Big Sandy Women’s Business Symposium slated for Feb. 27

The 19th Annual Big Sandy Women’s Business Symposium is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in Paintsville. The symposium is presented by Morehead State University’s East Kentucky Small Business Development Center. This year’s theme is “Making Connections”.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. The cost of the event is $30, which includes all workshops, meals and afternoon keynote. All women are invited to attend the symposium.

The morning will start with registration, networking and opening remarks at 10 a.m. by Emcee Trish Adams. Then attendees will have their choice of two concurrent breakout sessions. Sessions offered will be, “QuickBooks and You” presented by Regina Becknell, project specialist for MACED and, “Finding Balance and Staying Connected on Social Media” presented by Sarah Frank Bowark, with CEDIK. The afternoon keynote speaker will be Amelia “Mimi” Brown with lunch time entertainment provided by the Pike Central Jazz Band.

Brown helps individuals and organizations add more power, pizzazz and punch to their lives and businesses. She mentors with passion, guiding her clients to effectively strengthen and elevate their leadership vision to new heights.

With more than 10 years of corporate training experience, a knack for making meaningful connections with audiences and an insatiable appetite for helping others maximize their potential, she knows how to rock a platform, connect with a crowd and provide training so that others can effectively do the same.

Brown’s down-to-earth humor compels audiences to laugh while they learn. She engages groups from the moment she steps in front of them and leaves them with empowering tools and focused mindsets that they will use long after the lights have gone out on the event. Brown is passionate about people, leadership and successful businesses. She is especially inspired to help people take their careers – and themselves – to unprecedented levels.

The Pike County Central Jazz Ensemble serves as a community ambassador for Pike Central High School. The ensemble was established in 2012 and is made up of talented students from grades 9-12. It is known for its mix of jazz and popular standards, and its performances feature a variety of styles and singers. The ensemble is directed by Matt Moon.

This year will be the second year that Picture Perfect Photo Booth has been a part of the symposium.  They will be on hand all day, ready to capture that perfect symposium moment.

Sponsors for this year’s event are: AAA Real Estate, Appalachian Wireless, BB&T, First Commonwealth Bank, MACED, Mountain Apothecary in Paintsville, Paul B. Hall Regional Medical Center, Pop’s Chevrolet, Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Kentucky and Pikeville Walmart. Student sponsor is Community Trust bank, media sponsor is Q95FM and entertainment sponsor is East Kentucky Business Exchange.

The event is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance.

Registration is available online at www.eventbrite.com/e/19th-annual-big-sandy-womens-small-business-symposium-tickets-42099370350 or by calling 606-432-5848.

For more information about the East Kentucky Small Business Development Center, visit https://www.ksbdc.org/morehead. 

For more information about business programs at Morehead State, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/business.