
Events
2018 National Women's Business Conference Agenda
*The conference agenda is subject to change
Sunday, September 23, 2018 |
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6:30 am |
Yoga at the Park, sponsored by Athleta - meet in the lobby at 6:15, Bring towel if possible |
NAWBO Annual Membership Meeting - Open for All |
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8:30 am |
Breakfast |
9:00 - 9:30 am |
Annual Meeting - State of NAWBO |
9:30 -10:30 am |
Creating Leaders for a World of Change: Past Presidents Panel &HR5050 Anniversary Moderator: Nina Roque, Executive Director of the National Women's Business Council Panelists: Kathleen Diamond, Dr. Terry Neese, and Virginia Littlejohn |
10:30 - 10:45 am |
Morning Break |
10:45 - 11:30 am |
Leadership General Session: NAWBO Institute presents the WBOs of the Sharapova Women's Entrepreneur Program Moderator: Loreen Gilbert, Institute Board Chair Sharapova WBOs: Denise Doczy-DeLong, Reema Dutt,Dusty Folwarczny, Deanna Montrose, Kelly Parthen, Camille Vizzavona, and Kimmi Wernli |
11:30 -12:20 pm |
NAWBO Updates and Chapter Awards |
12:20 - 12:35 pm |
Break |
12:45 - 2:30 pm | Lunch |
12:45 - 2:30 pm |
Best Practices Round Table Discussions |
1:30 - 2:30 pm |
Ensuring the Legacy - through Leadership, Continuity and Compliance You are a key leader of your NAWBO Chapter -- a not-for-profit corporation. This workshop covers tips, tools and strategies to promote effectiveness, make the job easier, and provide resources that support you. (Presidents/President elects-Immediate Past Presidents) At least one from each chapter should attend |
2:30 - 5:30 pm |
Visit Local Women-Owned Businesses in Spokane |
5:30 pm |
Transportation to Reception starts to Historic Davenport Hotel (10 minute walk) |
6:00 - 8:00 pm |
Annual Membership Reception - hosted by Bank of America |
Monday, September 24, 2018 |
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6:30 - 7:30 am |
City Power Walk - Centennial Trail (2.2 miles) Meet in the lobby of the Davenport Grand. The guided walk follows the Spokane River's scenic viewpoints across the walking bridge, the tree lined Gonzaga University Campus and into Riverfront Park, the former site of the 1974 World’s Fair. Return through the Sculpture Walk through the park, see the “World’s Largest Red Radio Flyer”. |
8:00 - 9:00 am |
Breakfast in Exhibit Hall |
8:00 - 9:00 am |
First Time Attendee Meet and Greet in Room 102AD - sponsored by UPS - Lead by Tara Wear Networking in the Exhibit Hall "I am Curious" activity |
9:00 - 10:45 am |
MORNING GENERAL SESSION Creative Living without Fear: Elizabeth Gilbert Grand Ballroom, The Davenport Grand Ten years ago, Gilbert captivated the world with her powerful and transformative memoir Eat, Pray, Love, encouraging millions of readers to make changes, large and small, in their own lives. In the ensuing decade, people worldwide have sought further advice from Gilbert on how to lead a bold and inspired life and she has dedicated herself to exploring the mysteries of creativity and courage. Out of this period of investigation Gilbert has written a brilliant nonfiction treatise, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, in which the author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. Sponsored by Bank of America |
10:45 - 11:30 am | Networking in the Exhibit Hall |
10:45 - 11:30 am |
Dell Workshop The session will cover productivity and security highlights of Windows and MS Office. We will showcase new features that will enhance how you work and highlight the improvements in the software suites. Below are some of the features that we will showcase:
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11:30 - 12:30 pm |
Breakout Sessions, The Convention Center Track 1: “NAWBO Success Opportunity” From the first day you joined NAWBO, you made the choice to tap into a community of thousands of leaders, visionaries, innovators and trailblazers—of all sectors, sizes and stages of growth. But are you truly tapping into all that NAWBO has to offer you? Learn from our panelist about their NAWBO journey and how this organization has impacted them personally and professionally. Moderator: Mary Cravets, NAWBO Central Coast California Panelists: Noreen Sumpter, NAWBO NYC, Michelle DeClerck, NAWBO Iowa, Patty DeDominic, NAWBO Santa Barbara, and Deborah Snyder, NAWBO
Track 2: “Daring Leadership" Today, companies and individuals face a plethora of productivity challenges, in fact 3 out of 4 American workers describe their work as stressful. Entrepreneurs are especially susceptible if they have employees. Repetitive work cycles diminish creativity & initiative in both employers and employees. This disconnect has financial implications that are staggering. In this session, learn how to enhance your leadership skills by using NATURE and how being in nature will increase revenues, health, happiness and hope…all which increase your companies productivity and bottom line. Presented by Janet Herrick
Track 3: “Savvy Solopreneur” A business overflowing with clients is something every woman business owner dreams of. But how do you get there? In this session featuring a panel of business development experts, you’ll learn smart tactics, like generating the best business referrals, to help you build and scale your business to where you want it.
Referrals Without Asking with Stacey Brown Randall Moderated by Amy Wilson, Frost Brown Todd Sponsored by Frost Brown Todd
Track 4: “Small-Medium Business Breakthrough” A key lesson in business ownership is knowing where your business is in its lifecycle, whether it’s just starting to turn a great idea into a viable business, maintaining an edge as an established company or taking a mature business to the next level. This session will help you identify your business’ position in the lifecycle and what steps to take and mistakes to avoid as you continue growing your enterprise. Presented by Roby Schapira, Wells Fargo Small Business Relationship Banking and Susan Perreault, Washington Women’s Business Center Sponsored by Wells Fargo |
12:45 - 2:45 pm |
LUNCH GENERAL SESSION Doctors have long pondered the connection between our mental and physical health. Today, it’s widely believed there is a powerful mind-body connection through which emotional, mental, social, spiritual and behavioral factors can directly affect our overall well being. Tap into the expertise and experiences of this amazing panel as they discuss how taking care of ourselves physically and emotionally benefits our success as leaders and business owners. Panelists include an executive who re-evaluated her life after surviving cancer as well as a thought leader on women entrepreneurs and depression. Panelists: Carolyn Rodz, Adreanna Limbach and Jill Kerrigan |
3:00 - 5:00 pm |
Happy Hour & Opportunity Drawing in the Exhibit Hall
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5:30 pm |
Transportation starts to the Fox Theater |
6:00 - 8:30 pm |
Opening Reception at the Fox Theater |
8:30 - 10:00 pm |
After Party with Cash Bar |
Tuesday, September 25, 2018 |
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6:30 - 7:30 am |
Power City Walk - Spokane Falls and Historic Downtown Spokane (1.5 miles, stairs included) Meet in the lobby of the Davenport Grand. The guided walk begins at the Sculpture Walk and passes the 1909 Looff Carrousel, Ice Ribbon and sculpture “The Joy of Running” to Huntington Park. Stairs down provide an up-close look at the lower Spokane Falls. Take the stairs back up and cross the river into downtown to enjoy the beauty of shops and restaurants built after the “Great Fire of 1889”. |
8:00 - 9:00 am |
Breakfast in Exhibit Hall |
8:30 - 9:15 am |
Dell Workshop The session will cover productivity and security highlights of Windows and MS Office. We will showcase new features that will enhance how you work and highlight the improvements in the software suites. Below are some of the features that we will showcase:
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9:00 - 10:00 am |
Exhibit Hall Experience
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10:00 - 11:00 am |
Breakout Sessions Track 1: “NAWBO Success Opportunity” One of the most powerful things we have as women business owners is our voice. Almost every woman business owner at some point has struggled with access to the capital she needs to start or scale her business. This session will bring the two together, illustrating the role advocacy has in access to capital and allowing you to hear from experts in the private and public sectors about how you can use your voice to advocate for access to capital. Moderated by Rendi Bell, UPS Sponsored by UPS
Track 2: “Daring Leadership” Public speaking isn’t just about giving a formal speech or presentation - it happens every time you pick up the phone or meet with a client or investor. This critical leadership skill will help you build relationships, win business, and ultimately grow your company. In this session, led by a world-renowned public speaking expert and former opera singer, you will learn practical techniques that you can immediately apply to speak with confidence and authenticity in any situation. Sponsored and Presented by Allison Shapira, CEO, Global Public Speaking LLC
Track 3: “Savvy Solopreneur” Technology can be critical to growing your business. However, with so many tools available today, from website and e-mail marketing platforms to social media channels, it’s hard to know where to invest your time and budget for the best results. This session will explore the categories of low cost or free digital marketing tools available and how different types of businesses can apply those tools most effectively, so that you can walk out with a realistic action plan to get started on growing your business online. We will explore using websites, email marketing, SEO and listing sites and social media to help your customers find your business online. Presented by Heidi Gibson Sponsored by GoDaddy
Track 4: “Small-Medium Business Breakthrough” There are fewer job seekers than there are jobs to fill. This means, more than ever before, you’ve got to show up and compete for the person you want to hire. And the war for talent doesn’t end when you’ve hired someone…it’s just beginning. Attend this session to learn how to position your company to get the employee you want − and keep them.
Presented by Kiran Contractor and Betsy Linder Sponsored by ADP |
11:00 - 12:00 pm | Networking in Exhibit Hall |
12:00 - 2:00 pm |
LUNCHEON GENERAL SESSION Trying to define your purpose as a professional woman can be daunting. But identifying what fuels you, and finding your authentic voice, can be a powerful tool for success, and more importantly, significance in the world. In this session, SoulPancake CEO Shabnam Mogharabi will share insights into what it means to identify a purpose, and offer tips for how to live an authentic, joyful, grateful life that takes you and your team to the next level. Sponsored by Wells Fargo |
2:00 - 3:00 pm | Coffee & Conversation in the Exhibit Hall NAWBO Institute Opportunity Drawing |
3:00-4:00 pm |
Breakout Sessions Track 1: “NAWBO Success Opportunity” The global economy is the midst of a significant transformation in the nature of work, as automation, artificial intelligence, and other new technologies take on more and more of the tasks once done by humans. In addition, the workforce has never been so generationally diverse. We are living longer and staying healthy for longer, enabling workers in their 60s, 70s, and 80s to continue contributing to the workforce and the economy. Beyond the value of experience, these modern elders bring interdisciplinary skills and perspectives that can complement younger members of the team. Consider that 70% of ventures established by senior entrepreneurs are still in operation after five years compared to just 28% of enterprises established by younger entrepreneurs. How will these forces shape the way you operate and grow your business? Join us for a lively discussion with AARP, public policy experts, & business leaders on how these trends will require new ways of living and working well, and to challenge persistent stereotypes of older workers. Moderated by Heather Tinsley, AARP
Track 2: “Daring Leadership” How do we live an empowered life? One that’s exciting and connected to our life’s purpose? The answer is FLOW. Understanding when you and your employees are out of alignment and knowing what to do about it is key to transforming your business (and your experience of running it). Join Mina as she shows you how to use flow to propel both your professional and personal growth in order to live your best life. Key Takeaways:
Presented by Mina Fies
Track 3: “Savvy Solopreneur” Facebook’s Boost Your Business presentations provide businesses around the country with the most up-to-date tools, insights, and best practices for growing your business on Facebook and Instagram. This presentation will show you what’s possible on Facebook to help take your business to the next level. Areas to be covered during the presentation include: Tools you can use: Learn about the tools available (Business Pages, Messenger, Instagram and more!) to help you connect with customers, manage your digital presence, and grow your business. Ads you can create: Whether you want to increase conversions on your website, drive more people into your store, build awareness of your brand, or something else – advertising on Facebook and Instagram can help you achieve your unique business goals. Ways to be creative: Behind every business is a story. Learn how to tell yours on Facebook and Instagram with just a phone, creative apps, and great lighting! Every business can create beautiful content and we'll show you how. Presented by Ashley Watanabe, Facebook Sponsored by Facebook
Track 4: “Small-Medium Business Breakthrough” There’s nothing more inspiring to women business owners than hearing stories of other women who have successfully overcome challenges to take their businesses to the next level. This session will feature several amazing women business owners who have reached and gone beyond the million-dollar level. Moderator: Pamela West, Bank of America Sponsored by Bank of America and featuring 2018 Woman Business Owner of the Year finalists |
5:30 - 6:00 pm | Cocktail Reception/Photo Ops |
6:00 - 8:30 pm |
Awards Gala Featuring 2018 Woman Business Owner of the Year Finalists |
Presenting Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor

Silver Sponsors






Bronze Sponsors
Opening Reception Sponsors
Millennium Sponsor
Turquoise Sponsor
In-Kind Sponsors
Circle Sponsor
Media Partners




Click here for Cancellation Policy.