Sheila Johnson, Robin Roberts and Suzy Welch to Headline Women's Business Enterprise National Council 11th Annual Women in Business National Conference and Business Fair in Baltimore June 22-24

WASHINGTON, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Three globally-recognized women and iconic leaders in business and media will headline the Women's Business Enterprise National Council's (WBENC) 11th Annual Women in Business National Conference and Business Fair with the 2010 theme The Opportunity Connection.

They are:

• Sheila Johnson, visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist and CEO of the luxury properties company Salamander Hospitality, LLC
• Robin Roberts, award-winning journalist, anchor of ABC's Good Morning America and breast cancer awareness advocate
• Suzy Welch, best-selling author, popular television commentator, and business journalist

These exemplary women will inspire the audience of over 2,500 corporate executives and women business leaders at the largest event of its kind for Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs) in the nation, taking place June 22-24, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland.

"Sheila Johnson, Robin Roberts and Suzy Welch have each in her own extraordinary way influenced women to lead successful, educated lives and will provide inspiration to our audience," said Linda Denny, president and CEO of WBENC, the leading advocate for, and authority on, women's business enterprises as suppliers to the world's major corporations.

The three days of robust business-building opportunities and forward-looking workshops make the Annual Women in Business National Conference and Business Fair a must-attend event.  High profile corporate speakers include representatives of Conference Co-Chairs Johnson & Johnson Chief Procurement Officer Mark Guinan and Omega World Travel President and CEO Gloria Bohan.

WBENC brings together its nearly 10,000 WBENC Certified WBEs and its more than 250 Corporate Members, with the goal of generating business together.  WBENC's 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) deliver WBENC's gold standard of certification as well as skills-building and business-generating events throughout the U.S.

The Host Council is the Women Presidents' Educational Organization-DC.  The East Coast Host Committee members are certified through the Women Presidents' Educational Organization with headquarters in New York, NY and Washington, DC.  Through its combined territories, WPEO provides full service third party certification to women entrepreneurs in Washington, DC; Maryland, and Virginia, as well as New York, Northern New Jersey (including Princeton and points North), and Southern Connecticut.

About the Keynote Speakers:

Sheila Johnson, visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist, CEO of the award-winning luxury properties company Salamander Hospitality, LLC, will keynote at the Kickoff Luncheon on Tuesday, June 22.  As President & Managing Partner of the Women's National Basketball Association's Washington Mystics, and a partner in Lincoln Holdings, LLC, Ms. Johnson is the first African-American woman to have a stake in three professional sports teams, including the Washington Wizards (National Basketball Association) and the Washington Capitals (National Hockey League). She is Global Ambassador for CARE, the humanitarian organization fighting global poverty by empowering women.

Robin Roberts is anchor of ABC's Good Morning America.  Under her leadership, the broadcast has won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning program.  A versatile and trusted journalist, Ms. Roberts has conducted headline-making interviews with subjects such as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and has traveled extensively to places such as Africa for a first-hand look at the AIDS crisis.  Robin shared her courageous battle with breast cancer on national television and has become an outspoken advocate for breast cancer awareness and early detection.

Suzy Welch is a best-selling author, popular television commentator, and noted business journalist.  Her New York Times bestselling book, 10-10-10: A Life Transforming Idea, presents a powerful decision-making strategy for success at work and in parenting, love and friendship and is now published in 29 countries.  Ms. Welch is a contributor for ABC's Good Morning America, has written extensively for publications ranging from O, The Oprah Magazine to The Wall Street Journal, and is a popular television commentator.

More than 330 exhibitors, including procurement decision makers from the Fortune 500, are expected to participate in the Business Fair on June 23 held at The Baltimore Convention Center.  Conference activities will take place at the Hilton Baltimore.  For more information and to register for WIB2010, visit the event website at http://www.wbenc.org/wib2010/.

SOURCE Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)