The Tangipahoa Professional Women’s Organization and the university’s Louisiana Small Business Development Center are teaming up to host “Women Mean Business Conference 2018.”

This event is scheduled to take place Thursday, March 22 in the Student Union Ballroom from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Assistant Director of the Louisiana Small Business Development Center Sandy Summers explained some of the things that will be at the conference this year.

“We have three keynote speakers that are going to be talking about a variety of topics," said Summers. "We also have a leadership panel and some other things because this event is about education and empowerment. It is also a fundraiser to provide scholarships for Tangipahoa Parish women.”

The three keynote speakers include university alumna Jacqueline Twillie, North Oaks Marketing Director Shantel Johnson and Communications Specialist Dian Lusher. Johnson will be speaking on prospering and Lusher will be speaking on the topic of, “No Body Likes Change but a Wet Baby.”

The event will feature a silent auction and also have table and vendor sponsorships set up for people to interact with. Another aspect that will be differing from the previous conferences will be lunch entertainment.

“One thing that has changed from last year to this year is the panel,” said Summers. “Last year we did a health and wellness panel, which is great because health is directly tied to your professional success, but we wanted to focus more on leadership this year. So, we’re switching that up a bit.”  

Summers explained why this conference is important in today’s society.

“Right now is kind of a pivotal time for women, we are empowered but I think the more exposure that we have to tools and education and resources will help to take women to the next level,” said Summers. “That includes our female students and professional women in the community as well.”

This conference is free to all students with using the code WMBLIONUP. Normal cost is $40, and onsite registration costs $50.

To go along with the conference, The Tangipahoa Professional Women’s Organization is offering a scholarship that is open to women of Tangipahoa Parish in need of financial assistance in higher education. For more information on how to apply for this scholarship, visit www.TangiPW.org/wmb. The deadline for this scholarship will be April 17.