The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a Public Service and Outreach unit of the University of Georgia, announces a virtual, online business conference created to support the Central Georgia business community. The conference, Women of Business 2020: Going the Distance, takes place on Thursday, October 22, 2020, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is available at no-cost to registered participants. 

The UGA SBDC and Macon Magazine have partnered to present this first-ever conference. The Women of Business 2020 virtual conference takes place live on Zoom and features multiple panels of leading business women sharing their stories and insights on their businesses, careers and community. This daylong business program was created to provide an interactive educational opportunity for participants, packed with pro-tips, small business resources and personal, professional experiences from the panelists.

The conference is also being launched with the intention to be an annual event. This year’s conference focuses on “Going the Distance” despite the disruptions of social distancing. Various panels will feature business disruptors, women who are crushing their careers by diversifying the workforce. Other panels include sessions on powering up your business assets, pandemic wellness and resilience and corporate marketing and communications.

“Last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that of the workers who left the labor force, 865,000 — or 80% — were women,” said Lisa Rackley, area director of the UGA SBDC in Macon. “We are proud to partner with Macon Magazine so this conference serves as an opportunity for businesswomen to connect, even if virtually, and lean on, learn from and elevate each other as a strong and resilient workforce community.” 

To register, as well as learn more about the panelists, agenda and conference details, visit www.GeorgiaSBDC.org/Macon-Office. You may also contact Trudy Lawrence at (478) 757-3609 or email; [email protected].