PRESS RELEASE
Beacon Award Winners 2007
LOCAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT 2ND ANNUAL DIVERSITY EVENT
The Beacon Awards draws about 350 attendees
ORLANDO, Fla. (October 3, 2007)
Five companies and one individual advocate were recently honored for their diversity practices at The Beacon Awards, an annual event that showcases and shares best practices in diversity and inclusion.
The winners:
Small Business: International Training and Development, LLC
Medium Business: Fifth Third Bank
Nonprofit: Orange County Library System
Large Business: UPS
Corporate Advocate: Florida Hospital
Individual Advocate: Richard E. "Rich" Morrison, Florida Hospital
The Beacon Awards recognizes organizations and individuals for celebrating the diversity of Greater Orlando's workforce by promoting inclusion in areas of race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and family status. Companies, organizations and individuals chosen for the awards are held up in the community as beacons of light, leading the way for others.
For more information about The Beacon Awards, visit http://www.thebeaconawards.org/
About The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando's Workforce
The Beacon Awards showcases and shares best practices in diversity and inclusion. Companies, organizations and individuals chosen for the awards are held up in the community as beacons of light, leading the way for others. The event recognizes organizations and individuals for celebrating the diversity of Greater Orlando's workforce by promoting inclusion in areas of race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and family status.
Nominations are accepted from counties throughout Central Florida, including Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia.
The Beacon Awards program was created in 2006 by the Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners in partnership with Walt Disney World, The YaYa Network and the Orlando Business Journal's Diversity Works program. This year's new partners include WKMG-TV Local 6, Lift Disability Network and LYNX.
Beacon Awards 2007
The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity
in Greater Orlando's Workforce
For Immediate Release:
Editor's Note: Media are invited to attend this event at no charge. To attend, simply e-mail Jennifer.wakefield@orlandoedc.com.
ORLANDO, Fla. (September 6, 2007)
The Beacon Awards, an annual event that showcases and shares best practices in diversity and inclusion, will be held on Tuesday, September 18 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
The Beacon Awards recognize organizations and individuals for celebrating the diversity of Greater Orlando's workforce by promoting inclusion in areas of race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and family status. Companies, organizations and individuals chosen for the awards are held up in the community as beacons of light, leading the way for others.
Finalists for The Beacon Awards have been selected and winners will be announced at the event. The finalists include:
Darden Restaurants
Orlando Utilities Commission
Florida Hospital
UPS
Zero Chaos
Fifth Third Bank
JumpTV
Beacon Benefit Consulting
Tech Solutions
International Training and Development
Seminole Work Opportunity Program
Florida Minority Supplier Development Council
Orange County Library System
Betty Martinez Lowery, Walt Disney World
Ann Brown Payne, Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance (The Alliance)
Rich Morrison, Florida Hospital
Nominations were accepted from nine counties throughout Central Florida (Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia) and will be awarded in the following categories:
Large business: 1,000+ employees
Medium business: 51 to 999 employees
Small business: up to 50 employees
Nonprofit organization
Individual Advocate
Corporate/Organization Advocate
Corporate tables (8) for the event are now on sale for $1000 and individual tickets are $75.
For more information about The Beacon Awards, or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.thebeaconawards.org
About The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando's Workforce
The Beacon Awards showcases and shares best practices in diversity and inclusion. Companies, organizations and individuals chosen for the awards are held up in the community as beacons of light, leading the way for others. The event recognizes organizations and individuals for celebrating the diversity of Greater Orlando's workforce by promoting inclusion in areas of race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and family status.
Nominations are accepted from counties throughout Central Florida, including Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole and Volusia.
The Beacon Awards program was created in 2006 by the Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners in partnership with Walt Disney World, The YaYa Network and the Orlando Business Journal's Diversity Works program. This year's new partners include WKMG-TV Local 6, Lift Disability Network and LYNX.
Previous winners (2006):
Nonprofit Organization: Orange County Regional History Center
Small Business: Bryan W. Crews and Associates, P.A.
Medium Business: WELBRO Building Corporation
Large Business: Lockheed Martin Corporation, with Rosen Hotels & Resorts receiving a Special Mention
Individual Advocate: Al Sandoval, Office Depot
Corporate Advocate: WKMG-TV Local 6
New Board Announced for 2007-08
WOMEN'S BUSINESS GROUP TAPS 2007-08 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chapter's goals include raising profile
of women-owned businesses
ORLANDO, Fla. (July 9, 2007)
The Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners has named its board of directors for 2007-08.
The new officers and directors include:
President: Linda Moore, senior representative, Principal Financial Group
President-elect: Holly Luisi, president and founder, The Bene Group
Treasurer: Karen Hurney, CPA
Secretary: Rebecca Reynolds, Initials Monogram Shop
Directors: Marcia Babione, CPA, Babione, Kuehler & Co., CPAs; Vickie Boubelik, Tradeshow Decorators International; Sara Gustafson, The Celestial Center; Therese Smyntek, Intelligent Office; Claudette Stroble, Orlando Conference Management Group; and Helen Vella, Vella & Associates.
The chapter, which is celebrating its 12th year, has pledged to continue raising the profile of women business owners in Central Florida this year through strategic alliances, community events, fund-raising, philanthropic work and educational initiatives.
NAWBO Orlando's two most high-profile annual events are The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando’s Workforce (http://www.thebeaconawards.org/), scheduled for September 18, 2007, and the Share the Wealth Women's Business Expo & Trade Show, held in April. Both involve several community partners.
"NAWBO represents 10.1 million women-owned businesses nationwide, and that equates to quite a bit of power," says Moore, who been a chapter member since 2000. "With our pooled resources, and working with strategic partners, we can accomplish magnificent things, both nationally and on a local level."
About NAWBO
Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide and is the only organization that represents the interests of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organization's mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers.
For more information, please visit http://www.nawbo.org/ and http://www.nawboorlando.org/.
Expo Event 2007
4 ORGANIZATIONS COMBINE FORCES
FOR 7TH ANNUAL SHARE THE WEALTH
WOMEN'S BUSINESS EXPO & TRADE SHOW
ORLANDO, Florida (March 12, 2007)
Five business organizations have joined forces this year for the 7th Annual Share the Wealth Women's Business Expo & Trade Show, which takes place Tuesday, April 24, 2007, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Maitland.
Women-owned businesses represent a powerful force in the economic health of Central Florida, and this event showcases some of those businesses as well as women's business organizations, support services for women in business, and sponsors that support women's business organizations. The expo is expected to attract more than 400 attendees and 75 vendor booths.
This year's expo is presented by a powerhouse line-up of premier women's business organizations: National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO Orlando), Business and Professional Women (BPW/Orlando), National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)and Hispanic-American Professional and Business Women's Association (HAPBWA).
"This event has outgrown its venue every year since it was founded in 2000," says chair Linda Moore. "That's because our outstanding vendors and visitors make it fun. It's known more as a boisterous social event than a quiet tradeshow. People look forward to it year after year."
NAWBO Orlando started Share the Wealth in 2000, attracting about 30 booths and 120 visitors at the Orange County Regional History Center. The event has expanded every year to include other women's business groups, this year adding NAWIC. Proceeds raised by Share the Wealth go to support community education funds operated by the four partner organizations.
Sponsors include Walt Disney World Resort, WKMG-TV Local 6, Progress Energy, Wal-Mart, the Orlando Business Journal and UPS.
Ticket prices reflect the desire for broad access to the types of products and services available to both the general population and the business community. Individual tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door, and they include hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.
Vendor tables and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For exhibit information, contact Vickie Boubelik at 407-877-1340 or Vickie@tradeshow-decorators.com. For information on sponsorships, contact Therese Smyntek at 407-210-3900 or ts@ioorlando.com. To place an advertisement in the event program, contact Diane Sears at 407-254-5449 or diane@di-verse-media.com. To purchase tickets, visit www.nawboorlando.org/expo or contact Linda Moore, 407-875-0558, Ext. 3016, or moore.linda@principal.com.
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About the Share the Wealth Business Expo & Trade Show
The 2006 Share the Wealth Business Expo & Trade Show is a partnership between NAWBO Orlando (http://www.nawboorlando.org/), BPW/Orlando (http://www.orlandobpw.com/), NAWIC (http://www.nawic.org/) and HAPBWA (http://www.hapbwa.com/). For information about the event, contact event chair Linda Moore at moore.linda@principal.com.
Candidate Forum Preview 2006
WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS TO HOST LOCAL CANDIDATES
Forum on October 17 gives political hopefuls
a chance to connect with entrepreneurs
ORLANDO, Fla. (October 2, 2006)
The Orlando chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) will host a local candidate forum on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Citrus Club. All local and state political hopefuls have been invited to spotlight issues, while joining some of Orlando's most well-known, productive women business leaders.
National Association of Women Business Owners is the voice of America's 10.6 million women-owned businesses. Since 1975, NAWBO has helped women evolve their businesses by sharing resources and providing a single voice to shape economic and public policy. NAWBO is the only dues-based national organization representing the interests of women entrepreneurs across all industries. NAWBO Orlando has a member base of 100+ with a usual meeting attendance of 40 members who are business owners and community leaders. Its mission statement is as follows:
NAWBO is an organization that works to:
STRENGTHEN the wealth-creating capacity of our members and promote economic development.
CREATE innovative and effective changes in the business culture.
BUILD strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations.
TRANSFORM public policy and influence opinion.
NAWBO Orlando, which recently was honored with five national chapter awards, including one national first-place ranking in marketing and branding, meets twice a month at the Citrus Club, 255 S. Orange Ave., in downtown Orlando. Breakfast meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month, and dinner events are on the third Tuesday.
Please visit the website at http://www.nawboorlando.org/ for more information about the Orlando chapter and http://www.nawbo.org/ for more information about National Association of Women Business Owners.
National Awards Announcement 2006
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN
BUSINESS OWNERS ANNOUNCES MEMBER
AND CORPORATE PARTNER OF YEAR AWARDS
NAWBO Will Honor Entrepreneur from Orlando and
Corporate Partners from Florida and North Carolina
(McLean, VA)
The National Association of Women Business Owners will honor Diane Sears, president of DiVerse Media LLC, with its coveted Member of the Year award. Orlando-based Walt Disney World and Charlotte-based ClickCom.com will each receive a national Chapter Corporate Partner of the Year Award. All award winners will be honored at NAWBO's 2006 Annual Women's Business Conference, which takes place June 1-3, 2006, in San Francisco.
Member of the Year
Diane Sears, president of DiVerse Media, LLC, has been active in the NAWBO Orlando chapter and on the national level since 1999. She has participated on the NAWBO Orlando board every year, serving as programs director, marketing director, president-elect, president, awards chair, and special events chair. Twice in 2005, Diane was nominated to serve on the national board. In addition, Diane wrote NAWBO's second book in its entrepreneur trilogy series, Tapping Your Inner Entrepreneur: Making the Move from Employee to Business Owner. Besides her involvement in NAWBO, Diane is also a board member of the Minority/Women's Business Enterprise Alliance; a governing board member of the Orlando area Athena PowerLink program; host committee member of the Mayor Rich Crotty Women's Leadership Summit; advisory board member of The YaYa Network; and host committee member of the Women Impacting Public Policy "We Decide" event.
Chapter Corporate Partners of the Year
ClickCom.com, an internet service provider, has been a NAWBO Charlotte Partner since 2001. As a NAWBO Charlotte Partner, ClickCom.com has provided a complete redesign and hosting of the NAWBO Charlotte Web site, assisted in the development and distribution for the chapter's weekly e-bulletin, blast e-mails, and bi-monthly electronic newsletter; donote the use of the their facilities for NAWBO Charlotte's Speaker Series, as well as, participation in the chapter's monthly meeting by ClickCom.com's partners. Founders Jon Symanski, John DiCristo, and Nick DiCristo will accept this award at the conference.
Walt Disney World's Minority Business Development Department has consistently supported NAWBO Orlando's growth through the chapter's 10-year history. Disney has provided support to NAWBO Orlando by donating money each year to the chapter; in-kind support such as underwriting a NAWBO Orlando event; mentoring the chapter's leadership; and introducing NAWBO Orlando members to decision-makers in the community who have contributed to the growth of the chapter. NAWBO Orlando has benefited from the experience of various member of the Disney team, including the Minority Business Development Manager, Mary Ann Goloversic.
For additional information on these award winners, visit the NAWBO Web site at www.nawbo.org/conferences.
About NAWBO
Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. Thirty years later, NAWBO is still the only organization that solely represents the interest of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organization's mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers. Visit http://www.nawbo.org/ for more information.
Local Member Wins National Recognition
LOCAL WRITER WINS NATIONAL
WOMEN'S BUSINESS AWARD
Diane Sears named National Member of the Year
during San Francisco NAWBO Conference
June 13, 2006 (Orlando, FL)
The National Association of Women Business Owners awarded Orlando writer and publisher Diane Sears with the coveted National NAWBO Member of the Year title during its annual conference on Saturday, June 3, in San Francisco, CA. Sears won the award from the 8,000-member organization for her strong commitment to leadership and her work to advance and mentor women business owners.
Sears is the founder and president of DiVerse Media, LLC, in Orlando, Florida, where she helps authors write and publish nonfiction books and is preparing to publish an online career-based magazine. She is the author of Tapping Your Inner Entrepreneur: Making the Move From Employee to Business Owner, a 2005 book commissioned by NAWBO.
A journalist for more than 20 years, Sears is the Travel and Health Editor for Florida Trend magazine, where she also covers Central Florida news. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Venture Woman, a national magazine for women business owners, and the former Workplace reporter for the Orlando Sentinel newspaper. Sears is an accomplished writer with news journalism experience as an assistant city editor, a government reporter, a copy editor and a copy desk chief for daily newspapers including the Orlando Sentinel and Florida Today. For more information, log onto the web site at http://www.di-verse-media.com/.
Sears served as 2004-05 president of the Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners. In the nomination, NAWBO noted that Sears has been active in the NAWBO Orlando chapter and on the national level since 1999. She has participated on the NAWBO Orlando board every year, serving as programs director, marketing director, president-elect, president, awards chair, and special events chair. Twice in 2005, Diane was nominated to serve on the national board. Locally, she is a board member of the Minority/Women's Business Enterprise Alliance; a governing board member of the Orlando area Athena PowerLink program; and an advisory board member for The YaYa Network.
About NAWBO
Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. It is the voice of America's 10.6 million women-owned businesses and the only dues-based national organization that represents the interests of women entrepreneurs in all industries. For details, visit http://www.nawbo.org/ or http://www.nawboorlando.org/.
2006 National Awards
ORLANDO WOMEN'S BUSINESS GROUP
WINS 5 NATIONAL AWARDS
Honors presented to NAWBO Orlando
during San Francisco conference
ORLANDO, Fla. (June 9, 2006)
The Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners picked up an unprecedented five awards during the national organization's annual conference June 1-3 in San Francisco, CA.
The awards were presented during luncheon and dinner ceremonies throughout the event at the Westin Union Square Hotel, where more than 500 women business owners gathered for organizational meetings, keynote speeches, educational sessions, a business expo and networking. The honors included:
NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award
Deborah Jallad and Sharon Jallad, sisters who serve as president and executive vice president of Accredited Surety and Casualty Company in Winter Park.
National Member of the Year
Diane Sears, president of DiVerse Media, LLC, in Orlando and immediate past president of NAWBO Orlando.
Chapter Corporate Partner of the Year
Walt Disney World's Minority Business Development Department, represented by Manager Mary Ann Goloversic.
National Overall Brand Style Award
First place among more than 80 chapters nationwide in marketing and branding efforts.
Healthy Chapter Bronze Award
One of fewer than 20 chapters recognized nationwide.
"Our chapter is thrilled to be so honored," says Therese Smyntek, 2005-06 president of NAWBO Orlando. "We're proud of our winners. We've worked hard the last 10 years setting goals, promoting NAWBO Orlando members and forging community relationships. This multitude of awards reflects our work."
About NAWBO
Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide and is the only organization that represents the interests of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organization's mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers. For more information, please visit http://www.nawbo.org/ and http://www.nawboorlando.org/
Expo Event 2006
4 ORGANIZATIONS COMBINE FORCES
FOR 6TH ANNUAL 'SHARE THE WEALTH'
WOMEN'S BUSINESS EXPO & TRADE SHOW
ORLANDO, Florida (May 1, 2006)
The 6th Annual "Share the Wealth" Women's Business Expo & Trade Show will be held Tuesday, May 16, 2006, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the historic Leu Gardens.
Women-owned businesses represent a powerful force in the economic health of Central Florida, and this event showcases some of those businesses as well as women's business organizations, support services for women in business, and sponsors that support women's business organizations. The expo is expected to attract more than 300 attendees and at least 50 vendor booths.
This year's expo is presented by a powerhouse line-up of premier women's business organizations: National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO Orlando), Business and Professional Women (BPW/Orlando) and Hispanic-American Professional and Business Women's Association (HAPBWA).
"The expo is quickly becoming the largest event of its kind in Central Florida," says Therese Smyntek, president of NAWBO Orlando, which founded the event in 2000. "We named it 'Share the Wealth' because it not only acknowledges the important role business women play in creating economic wealth, but it seeks to serve as a springboard to fuel growth."
The Minority/Women's Business Enterprise Alliance will lead roundtable discussions about business topics during the event. The Alliance operates the Women's Business Center in Orlando, which is sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and partially funded by Universal Orlando.
Sponsors include Walt Disney World Resort, WKMG-TV Local 6, the Orlando Business Journal, Accredited Surety & Casualty Co. and Axium Healthcare.
Organizers have tapped the Florida Breast Cancer Coalition Research Foundation as the event's featured nonprofit. The foundation will be at the event to take donations for help fighting the disease that has plagued so many women.
Ticket prices reflect the desire for broad access to the types of products and services available to both the general population and the business community. Individual tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door, and they include hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.
Vendor tables and sponsorship opportunities are still available. For tickets and exhibit information, call 407-246-4646 or email expo@nawboorlando.com. For complete event details, visit www.nawboorlando.org/expo.
About the 'Share the Wealth' Business Expo & Trade Show
The 2006 "Share the Wealth" Business Expo & Trade Show is a partnership between NAWBO Orlando (http://www.nawboorlando.org/), BPW/Orlando (http://www.orlandobpw.com/) and HAPBWA (http://www.hapbwa.com/). For information about the event, contact event chair Lisa Walker at lisa@nawboOrlando.com.
Beacon Award Winners 2006
6 WINNERS PRESENTED WITH AWARDS
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY IN
GREATER ORLANDO'S WORKFORCE
ORLANDO, Fla. (February 27, 2006)
Six leaders in workplace diversity practices have received recognition as 2006 winners of The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando's Workforce. During a first-ever event on February 23, 2006, awards were presented in the following categories:
Nonprofit Organization
Orange County Regional History Center
Small Business
Bryan W. Crews and Associates, P.A.
Medium Business
WELBRO Building Corporation
Large Business
Lockheed Martin Corporation, with Rosen Hotels & Resorts receiving a Special Mention
Individual Advocate
Al Sandoval, Office Depot
Corporate Advocate
WKMG-TV Local 6
The awards were presented by the Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (www.nawboOrlando.org), The YaYa Network (www.theyayanetwork.com), Orlando Business Journal (www.bizjournals.com/orlando), and the OBJ/Diversity Works team of Walt Disney World, Darden Restaurants, Orlando Utilities Commission and the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.
"As women business owners, many of us in traditionally male fields, we appreciate individuals, companies and organizations that embrace diversity on all levels," says Therese Smyntek, 2005-06 president of NAWBO Orlando. "We sought to partner this year with groups that share this way of doing business."
This year's event was held at the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World featuring keynote speaker Dr. E. Lance McCarthy, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League. It followed the daylong 4th Annual YaYa Network Conference for professional women.
"The YaYa Network believes in promoting diversity in all aspects of business," says Pam Carman, founder of the YaYa Network. "We can learn from each other if we embrace our differences as well as our similarities."
About the Beacon Awards
The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando's Workforce will annually spotlight workplaces in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia and Lake counties that practice inclusion in areas of race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and family status.
Beacon Awards 2006
BEACON AWARDS TO CELEBRATE DIVERSITY
IN GREATER ORLANDO'S WORKFORCE
ORLANDO, Fla. (February 8, 2006)
During a first-ever event on February 23, 2006, six leaders in workplace diversity practices will receive awards as beacons who light the way for other employers throughout Central Florida.
The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando's Workforce is from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Walt Disney World's Coronado Springs Resort. The awards are designed to spotlight workplaces in Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Volusia and Lake counties that practice inclusion in areas of race, ethnicity, gender, age, physical and mental ability, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status and family status.
Awards will be presented in six categories:
Large business: 1,000-plus employees
Medium business: 51 to 999 employees
Small business: up to 50 employees
Organization: nonprofit
Individual: person who has made a difference
Advocate: champion of inclusion
Keynote speaker for the event is Dr. E. Lance McCarthy, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League. A nationally recognized economist and investment advisor, with a specialty in urban development, Dr. McCarthy has assisted nonprofit organizations, churches, corporations, professional athletes and cities with economic development and financing plans. His upcoming book, Wall Street to the Hood: 21st Century Strategies for Rebuilding Urban America, focuses on urban enlightenment and prosperity, and gives solutions for changing the philosophical economic mindset of African-Americans.
WKMG-TV Local 6 investigative news reporter Nancy Alvarez will emcee the event. A member of Channel 6's Problem Solvers Unit, Ms. Alvarez handles in-depth news stories that uncover wrongdoing in the public and private sectors. She works closely with Latino Leadership and other organizations that help people in the community.
The ceremony also will feature an invocation by Ann Brown Payne, CEO of the Minority/Women Business Enterprise Alliance Inc., known as The Alliance. Ms. Payne is a well-known speaker who founded and hosts "The Business Report" radio talk show broadcast weekly to 170,000 listeners. An ordained minister, she serves on the board of VWJ Ministries and St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando.
The evening will include vocals by Orlando soloist Anna-Kay Morrison, who will perform "The Star-Spangled Banner" and an original song about diversity.
The Beacon Awards hosts are the Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners, The YaYa Network, Orlando Business Journal, and the OBJ/Diversity Works team of Walt Disney World, Darden Restaurants, Orlando Utilities Commission and the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.
"As women business owners, many of us in traditionally male fields, we appreciate individuals, companies and organizations that embrace diversity on all levels," says Therese Smyntek, 2005-06 president of NAWBO Orlando. "We sought to partner this year with groups that share this way of doing business. This is an event for men and women all over Central Florida. In coming years, we expect the entire community to embrace diversity as a sound business practice."
Before the Beacon Awards ceremony, hundreds of women business leaders will gather at the Coronado Springs Resort during the day for the 4th Annual YaYa Network Conference, a one-day event that has as its theme this year "All About Diversity." Keynote speakers for the conference are:
Dot Richardson, M.D., a two-time Olympic gold medallist in softball and director/medical director of the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida.
Roslyn Ridgeway, national president of Business and Professional Women/USA.
"The YaYa Network believes in promoting diversity in all aspects of business," says Pam Carman, founder and president of Business Architects of Innovation, which produces the conference. "These days, we all wear many hats in our community as citizens, parents, grandparents, volunteers, workers, employers and leaders. We can learn from each other if we embrace our differences as well as our similarities."
Tickets are still available for both events for $75 for the Beacon Awards and $159 for the YaYa Network Conference. Visit http://www.theyayanetwork.com/ to purchase online.
About the Beacon Awards
The Beacon Awards: Celebrating Diversity in Greater Orlando's Workforce is a partnership between the Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (www.nawboOrlando.org), The YaYa Network (www.theyayanetwork.com), Orlando Business Journal (www.bizjournals.com/orlando), and the OBJ/Diversity Works team of Walt Disney World, Darden Restaurants, Orlando Utilities Commission and the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission.