc. VIVA USA, Inc.

Resource Organizations Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (CMSDC) HACIA The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce MGPG Events Inc. — The Black Women’s Expo National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Vistage Women In Management Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

Media Chicago Sun-Times Crain’s Chicago Business

Buyers listed are those committed by July 1, 2012. For information on purchasing a booth at the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart, please contact Mia Delano, Conference Director, at 312-853-3477 ext. 450 or by e-mail at mdelano@wbdc.org.

* Registrants are encouraged to bring their brochures and business cards for display at the Resource Center.

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Workshop/ Panel Discussions

Workshop at the conference

Sponsored by Cardinal Health; Ernst & Young LLP; Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis & St. Louis; Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC); Microsoft Corp.; RubinBrown LLP; Target Corporation; The University of Chicago; and The University of Chicago Medical Center

Thursday, September 20, 2012 9:45 - 11:45 a.m.

Breakout Room 180, McCormick Place-West

Launching Your Own Business: From Dream to Reality

Workshop for start-ups

Regional Workshop Prior to conference Teaming for Contracts* For WBEs and established business owners

Are you ready to turn your dream of business ownership into reality?

Before you do, attend this dynamic session featuring inspiring women business owners who will present lessons they wished they had known before starting their enterprises. Gain an insider’s perspective on financing your business as well. This stimulating, interactive session, designed by the collective intelligence of the women business owners in the WBDC community, will provide you with tools, inspiration and guidance to launch a successful business.

Program Facilitator Michelle Kantor Attorney, McDonald Hopkins LLC

Help us build this session today:

Tweet @WBDC with ideas using hashtag #ewc26 or comment on the WBDC Facebook page to get your questions on the agenda.

Contract Connections Thursday, August 2, 2012 Chicago, IL

Host Sponsor: Microsoft

Tuesday, August 7, 2012 Minneapolis, MN

Host Sponsor: Target Corp.

Thursday, August 9, 2012 St. Louis, MO

Host Sponsor: RubinBrown LLP

Thursday, August 16, 2012 Milwaukee, WI

Host Sponsor: Harley-Davidson Motor Company

Teaming for Contracts is designed for women-owned businesses who seek to grow their business and expand their capabilities through partnerships to compete on large contracts. Participants can expect to learn key strategies to help improve their chances of forming successful partnerships with other small, women-owned businesses and primes to win business in the public and private sectors. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and will be presented the benefits of participating in the September event.

Key Discussion Points: • Prime and subcontractor teaming opportunities in the public and private sectors • Various types of partnerships and contractor teaming arrangements • 12 key elements that should be included in teaming agreement contracts • Lessons learned and best practices of forming business partnerships • Panel discussion with regional WBEs that have formed successful teams We hope you will join us for this informative and impactful session.

For more information on facilitator Michelle Kantor, please visit our conference website. * For more information regarding registration for these workshops, please visit www.WBDC.org.

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Thursday, September 20, 2012 9:45 - 11:45 a.m. & 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Skyline Ballroom D & E, McCormick Place-West Located inside the Women’s Business & Buyers Mart

Sponsored by

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is thrilled to be presenting the 10th Annual Contract Connections program at this year’s Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference. The purpose of this program is to establish connections between certified Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) and purchasing decision-makers from corporations and government agencies seeking WBE suppliers for specific opportunities.

Eligible WBEs will be pre-selected by corporate and government buyers for one-on-one meetings that will take place throughout the conference. Last year, over 300 meetings took place.

Please note coordination of this program is all done electronically with notifications being sent to all WBENC Certified WBEs beginning in June. Contracts 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 August 17, 2012. * If you are selected for an appointment you must also register to attend the Conference no later than August 24, 2012. Please pay close attention to the WBDC-Chicago refund policy on the registration page. No registration payments will be refunded if a WBE does not receive an invitation to participate in a Contract Connections meeting. * No-Show Policy: In the event that you do not show-up for a scheduled appointment you and your company will not be allowed to participate in any Contract Connections programs set-up by the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) until October 2013.

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Ask the Experts: Solutions for Your Business

Get Down To business Networking Reception

Thursday, September 20, 2012 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Breakout Room 181A, McCormick Place-West

Thursday, September 20, 2012 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Skyline Ballroom Terrace, McCormick Place-West

Sponsored by Charter One Bank

Marquee Sponsors*

Learn. Network. Grow.

Ask the Experts is a dynamic session designed to help fuel your business growth. This speed business coaching session provides you with access to business experts ready to deliver high-level, cutting-edge strategies to fire up your enterprise.

Premier WBE Sponsors

Learn: gain information from experts ready to help you build your business Network: meet other business owners tackling similar issues Grow: take your business to the next level The room will be set up with round tables that seat 10-12 people.

Each table will be identified by a specific topic and the name of the expert speaking on that topic. Every twenty minutes the facilitator will signal the end of the session. At that time, rotate to another roundtable and seek out another expert.

Facilitator Debbi Lyall Director of Certification, Women’s Business Development Center Roundtable Experts

Boosting Sales Sandler Training, Selloquent Branding Your Business Futura Marketing Inc. Business Growth Through Peer Advisory Groups Vistage Business Start-Up Essentials WBDC Cloud Computing: What You Need to Know Microsoft Corp. and Onshore Technology Group Federal Set-Asides for WomenOwned Small Businesses WBDC Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) High-Impact Public Relations Chris Ruys Communications Insurance 101 Janice Axelrod & Associates Inc.

It’s Everybody’s Business: Going Green Consolidated Printing Company and The Green Mama Legal Issues for Small Businesses Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. Marketing Smarts MGroup Worldwide, Inc. The Measure of Business Success: Tracking Your Profits Osher & Associates, CPA Social Media 101 Janice Bond, Savant Savant Technical Challenges: Run Your Business More Efficiently Microsoft Corp. and VIVA USA

Peruse our magnificent Silent Auction items or bid on our premier Live Auction items, including airfare for two, courtesy of United Airlines, and a laptop and Office10 software, courtesy of CDW and Microsoft Corporation.

Grab a bite to eat, a refreshing drink, and relax after a long day on the tradeshow floor – or kick up your heels on our dance floor!

WBDC Milestones 66,000+ Clients Served 12,300+ Entrepreneurial Training Sessions $81 Million+ Financial Assistance Secured for Clients $900 Million+ Contracts Achieved with Procurement Assistance 1,400+ WBEs Certified Annually 11,000+ Business Counseling Sessions Held

Traditional Financing for Your Business WBDC, Citibank and SomerCor 504 Using Your WBE Status to Sell to Corporations UPS and Overture Premiums & Promotions

Alternative Financing WBDC

Many of the top business owners of today cite networking and relationship building as two of the most important attributes to growing their businesses. Join us at this entertaining, wrap-up Reception where women business owners and corporate and government procurement representatives can connect in a relaxed, business setting.

Stay Connected!

Follow @WBDC and use official conference hashtag #ewc26.

* T he Deluxe Corporation Foundation is serving in an Honorary Sponsorship capacity.

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Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) — www.WBDC.org — is nationally recognized for its advocacy on behalf of small, minority and women-owned businesses, and for its responsive, innovative and effective programs.

Now in its third decade of success, the WBDC serves entrepreneurs at all stages of development, from the home-based child care business to the established growth-oriented technology company, through targeted training; professional business counseling; financial assistance; and access to information and resources. The WBDC has a yearly client service base of approximately 3,500, certifies over 1,400 womenowned businesses annually as WBEs, and more than 4,500 women business owners participate in its events annually.

Established in 1986, the WBDC has assisted over 66,000 women; has helped establish women’s business assistance centers in six states across the nation; and is a nationally-recognized leader in the development of programs and policies affecting women’s economic development and women’s business ownership. The WBDC also offers its programs and services in Spanish to better serve the diverse spectrum of business owners.

The WBDC is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO); is a delegate agency of the City of Chicago, Department of Community Development; a grant recipient of Cook County, Bureau of Community Development; and a certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

As a member of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network, the WBDC is an Illinois Small Business Development Center and an Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Center funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the U.S. Department of Defense, and The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and is a proud partner of many corporations, foundations and contributors who help make our dreams a reality.

WBDC Board of Directors Chairperson Debra Jennings-Johnson, Director, Supplier Diversity, BP America, Inc.

Audit Committee Chair Norma Lauder, Director, MS Tax Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Co-Presidents Hedy M. Ratner, Co-President, Women’s Business Development Center S. Carol Dougal, Co-President, Women’s Business Development Center

Members Laurel G. Bellows, Principal, The Bellows Group P.C. Michelle Blaise, VP Engineering & Project Management, ComEd Alison Chung, President, TeamWerks Risa R. Davis, Area Manager, Commercial Banking Group, Citibank Illinois Emilia DiMenco, Chief Operating Officer, Women’s Business Development Center Jeanne Mandoza, Director of Marketing for Illinois, United Parcel Service (UPS) Arabel Alva Rosales, President, AAR & Associates, Ltd. Shelley Stern, Community Outreach Director, Central and Southeast Regions, Microsoft Corporation

Vice Chairperson Linda Chaplik Harris, Partner, SNR Denton Secretary Pam McDonough, CEO, DeAngelo/ McDonough Construction Management Company Treasurer Sandra Rand, Former Supplier Diversity Manager, United Airlines

Ex-Officio Members Mellody Hobson, President, Ariel Investments, LLC and Chairman, Ariel Mutual Funds Board of Trustees Terry Savage, Financial Analyst and President, Terry Savage Productions, Ltd. Pamela B. Strobel

26th ANNUAL Women’s Business & Buyers Mart

Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference September 20, 2012 McCormick Place-West Chicago, Illinois VIP Tables For your convenience, please register online at www.WBDC.org.

Tables include signage and seat 10 people. Please make checks payable to the WBDC and mail with registration form to the address below.

Company Information please print clearly or type



$1,500 — 26th Annual Women’s Forum Breakfast

name _ _________________________________________________________



$1,500 — 26th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon

Title ___________________________________________________________ Company Name _ _______________________________________________

Check Amount _ _______________________________________________

Company Address _____________________________________________

Credit Card Amount _ _________________________________________

City ____________________________________________________________

 American Express  Visa

STATE _ ____________________________

ZIP ______________________

Business Telephone ( ________ ) ________________________________ Evening Telephone ( ________ ) _________________________________ Type of Business

 Manufacturing

 Transportation

 Technology

 Retail

 Wholesale

 Construction

 Service

 Other: _________________________

Years in Business _____________________________________________

 MasterCard  Diners Club

 Discover

Card Number __________________________________________________ Expiration Date _________________________________________________ Signature _____________________________________________________ To fax your registration, please complete this form, including credit card information, and fax to the WBDC at 312-853-0145. We cannot accept faxed registration without credit card information.

McCormick Place-West facilities are handicapped accessible. The WBDC is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization; all contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

# of Employees (including owner) _________________________________

Conference Policies & Disclaimer

Prior participation with the WBDC? please check all that apply:

Tickets to the 26th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon are available on a first come, first served basis. Please check our website at www.WBDC.org for questions regarding seating availability or WBDC policies.

 Counseling

 Workshops

 Conference

 Loans

 WBE Certification  Procurement Assistance

 Other: _________________________

Registration Privacy Policy The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) protects the privacy of its clients and participants in its annual events. The WBDC will not share the contact information of its conference participants with any outside party.

Cost  $250 — Pre-Registration* for entire event

Refund Policy A full refund will be given through July 31, 2012. After July 31, 2012 all registration, including no-shows, are subject to the full registration fee.

(includes meals)

 $225 — Special WBE and Partner Organization Discounted Price** for entire event (includes meals)  $125 — Women’s Business & Buyers Mart Only Ticket (no meals or reception participation)

 $125 — Women’s Forum Breakfast Only Ticket  $125 — 26th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon Only Ticket*** * $300 — Registration after September 1, 2012 and at the door. This fee may not include entry to the 26th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon. **For a list of 2012 Partner Organizations, please call 312-853-3477, ext. 240. *** T ickets to the 26th Annual Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon are available on a first come, first served basis. Please check our website at www.WBDC.org with questions regarding seating availability or WBDC policies.

Photo and WBDC Property Rights Disclaimer By registering for this conference, and in consideration for my admission to the conference, and other valuable consideration, receipt of which is acknowledged, I give the WBDC permission to use photographs, videotapes, film and recording in non-commercial publications and presentations that support the WBDC. In giving this consent, I release the WBDC, their agents and assigns from any liability for any violation of any personal property rights which I might have in connection with such materials and waive any right to approve accompanying written or narrative material. I represent that I am of full legal age.

Submission of this registration form indicates you have read, understand and agree to these policies.

For more information regarding registration and general conference information, please visit our website or contact: Mia M. Delano Entrepreneurial Woman’s Conference Women’s Business Development Center 8 S. Michigan Avenue, 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60606 312-853-3477, ext. 450 | Fax: 312-853-0145 E-mail: mdelano@wbdc.org