Who attended:

Women of all ethnicities, professions and social backgrounds were invited to participate. 
Attendees included:

•  Corporate executives
•  Community Leaders
•  Professionals

Benefits for attending the event:

Keynote speakers shared their knowledge and experiences, providing opportunities for deep personal growth and development.  Each presenter was a catalyst for change, and were committed to advancing and empowering women leaders.

 About the conference:

In 2007, Las Vegas was the site of the first-ever Women of Color Conference hosted by the four local ethnic chambers of commerce – American Indian, Asian, Latin and Urban.  This historic event attracted more than 500 minority women and men who gathered to participate in workshops ranging from health and wellness to personal finance, beauty and self-esteem, career development and leadership skills.

 Debra Nelson, MGM MIRAGE Vice President for Corporate Diversity, Communications and Community Affairs, saw a need for dialogue among minority women in the Las Vegas community.  She approached the chambers of commerce with the idea, and they overwhelmingly agreed.  From there, a day-long event was created to bring women together from across Southern Nevada and beyond.  The goal of the event was to provide leadership, networking and learning opportunities through a variety of workshops.  Additionally, event organizers hoped that the success of the event would lead to it becoming an annual event.

 A planning committee, made up of representatives of the chambers and presenting sponsors, was formed to oversee the development and execution of the event.  The committee included several sub-committees to focus on areas such as finances, logistics, media relations, sponsor relations, and speaker relations.  Also, a website was created so participants could review conference information and register online.

 The day-long program was developed and included a networking breakfast, morning and afternoon workshops, luncheon, roundtable discussion and a mixer.  Panelists that participated in the conference included authors, executives, motivational speakers, community leaders and other various field experts.

 The Women of Color Conference received a tremendous amount of positive response.  Surveys were filled out by conference attendees, rating the conference on quality of speakers, timing of events, relevance of discussion topics, etc.  Overall, attendees felt informed, inspired and looked forward to future events.  The conference attracted participants from around the country, and several attendees have expressed interest in hosting similar events in their local communities.

 Women of all ethnicities, professions and social backgrounds from throughout Nevada and across the country participated in the Women of Color Conference.  Conference attendees included students, young professionals, seasoned executives and business owners in numerous fields and industries.  Perhaps the biggest beneficiary, however, was the Las Vegas community as the conference was a demonstration of the collective power of the local minority chambers of commerce to enact a program that benefited women across the city.

 Comments from the 4th Annual Women of Color Conference:

• Our employees raved about the event; they absolutely loved it! 

• I have learned so much at the conference and I’m excited to put the ideas to use.  I will have this on my calendar for every year.

• The vision I only dared to think about during that first conference has been realized.  I own a management consulting company and I am doing what I am passionate about and enjoy.  I felt the same sense of empowerment and invincibility today as I felt during that very first conference.  It was remarkable feeling to be inspired by so many powerful women, and fellowship with all of the attendees.

• The Conference was well attended and the set up was beautiful.

• I cannot tell you how much this conference has impacted my life.  I woke up this morning with a whole new outlook on how I am going forward with my life.

• In many years of attending so many events, I would have to say that the luncheon yesterday is probably the best one I have ever attended.

• CONGRATULATIONS on such a wonderful conference, it was impressive. 

• Great networking, engaging presenters, organized conference planning evident.

• I have attended this conference for three of the four years of its existence and each year it has gotten better.  This is truly a wonderful and well needed event.

• This conference has been a blessing and confirmation of what I want to accomplish in my life and career.

• Very empowering sessions and excellent opportunity to network, get recharged and be motivated

• This is my 4th year attending the conference and I look forward to attending all future conferences.  The speakers were excellent. I always leave with more knowledge than I came with.

• This was the best ever; I highly recommend that all women attend.

• It was a great experience for me and I will now be a lifelong attendee so please keep me on the mailing list for future announcements.

• The Planning Committee definitely put on an outstanding conference that people will be talking about until the next one comes around again next year. Congratulations on producing a FABULOUS event!

• I too am still deeply moved and inspired by the exposure to an awesome group of women.  I have shared my experience with a number of women who I felt could benefit from the experience.  I am encouraging them to attend next year with me.  Again for providing me with a wonderful opportunity.