The 17th Annual Big Sandy Women’s Business Symposium will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Wilkinson-Stumbo Convention Center in Prestonsburg. The theme of this year’s conference is “Laugh, Change, Conquer” and will feature two keynote speakers.
The morning address, “Circuitous Routes to Success” will be delivered by Dianne Leveridge, and certified speaking professional Sally Baskey will present the afternoon address, “Laugh, Change, Conquer.”
The cost of the event is $25, which includes all workshops, keynotes and meals. All women are invited to attend the symposium, presented by Morehead State University’s East Kentucky Small Business Development Center.
Leveridge is a semi-retired consultant whose business career includes product development, manufacturing and business process development. Her experience includes global product quality responsibilities, managing global projects and people, meeting deliverables and expectations in a manufacturing environment in the United States, Mexico and China. She earned her Ph.D. degree in civil engineering project management from the University of Maryland. The Lane Report classified Leveridge as one of the top women in business in Kentucky.
Baskey is a trained actress and “acted” like she knew what she was doing during her 25 year management career with a major oil company. She made a big impact on marketing, customer service, human resources, telecommunications, public relations, and employee communications.
With her strength in managing technical areas as a non-technical person, Baskey keeps it simple. Her presentations entertain, educate and influence audiences by showing how humor can help diffuse difficult situations within an organization, as well as in life. Her creativity influences employees and management to participate in company programs, events and training.
Baskey is the past president of the North Texas chapter of the National Speaker’s Association. She holds the designation of CSP – Certified Speaking Professional.
Entertainment for the symposium will be provided by Maranda Finney. Finney is the 17-year-old daughter of Dr. Angela Maggard and John Finney of Hager Hill. She is an aspiring singer and songwriter, performing at local, state, and national events. One of her most recent accomplishments took place in March at the 2015 Big Sandy Idol Regional competition, where she won first place and a full scholarship to Big Sandy Community and Technical College, along with a full album recording through the college’s studio.
Registration, breakfast and exhibits will run from 8:30-9:15 a.m. Welcoming remarks from Emcee Trish Adams will follow.
Leveridge will begin her morning keynote at 9:30 a.m. Breakout sessions, “Managing and Leading Your Team” presented by Rachelle Burchett and “Women’s Business Enterprise Certification Program Benefits” presented by Maudie Moreno will be held from 10:15-11:15 a.m. Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. and entertainment will begin at noon.
Afternoon address by Baskey will begin at 12:45 p.m. The symposium will conclude at 2:30 p.m., following closing remarks and door prize drawings.
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.
Additional information and registration is available by calling the East Kentucky Small Business Development Center at 606-788-7272 or 606-432-5848.
