2008 BPW/MD and AAUW MD Joint Conference

Maryland Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc.

2008 BPW/MD and AAUW MD Joint Conference
April 25 - 27, 2008
Hilton Gaithersburg, Gaithersburg, Maryland

Power of the Purse!

Grab your purse.... and join us for the first ever joint BPW/AAUW State Conference. This year will prove to be the best conference to date, and is money well spent!! We are honored to be partnering with AAUW Maryland, which also has a long tradition of supporting pay equity for working women.

This years' theme is the "Power of the Purse" and is particularly appropriate since both organizations are focused on achieving pay equity and success for all working women through advocacy, information, education and partnerships. Our banner depicts a red purse, which is a visible symbol of economic inequities facing women, so bring your red purse to conference and let's focus attention on the "Power of the Purse!"

We have three action-packed, educational, fundraising days lined up -- so register today. Arrive at the conference site early because you don't want to miss this exciting opportunity to mix and mingle with other powerful like-minded women, to expand your horizons and to raise money for a good cause. BPW and AAUW will hold separate business sessions, but will join together for the Friday night entertainment, Saturday meals and workshops, and also the exhibitors and silent auction.

The conference kicks off at noon on Friday, April 25, with great offers from exhibitors, a walk-about lunch with special authors and book signings. Check out the "Power of the Purse" Silent Auction where there will be a variety of celebrity, dignitary and fun themed purses up for auction. The proceeds of the Silent Auction will benefit the BPW Foundation and AAUW's educational programs. Be prepared to take home a few extra purses.

BPW/MD's Business Session will begin on Friday at 3:00 pm, and we encourage all members to arrive in time to register, have lunch, meet the authors and participate in the book signings prior to the start of business.

The Friday night line up for entertainment is sure to get you fired up as the Hexagoners, Washington's only original political satirical musical comedy revue present "Stars & Gripes Forever." In addition to a Federation fundraiser, proceeds of this performance will also benefit educational scholarships for AAUW and BPW, as well as the Duke Ellington School of Art. Get tickets for colleagues, friends, and family because you don't want them to miss the fun and frolic! This is a separate registration, so be sure to order tickets using the correct form.

On Saturday, BPW and AAUW will hold separate business sessions, and then come together for a powerful luncheon for members, friends and guests. Luncheon speaker Dotsie Bregel, Founder of the National Association of Baby Boomer Women and "Boomer Women Speak," will address luncheon attendees with a fun, enlightening look at "what boomer women want."

After a highly charged lunch experience, two powerful workshops will run twice in the afternoon so that all conference attendees may participate in both sessions. The financial power of women will be highlighted in a presentation by WISER (Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement), and we'll be motivated by the legislative power women gain through advocacy and action.

Make sure you take your vitamins on Saturday as that evening is BPW/MD's Awards and Installation Banquet and you won't want to miss it! Montgomery County BPW will host the installation ceremony, and we are delighted that BPW/USA President Elect Diane Polangin will be our installing officer. Following installation, we are pleased to present Washington, DC actress and Broadway star Kate Campbell Stevenson and her new production of "Petticoats in Politics."

And after all that, wake up to the National Conference Breakfast on Sunday and hear about the 2008 BPW/USA National Conference in Atlanta and how Maryland members can help host the installation of our own Diane Polangin as BPW/USA's National President.

Be sure to mark the date, send in your registration, grab your favorite purse, and don't miss the "Power of the Purse" conference!

For more details and registration forms, please see the documents listed above. Please be aware that separate registrations are needed for some events, so read the forms carefully. Register today!