The Women's Economic Opportunity Conference
The 16th Annual Women's Economic Opportunity Conference took place on November 10, 2012 on the campus of the Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Vt. Women from all over Vermont have continued to ask for this day-long opportunity to build on their career and professional goals, and to connect with other women who can help reach their career objectives. The conference, lunch and pre-registered child care are provided free of charge.
This year's conference included new offerings for Vermont's value-added food producers and for recent college graduates looking to stay in Vermont. In honor of Veterans Day, female veterans and employment specialists gathered to discuss careers after military service. The conference featured the vital "how-to" workshops that provide the basic tools for women at all stages of their professional and personal development.
For more information on this year's conference agenda, keynote speaker, and presenting partners, please see below.
Agenda
| 8:00 | Registration / Exhibits / Coffee |
| 8:25 - 8:30 | Welcoming Remarks by Dr. Philip A. Conroy, President, Vermont Technical College |
| 8:30 - 9:45 | U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy |
| Keynote Address: Janette Bombardier, IBM Vermont Director of Site Operations and Sr. Location Execute | |
| 10:00 - 12:00 | Business, Professional, Career, & Personal Workshops (Sessions 1 & 2) |
| 11:30 - 12:30 | Lunch, Networking (Session 1 lunch at 11:30; Session 2 lunch at 12pm) |
| 12:45 - 2:15 | Business, Professional, Career, & Personal Workshops (Session 3) |
| 2:30 - 3:00 | Closing Wellness Session with Sharon Gutwin of RehabGYM |
| 3:00 - 3:15 | Raffle and Evaluations |
Keynote Speaker: Janette Bombardier, IBM Vermont Director of Site Operations and Sr. Location Executive
With a background in civil engineering, Janette Bombardier's skills have served her well in a career spanning three decades at IBM. Still, she manages to find time to boost young women's interest in technical careers as well as support non-profits in energy management programs. The University of Vermont graduate will share her personal inventory approach - how she takes stock of knowledge, business and personal skills in order to achieve career growth and balance the demands of life and leadership.
Sponsored By:
U.S. Small Business Administration
Vermont Agency of Human Services, Office of Economic Opportunity
Vermont Agency of Transportation
Vermont Commission on Women
Vermont Commission on Women Education and Research Foundation
Vermont Department of Labor
Vermont Economic Development Authority
Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center
Vermont Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Vermont Small Business Development Center
Vermont Technical College
Vermont Women's Business Center
Vermont Works for Women
Women's Agricultural Network
Planning Committee Members:
Office of U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy
USDA Rural Development
U.S. Small Business Administration
Vermont Agency of Human Services, Office of Economic Opportunity
Vermont Agency of Transportation
Vermont Commission on Women
Vermont Department of Labor
Vermont Small Business Development Center
Vermont Technical College
Vermont Women's Business Center
Vermont Procurement Technical Asstistance Center
