NORTHERN LIGHTS : Businesswomen’s event draws 1,100 in 10th year
Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2008
ROGERS — Today’s businesswomen want it all, and more and more they’re getting it.
It’s been a decade since the first Northwest Arkansas Business Women’s Conference, and event coordinator Krista Khone says she’s finding it easier and easier to draw businesswomen to the event.
“It’s networking, training... the [day ] is set up to offer a little for everyone, whether you’re a small-business owner or a mom juggling soccer practice and community events,” Khone said.
On Tuesday, the John Q. Hammons Convention Center opened its doors to about 1, 100 women, substantially more than last year’s attendance. Conferees browsed booths, chatted with old and new friends, and sat in on professional development seminars — everything from succession planning to personal image and women’s self-defense techniques to “Body Bashing: Think Healthy, Not Skinny.”
Grammy Award-winning singer Gladys Knight delivered the keynote address at the end of the conference. She shared the challenges in her life — divorce, gambling and smoking — and told women “success is not a happenstance,” but something that requires sacrifices and a plan.
“While you’re trying to succeed... take some time for yourself,” she said. “We have to be able to multi-task. We are women, and we know how to do that.”
At lunch, guests dined on breaded chicken, salad and cheesecake and listened to Pam Warren Bratcher, a board member of the Benton County Women’s Shelter, talk about her experience as a victim of domestic violence. She encouraged women to bid in the silent auction, which was set up to benefit the shelter.
Kelly Johnson, director of the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, won the Athena Award, which recognizes women who serve as examples to other women seeking leadership roles.
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