Our annual Harvesting Partnerships event is just around the corner, and as we approach this popular event for the Council I am reminded of the events that rocked our nation, indeed our world, on the day of our last Harvesting Partnerships – September 11, 2001. During this year our lives have changed forever. Our nation now faces great economic challenges in addition to the devastating losses we’ve endured. Small businesses certainly face greater challenges than ever before. Through it all I’ve seen a commitment on the part of our membership to triumph over adversity. This year’s Harvesting Partnerships event will be an opportunity to come together once again in the spirit of achievement and success. I encourage each of you to come and participate in an event that will not only benefit your business, but also provide you an opportunity to network with peers who share your commitment and challenges.

Vanessa Castagna, Chairman and CEO of JCPenney Stores, Catalog and Internet, will deliver an inspiring luncheon keynote address. And this year we are pleased to welcome the WBENC Board of Directors who will be holding their quarterly meeting in conjunction with Harvesting Partnerships. Corporate supplier diversity managers and women business owners from across the United States will be participating in the luncheon and workshops throughout the day. It’s an added incentive to attend an already value-packed event.

Speaking of value, in the last “Mind Your Business” issue I spoke about the valuable input we received from our Corporate Focus Group held in May. We have turned that input into action in the form of the workshops offered at Harvesting Partnerships this year. There is something for every member of the Council. For new and emerging WBEs we have a workshop entitled “Right From The Start” about choosing corporate buyers to approach, and how to do it. For businesses investigating the value of partnerships and strategic alliances we are offering “Bottom Line Partnerships” where we will learn the do’s and don’ts from successful alliances. And our corporate supplier diversity managers and buyers will want to attend “Seek And Find Your Vendor”, a hands-on computer workshop on utilizing the national database for searches and supplier information.

I encourage you to come to Harvesting Partnerships this year and share in the determination and entrepreneurial spirit that fuels our Council, our region, and our future.