The Greater Women’s Business Council, the largest provider of certification and development resources for women business enterprises in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, has secured award-winning humanitarian Theresa Carrington as keynote speaker at its 2017 Power of Partnering Marketplace conference.

Carrington is the founder of The Blessing Basket Project and inventor of the Prosperity Wages and Graduate from Poverty models. Her innovative models, using the power of story, have proven to end poverty and fuel entrepreneurship in developing economies. Theresa also invented Artisan&You, the world’s largest artisan engagement technology.

“We’re beyond thrilled to have Theresa as our keynote speaker this year,” said Roz Lewis, president & CEO of GWBC.  “Theresa is a true visionary, whose innovative approach allowed her to identify the tipping point from poverty to prosperity, sparking entrepreneurship in developing countries. She’s a globally recognized social entrepreneur and a tremendous addition to our conference this year.”

Carrington also is co-founder of Millennials123, which works with Fortune 100 brands to attract, retain and inspire millennial employees and consumers. In working with top brands, Carrington uses the same storytelling techniques that have proven to help empower women to amplify their voice and exit poverty in developing countries.

Theresa is an 11 time Mid America Emmy Award winner and uses her 20 years of experience as an investigative journalist to uncover the many attributes and histories of a company that are often unknown or overlooked.

“It’s these stories that help create pride in employees, particularly the job-hopping millennial, while also raising awareness about a company’s social responsibility to consumers, intuitional investors and the public at large,” said Carrington.

Carrington will be the featured keynote during the Power Luncheon at the Aug. 24 GWBC POP Marketplace conference, an annual event that brings together hundreds of women entrepreneurs, business leaders, corporations and procurement professionals to extend their partnerships, enrich their networks and showcase their products and services. Meghan Packer, CBS46 news anchor, will serve as mistress of ceremonies.           

The conference delivers two-days of invaluable engagement, training, innovative thinking and tangible takeaways – all designed to enrich the diverse business needs and goals of GWBC’s roster of attendees.  GWBC, a regional partner organization of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), covers Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, among the top states of the fastest growing number of women businesses in the country.

The two-day conference kicks-off with the WAVE Golf Tournament on August 23 at East Lake Golf Club, and culminates on August 24 with the Power of Partnering Marketplace conference at the Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart.           

Event Overview

Day One – Aug. 23

The WAVE Scholarship Golf Tournament is held at the exclusive and historic East Lake Country Club. Participants enjoy golf and networking, while raising money for scholarships for WBEs to attend advance learning and development institutions.

Day Two – Aug. 24

The Power of Partnering Marketplace conference delivers critical value to certified women business enterprises and corporate members and features breakout sessions and workshops, including the Meet the Buyer procurement activity, a panel discussion on cyber security, and workshops topics on intellectual property, business etiquette and social media.  

The POP Marketplace Power Luncheon will feature keynote speaker Theresa Carrington and mistress of ceremonies, Meghan Packer, CBS46 news anchor.

Sponsors and corporate partners will network with WBE attendees as they experience the Marketplace Expo, business/life balance activities and partner booths.