On Behalf of the WBEA Board of Directors, welcome to the 2011 WBEA EXPO! This year has started fast for WBEA and I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of our current strategies and some of the things that we have already accomplished in 2011 that align with these strategies.

2011-2013 STRATEGIES

· Maximize Business Development through efforts to increase retention of Corporate and WBE members.
· Operational Excellence through improved communication between the Board and the committees.
· Accelerated New Income Streams through our grant writing efforts.
· Build Innovative Training programs that include a focus on the needs of more experienced WBE members.
· Improved Marketing & Communication through establishment of an on-staff marketing position and a structured communication plan.
· WBE Membership Drive through improved offerings to our current and potential members.

2011 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

· Women’s Business Center (WBC) Program Director was hired and is developing the new training programs that the WBC will offer.
· Added 50 new WBE members in the first quarter of 2011.
· Improvements in retention rate of existing WBE members with an 87.18% retention in January.
· We have added six New Corporate Memberships since January.
· Committees now meet with the Board of Directors at least twice a year.
· Committee meetings are now held at new WBEA office.
· Improvements to our website including membership database.
· Formal Communications Plan is under development.

While we still have many things to get done this year, I hope you share my enthusiasm for the progress we are making. Thank you for all of your support for the WBEA and especially all of our volunteers. We would not be successful without your help.

Sincerely,

Kelly R. Mortensen

President-WBEA Board of Directors

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