October 19, 2009 – ARDMORE TO HOST WOMEN’S BIZ SYMPOSIUM

DURANT – The Women’s Business Center (WBC) of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, a Durant-based economic development organization, has scheduled its Annual Women’s Biz Symposium to be held Thursday, October 29, 2009 at the Ardmore Convention Center,

Keynote speaker for the event is Sally Baskey, one of the most compelling speakers on the platform today. Have you ever had the feeling that your life is out of control? Life is full of experiences that make us happy, sad, frustrated, mad…..and sometimes can put us “over the edge.” We learn as we get older that we have little control over our circumstances but we have total control over the way we react to them. Join Sally as she navigates through life using humor to deal with change. Her motivational program, entitled “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.

The symposium will feature acknowledged experts in their fields presenting topics vital for small businesses and entrepreneurs, including: “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 wanting to showcase their business have the opportunity to reserve a booth in the expo area to sell and promote their products or services. Booth space is limited but still available. All attendees will enjoy the expo area, attend the opening session with the keynote speaker, and listen to other speakers on critical issues. A style show featuring clothes from area businesses and models from corporate sponsors will be presented at lunch. Attendees will get more motivation and inspiration from Sally Baskey as she again takes the stage at lunch. As always there is the opportunity to network with sponsors, exhibitors and symposium attendees.

“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 .

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