The Midwest Women Business Owners’ Conference (MWBOC), a semi-annual event presented by business consulting and coaching organization, Black Dress Partners, and premier accounting firm and title sponsor, Anders CPAs + Advisors, will take place on Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM at The Ritz-Carlton in St. Louis.

The conference’s third year comes on the heels of being selected as one of the top three events of the year by the 2017 Stevie Awards for Women in Business. The Stevie Awards, an international competition, received more than 1,500 nominations in 25 nations for consideration in various categories.

“It was an honor to receive such an esteemed award and to know that the value we provide is of the same caliber as the world’s top events for women in business,” said Erin Joy, Producer of MWBOC and CEO of Black Dress Partners. “As a Stevie Award winner, we’re confident that this year’s event will unite women business owners in a more powerful way than ever.”

The educational, interactive event is expected to bring more than 400 of the region’s most influential women business leaders together to discuss crowdsourced, relevant, provocative business topics. The agenda is packed with high performers and regional influencers sharing invaluable insights including:

• True Stories: 1:1 Interviews with Entrepreneurs from Start-Up to Scale featuring Samantha Rudolph, Co-Founder & CEO, Babyation; Marissa Q. Paine, Principal, Painefree Coaching & Consulting; Teresa Katubig, Owner, HireLevel; Lorri Ripplemeyer, Partner, Anders CPAs + Advisors; and Linda Haberstroeh, President, Phoenix Textile Corporation.
• Entrepreneurial Empowerment: A Fresh Approach to Business and Personal Success featuring Erin Joy.
• Leadership: Defining, Communicating, and Executing Your Vision featuring Diane Butrus, Chief Operating Officer, Diba Imports, LP; Andrea Arco, President & Founder, Arco and Associates; Erin Joy; Zoe Robinson, Restauranteur & Entrepreneur, Zoe, Inc.; and Rolanda Finch, Founder, It’s Your Birthday, Inc.
• Get on My Case: A Collaborative Business Performance Challenge featuring Erin Joy; Joan Newman, Founder & Master Coach, Joan Newman & Associates; Georgina Randazzo, CEO, Facilitec Corporate Furnishings; and Devika Christie, Entrepreneur, No Leash Needed.

The conference has more than 20 sponsors, including Anders CPAs & Advisors, Arco + Associates, MonetaGroup, and SmithAundsen.

Breakfast, lunch, and a networking cocktail hour are included in ticket prices. Event tickets can be purchased at www.mwboc.eventbrite.com.