A Power Lunch With GM's Bo Anderson May Be in Your Future

7th Annual Michigan Women's Business Conference & Expo Offers That and More to Women Business Owners

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 5 -- Imagine sitting across the table from Bo Anderson, General Motors vice president of global purchasing and supply chain, sharing lunch. That's exactly what happened to Amanda Miller, a business owner who attended the Michigan Women's Business Conference & Expo last year.

This year, the 7th Annual Michigan Women's Business Conference & Expo takes place October 18 and 19 at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. Once again, outstanding opportunities to lunch with Detroit's power brokers will be up for auction to certified Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) owners attending. In addition to Anderson, VP of one of the world's largest and most successful companies, six other influential executives have donated their lunch time: Florine Mark of Weight Watchers, Tony Brown of Ford Motor Company, Alistair Hirst of Kellogg Company, Sandra E. Pierce from Charter One Bank and Ben Maibach III, with Barton Malow.

All of the executives have graciously agreed to participate in the Power Lunch auction to help raise funds for the Michigan Women's Business Council (MWBC), a nonprofit organization that supports women-owned businesses. Proceeds are earmarked to fund education and development programs and services in support of women who are starting businesses.

After the auction, arrangements are made for the highest bidders to meet with their selected executive for their coveted meal.

According to last year's Power Lunch winner Amanda Miller, president of Courtesy Transfer, "Getting a chance to spend time one-on-one with Bo Anderson was an opportunity of a lifetime. Just that short time with him gave me great insight and information that helped my business immensely."

Cathy Denardo, owner of United Manufacturing Network and 2005 Power Lunch winner, explained, "After a successful power lunch with Bo Anderson, I came away with a quiet confidence, knowing that I could handle any business opportunity that comes my way." She also attributed the Power Lunch, combined with her hard work, to the acquisition of her first GM contract.

When asked his thoughts on the Power Lunch, Bo Anderson said, "I am honored when I meet all the women at this conference, who -- through their hard work and vision -- are achieving their goals." He added, "I'm pleased to once again take part in the Power Lunch. It's a great opportunity for me to meet with and mentor women business owners and help them to succeed."

"These lunches are important because they give women business owners access to the decision-makers at the highest levels who can best guide them on doing business with their companies," says Melanie Duquesnel, MWBC event committee chair and board president.

"The Power Lunch is just one of many opportunities at this year's event," explained Yodit Mesfin Johnson, manager of the Michigan Women's Marketplace, a division of the MWBC. "The Marketplace Boutique sponsored by LaSalle Bank will showcase the brightest and best of smaller, women-owned product and service providers. There also is a special area within the expo hall dedicated to emerging businesses."

For two days there will be workshops, a business forum and networking opportunities, along with special receptions and dinner. Keynote speakers are two highly respected women authors: Cary J. Broussard, who wrote From Cinderella to CEO: How to Master the 10 Lessons of Fairy Tales to Transform Your Work Life will address the audience on Thursday morning, and Virginia Drachman, writer of 250 Years of Enterprising Women, will address the breakfast audience on Friday morning.

Booth space for exhibitors is available at the event as well, and JC Penney and Target purchasing representatives will attend as part of their search for products from women-owned businesses.

The 7th Annual Michigan Women's Business Conference & Expo is a procurement event that has been planned and created for women, and attending this event will provide women with invaluable information, networking and empowering opportunities.

Sponsors for the Conference & Expo include General Motors, O'Briens Agency, New Technology Steel, GMAC, Ford Motor Company and a host of others.

For registration information, visit www.miceed.org or call 734-677-1400.