Big Sandy Women’s Business Symposium scheduled for Feb. 23

Will be held in Prestonsburg

MOREHEAD, Ky. (Feb. 8, 2016) — The 17th Annual Big Sandy Women’s Business Symposium will be held on Feb. 23, at the Wilkinson-Stumbo Convention Center in Prestonsburg. The theme of this year’s conference is “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.

Two keynote speeches will be given, “Circuitous Routes to Success” by Dianne Leveridge, and “Laugh, Change, Conquer” by Sally Baskey.

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 U.S., 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 in 2015.

During her 25-year management career with a major oil company Baskey made a big impact on marketing, customer service, human resources, telecommunications, public relations, and employee communications. She is the past president of the North Texas chapter of the National Speaker’s Association. She holds the designation of CSP — Certified Speaking Professional.

Maranda Finney, an aspiring singer and songwriter, will provide the entertainment. She recently won the 2015 Big Sandy Idol Regional competition, which included a full scholarship to Big Sandy Community and Technical College and full album recording through the college’s studio.

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.