New Southwest Women’s business WORKS! conveys success

For 12 years, the Women’s BusinessCouncil – Southwest has hostedan annual trade fair open to sustainingand women’s business enterprisemembers and others interested inattending the two-day event. These 12years have brought much success forattendees, but through their suggestions,the WBCS decided to plan a newand improved event, called SouthwestWomen’s businessWORKS!WBE Co-Chair Royalyn Reid, president,Consumer & Market Insights, Inc.,and Corporate Co-Chair Mike Warrick,minority/women’s business development,Texas Instruments, and the eventcommittee worked long hours to makethis year’s event unlike any other tradefair in town. During the trade fair, heldApril 9, Reid, Warrick and everyoneinvolved watched their hard work payoff as 535 people walked through thedoors of the Arlington ConventionCenter in Arlington,Texas.

To two-day event began April 8 withthe businessWORKS! Kickoff Receptionheld at Cacharel’s restaurant in Arlington.The reception, sponsored by Oncor andLockheed Martin, gave WBCS sustainingmembers a chance to meet newly certifiedWBE members as well as WBCSregional members. On April 9, the funbegan with a breakfast sponsored byWBEs Business Interiors, Consumer &Market Insights, Icon Information Consultants,The TransSynergy Group, TheWarrior Group and Wynne Sedan &Limousine Group. Speaking at the breakfastwas Becky Miller,mayor of Carrollton,Texas, who discussed “The Importance ofWomen Running for Elected Office andRunning the Corporate Office.”Following the breakfast, Alcatel-Lucent and MDI sponsored a ribbon-cuttingceremony before entering theexclusive WBE Showcase inside theConvention Center.The floor was filledwith booths showcasing 100 WBEs,organized by industry, who enthusiasticallyshared their company’s informationwith sustaining members.The WBEShowcase, conducted for three hours,gave sustaining members an opportunityto visit the exhibiting WBEs and learnwhat business they have to offer.

The businessWORKS! luncheon, heldafter the showcase, was sponsored byTexas Instruments and ExxonMobil.Nita Wiggins, sports announcer for Fox TV-4, was themistress of ceremonies for the event and DiannaBooher was the luncheon speaker. Booher, a communicationsexpert and author, addressed “10 CommunicationStrategies Every Leader Needs to Know.” Duringher speech, she entertained luncheon guests withvideos and examples of the importance of clear communication.

WBCS Board Chair Larry Caldwell, vicepresident of purchasing, PepsiCo, gave remarks; andWBCS President Debbie Hurst presented co-chairs Reidand Warrick with a special gift.The WBCS also paid avery special tribute to JCPenney Senior Vice President,Controller and Chief Procurement Officer Bill Alcorn,who is retiring.Alcorn received a well-deserved standingovation for his years of hard work and dedication towomen’s business development.

The event continued with businessWORKS!Mixer, with surprise giveaways provided by sponsorsFrito-Lay and Pinnacle Technical Resources.Themixer was arranged as an interactive forum forWBEs and sustaining members to network witheach other and many had made appointments duringthe morning showcase. After the mixer, guestsenjoyed a cocktail reception and made their finalbids on the wonderful silent auction items that weredisplayed throughout the day. Hats off to the WBCSon a great event.Women’s Enterprise looks forwardto covering many more years of Southwest Women’sbusinessWORKS!