Welcome to the Fall edition of About Women's Business! The highlight of our first quarter was our successful 23rd Annual Entrepreneurial Woman's Conference, held September 16 at Navy Pier.  This year's conference was an exciting and high energy day full of resources, networking and business opportunities, inspiration and recognition of wonderful women.  Many of you attended the conference, and we hope that you found it helpful to you.  Read more conference highlights below.
 
Here at the Women's Business Development Center we were also greatly disappointed by Chicago's loss in the bid for the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  We were a member of the Chicago 2016 committee, and like many in the Chicago area, we knew these games would be a unique once-in-a-lifetime economic and community development opportunity for Chicago companies and job seekers. 
 
However, we are confident that the good work begun in preparing for the Chicago 2016 bid will continue.  We look forward to continued outreach to certify more women- and minority-owned businesses and ongoing collaboration with partners committed to the training and development of women- and minority-owned businesses.  We also join with others around the world in congratulating Rio de Janeiro in a successful 2016 Olympic bid and anticipating the winter Olympic Games in Vancouver in 2010.
 
As we head into the upcoming holiday season, we wish you happiness and health for yourself, your family and your business.

 

Warm wishes,
Hedy Ratner & Carol Dougal
WBDC Co-Presidents