Agenda
This is the agenda for the 2010 Women's Business Conference. Look for the 2011 agenda in early 2011.
Use the Accessible Agenda if you are using a screen reader or other accessibility tool.
In addition to the sessions in our four tracks, we also offer one-on-one business counseling. |
Time |
Track 1
Business Basics |
Track 2
Advanced Business |
Track 3
Trends in Business |
Track 4
Roundtables |
Registration
7:30 am
8:15 am |
Attendee Registration, Exhibitor Hall Open |
Morning Keynote Address
8:15 am
8:45 am |
 By: Sherri Yukel, Big Dot Of HappinessSince founding Big Dot of Happiness, as an online "event party company" in 1999, Sherri Yukel has successfully turned a hobby into a thriving business and national brand. Learn Yukel’s three main points on how to reach your big dreams with "spunkitudinality".
1. Love What You Do!
2. Fail Forward.
3. Be Remarkable!
Remember to always dream big and never do anything half way, and you will reach your goals with "spunkitudinality".
|
8:45 am
9:00 am |
Networking Break, Exhibitor Hall Open |
Session 1
9:00 am
10:00 am |
- Planned, Purposeful & Productive Networking
- By: Heather Rothbauer-Wanish, Feather Communications
|
- Beyond Sales Effectiveness: Creating Sales-Winning Relationships
- By: Karen Kohler, CVTC
|
- Panel Discussion: Balancing Work & Home
- By:
- Mindy Dale, Weld, Riley Prenn & Ricci
- Melinda Duncan, The Wedding Genie
- Nancy Rothwell, Straighten-Up Organizing
|
- Roundtable: Child Care
- Moderated by:
- Julie Brunner, Eau Claire County
- Carla Sumner, Eau Claire County
|
10:00 am
10:30 am |
Networking Break, Exhibitor Hall Open |
Session 2
10:30 am
11:30 am |
- Record Keeping 101
- By: Evlyn Carlile, Simple Office Solutions
|
- New Concepts in Business Exit Strategies
- By:
- David Czysz, Principal Financial
|
- Business Mailing & Shipping
- By:
- Kelly Crawford, Advanced Mail
- Sue McInnis, US Postal Service
|
- Roundtable: Food Industry
- Moderated by:
Erin Nutter, Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
|
11:30 am
12:30 pm |
Lunch Provided in Exhibitor Hall, Networking Break, Exhibitor Hall Open |
Afternoon Keynote Address
12:30 pm
1:30 pm
|
Women and Wisconsin's Green Economy
By: State Representative Kristen Dexter, 68th Assembly District
From developing new products to adopting sustainable business practices to identifying alternative fuel sources, being "green" is more than just a trendy topic for today's entrepreneur. In fact, according to State Representative, Kristen Dexter, green jobs and the new economy can help make economic security a reality for generations of women workers and entrepreneurs - women from a wide variety of backgrounds, including single mothers, older women, women of color and women veterans.
Dexter will be detailing Wisconsin's new green economy by providing an overview of current initiatives within the state legislature and their potential ramifications for business women and entrepreneurs.
|
Session 3
1:30 pm
2:30 pm |
- 10 Steps For Maximizing the Power of Your Brand
- By: Linda Pophal, Strategic Communications
|
- Mixing a New Media Cocktail: Leveraging Traditional And New Promotional Techniques (To Taste)
- By:
- Nick Meyer, Volume One
- Mike Paulus, Volume One
|
- Panel Discussion: Surviving an Economic Downturn
- By:
- Chris Brooke, Associated Bank
- Clara Nohre, Nohre & Co.
- Mary Trimmier, Small Business Administration
|
- Roundtable: Fitness & Wellness Industry
- Moderated by:
Cheri Dostal, Evolve Wellness
|
2:30 pm
3:00 pm |
Networking Break, Exhibitor Hall Open |
3:00 pm
3:30 pm |
Exhibitors draw for and present Door Prizes |
Session 4
3:30 pm
4:30 pm |
- Panel Discussion: Taking the First Steps
- Featuring:
- Jim Mishefske, UWEC SBDC
- Barb Rolland, SCORE
- Renee Walz, WD-WBC
|
- Panel Discussion: Growing Business Success Stories
- Featuring:
- Michelle Lovelien, The Living Room
- Deb Shefchik, Shefchik Builders
- Denise Wurtzel, Williams Diamond Center
|
- Panel Discussion: Buy Local
- Featuring:
- Lorraine Dixon, Cadeaux
- Ann Lee, Viking Brewery
- Scott Zellmer, Hahn's Market
|
- Roundtable: Arts & Crafts
- Moderated by:
Laurie Bieze, Bieze Sculpture
|
Happy Hour
4:30 pm
later |
Happy Hour Networking for all attendees, exhibitors, presenters and WBC staff. |
In this interactive workshop, you will learn and practice skills that will allow you to plan ahead and purposefully place yourself in situations where business can follow.
(more info...)
Strong interpersonal communication skills are a proven factor in creating long-term customer relations. This session will actively involve participants in the learning process by using personal assessment, interactive dialogue, and group discussion.
(more info...)
Hear from three local business women and learn tips on how to successfully manage the delicate relationship between a healthy balance between work, home and family.
(more info...)
- Mindy Dale is an attorney with Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci in Eau Claire, WI. She specializes in public and private sector management labor law, employment law, and municipal, school, and administrative law.
(more info about Mindy Dale...)
- Melinda Duncan is a Certified Wedding Planner.
(more info about Melinda Duncan...)
- Nancy Rothwell is the owner of Straighten-Up Organizing. Founded in 2002, Nancy helps people organize their lives. A former Social Worker for Nebraska's Child Protective Services, she is s a member of the NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers).
(more info about Nancy Rothwell...)
Meet with child care certification experts and area child care professionals to discuss the process of becoming certified or licensed and the benefits this yields.
(more info...)
- Julie Brunner is the Child Care Coordinator for Eau Claire County, and oversees the Wisconsin Shares payment system.
(more info about Julie Brunner...)
- Carla Sumner has worked for the Eau Claire County Department of Human Services for 23 years and specifically in the role as Child Care Coordinator for the last four years.
(more info about Carla Sumner...)
Record Keeping 101 will cover how to set up a record keeping system that will help you make appropriate business decisions and during tax season.
(more info...)
- Evlyn Carlile is the owner of Simple Office Solutions and has over 25 years of experience in helping beginning entrepreneurs how to keep and use their financial information in the daily operation of their business.
(more info about Evlyn Carlile...)
Learn what you can do today to prepare for the future, including a seven step process to successful succession and exit planning.
(more info...)
- David Czysz is a Financial Advisor for The Principal, David works with individuals and businesses throughout northwest and central Wisconsin helping them achieve fiscal success.
(more info about David Czysz...)
This session will provide you with the expertise you need to accomplish all of your business mailing and shipping goals.
(more info...)
Discuss the regulations of the food industry with other local food industry professionals.
(more info...)
- Erin Nutter is a Food Safety Supervisor with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. With over 23 years of experience, Erin currently supervises eight inspectors who license and inspect a myriad of food-industry establishments.
(more info about Erin Nutter...)
This session will provide a step-by-step process for building a strong brand - and will bust some common myths and mispercpetions along the way.
(more info...)
- Linda Pophal is the owner of Strategic Communications, LLC, a marketing/communication consultancy in Chippewa Falls. She has an extensive background in marketing, corporate communications and employee relations.
(more info about Linda Pophal...)
Learn practical and engaging ways to mix web sites and social networking with traditional marketing media to effectively promote just about anything.
(more info...)
Learn how to develop a strategy that will ultimately position your business to survive or even thrive in an economic downturn.
(more info...)
Meet with other area professionals in this industry to discuss cooperative marketing and share best practices.
(more info...)
- Cheri Dostal is a certified Personal Trainer with 10 years of experience in the fitness industry. She owns her own business - Evolve Wellness - which offers customized in-home personal training services.
(more info about Cheri Dostal...)
Discussion with representatives from SCORE, the Small Business Development Center and the Western Dairyland Business Center on how to put your best foot forward while avoiding common pitfalls in launching a small business.
(more info...)
Learn how three local businesses overcame adversity and grew to achieve success and recognition locally and beyond.
(more info...)
Learn why buying local not only makes sense for the sustainability of your business but for your entire community.
(more info...)
- Lorraine Dixon is the owner of Cadeaux, a gift boutique in downtown Eau Claire which opened in 2008. Her background is in design and marketing, and she has previously owned and ran a service-based business in Ontario, Canada.
(more info about Lorraine Dixon...)
- Ann Lee is the co-owner and operator of Viking Brewing Company, a microbrewery and Locally Wisconsin Made, a consignment store that exclusively sells local products. Both businesses are located in Dallas, Wisconsin.
(more info about Ann Lee...)
- Scott Zellmer is the Store manager and principal buyer for Hahn's Market in Eau Claire, WI. He has been involved in the specialty food and grocery business since 1993.
(more info about Scott Zellmer...)
Meet with local artists to discuss the business of art - branding yourself, marketing your product and making the sale to support you and your family.
(more info...)
One-On-One Counseling
- Sign-up for 60 minutes of individualized counseling on General Business Planning during Sessions 1, 2, 3 or 4. Counseling will be provided by SCORE, UWEC Small Business Development Center, and Western Dairyland Women's Business Center.
Attendees may request a counseling session during the registration process. Each attendee is allowed only one counseling session during the Conference.
Happy Hour Networking
- Join us in Brewski's Pub & Grill for a relaxing network session - all attendees, exhibitors, presenters and WBC staff are invited!
