Monday's recap

Things are heating up in Baltimore (and I don't just mean the weather ... although it is close to 100 degrees today!)

Yesterday was busy, hot and humid (95 plus in the shade). We started our day overlooking the Baltimore harbour in the WTC. DFAIT hosted a Canadian delegation session for about 60 wbo's from across Canada. Although Atlantic Canada had strength in numbers for our region, we had the opportunity to sit and get to know Caroline Lai, CEO of Dowster Ltd, the only participant from Alberta. 

 

Theresa Williams, Atwood Consulting, introduced us to her US buddy, Beverly White, President of BKW Transformation Group. Theresa and Beverly both commented how it seemed they had known each other forever although they had just met a couple of hours earlier. Their similar businesses made for a lot of discussion and great contacts for both of them in the US and Canada. 

 

Joy Playford, BDC, reminded the group the answer to HOW? is YES! and provided each of us with an "ink the deal" pen. BDC will be onsite for the conference in case women business owners (wbo's) need to discuss financing options to be able to access global supply chains and international markets. 

 

Judy Brandt, Summit Insight, provided a lively presentation on the opportunities for selling to the US government. This presented opportunities for several of our wbo's and we will definitely be following up with this information. The last order of the day was a brief introduction of everyone in the room. it is amazing how diverse our wbo's businesses are and the strength we have in numbers. To date, there are 80 certified wbo's in Canada (Judith Richardson being our first in NS!!!) and 40 in process.

WBENC briefing session was very interesting. Our first introduction to Linda Denny, President and CEO of WBENC. I got a chance to meet with Linda at the International Reception and thanked her for making the Atlantic Canadian delegation feel so special and all of her and her staff's help leading up to the conference.

International reception - even thought it was hovering around 95f, the deck of the USS Constellation was abuzz with conversation from international delegates from Canada, UK, China and India. The Indian delegation was so delightful and the twelve delegates represented women business owners in the education, technical and science sectors. I was pleased to meet Archana Bhatnagar, President, Mahakaushal Association of Women Entrepreneurs, Jabalpur, India www.maweindia.com and Chari of Model Industrial Training Institute the President of their local women business organization.

The conference is a great networking opportunity and we are here to build relationships that will lead to future business opportunities. The upcoming three days will give us major exposure to national corporations wanting to do business with wbo's!