“Redefining the Face of Business”

January 21, 2010

Featuring Keynote Speaker Birgit Klohs, President of The Right Place, Inc.

You are invited to join the Alliance of Women Entrepreneurs at their Annual Conference, “Redefining the Face of Business”.  It can be concluded that women entrepreneurs are changing the the way business is conducted and AWE wants to encourage this transformation.  The aim of this event is to educate and connect West Michigan women business entrepreneurs through various speed coaching and breakout sessions paired with networking opportunities.  Attendees will choose two breakout sessions that fit the interests of themselves and their businesses.  Informal speed coaching sessions are also an option to learn new ways to create success in their business.  Other benefits of the conference include an award reception, the opportunity to bid on lunch with influential corporate figures, the chance to network with vendors and other business women, and much more.  Our goal in this conference is to bring together business women and create a supportive and educational environment for all attendees.

Event Schedule

12:00pm   Registration

12:30pm   Welcome Address

1:00pm     Breakout Session

2:00pm     Vendor Tables and Speed Coaching

3:00pm     Breakout Session

4:00pm     Wine and Networking

5:30pm     Dinner

6:30pm     Keynote Speaker

7:15pm     Award Presentation

For questions or to receive more information regarding vendor table, sponsorship, or speaking opportunities, contact Caitlin Brown at admin@awe-westmichigan.org.

“Redefining the Face of Business”

Date: January 21, 2010

Time: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Keynote Speaker: Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place

Location: The Pinnacle Center

3330 Highland Dr.

Hudsonville, MI 49426

About this Event:  Please mark your calendars for a day of networking, education, and great food.  Participants will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions and speed coaching sessions, visit vendor tables, and talk with other business owners in the area.

About the Keynote:  Birgit M. Klohs is president of The Right Place, Inc., a position she has held since 1987. A native of Germany, she joined the staff from Grand Valley State University where she was assistant director of the Office for Economic Expansion. Her professional economic development experience began in 1977 as an Industrial Consultant with the Economic Development Corporation of Berrien County, Michigan. Her formal education includes a degree in finance from Western Michigan University. Birgit also is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute of the University of Oklahoma, as well as a certified Economic Development Finance Professional. In addition to her administration responsibilities, Birgit is active in each of The Right Place, Inc.’s strategic priorities. She brings special expertise to the retention, expansion and attraction priorities of The Right Place, Inc.. Her attraction efforts include both domestic and international prospects, including several foreign trade missions annually. Birgit has many professional and volunteer affiliations in the community, serving on the boards of such organizations as Spectrum Health, Macatawa Bank, the Employers’ Association and the Grand Rapids Symphony. She is a member of the State of Michigan’s Council of Economic Advisors and serves on the board of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Ms. Klohs is a frequent speaker at national and international economic development seminars and conferences, having lectured in France, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden and Australia. Most recently she spoke in Xiamen, China at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT).

More information to come.  Contact Caitlin Brown at admin@awe-westmichigan.org with any questions.