Woman-owned businesses in Bexar and surrounding counties will get the opportunity to get connected with corporate purchasers, governmental agencies, and other women business owners at the 2008 Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance ConnectionsLink San Antonio Expo.

The event will be held Feb. 28, 2008, at the Norris Conference Center from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will include a breakfast workshop, a networking luncheon, and Expo. The Expo will include exhibitors from corporations, government agencies, and women-owned businesses.

This is the first event hosted by the Houston-headquartered WBEA since it opened a satellite office in San Antonio at the beginning of the year.

According to WBEA Executive Director, Susan Repka: “San Antonio has amazing potential for women in business. We are bringing the things we learned in Houston to San Antonio to help these women business owners strengthen their network and make the most of their business opportunities.”

“Many of our members have offices in this area and have a difficult time making it to Houston for our events,” Repka said. “This new office will offer more opportunities for our San Antonio members, and will allow our organization to spread the word about how we can help women in this area grow their businesses.”

The WBEA has provided nationally-recognized certification as woman-owned to businesses at least 51% woman–owned in the San Antonio area for over ten years. This certification is recognized and required by most major corporations and governmental agencies as a purchasing criterion in their supplier diversity programs.

The WBEA will host a variety of networking and educational opportunities in the city throughout 2008 and beyond.

“We’re excited about having more events in this area for women business owners because there will be more opportunities for them to get to know other owners and make connections with people in the local community,” Repka said.

The number of women owned businesses in San Antonio continues to grow. The Center for Women’s Business Research reports that the city has over 41,000 women-owned businesses that generate over $6.3 billion in sales.

As an affiliate of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, the WBEA provides certification services for 94 south Texas counties, and has over 650 women-owned business members.