Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) Hosts Ribbon Cutting to Kick-Off Annual Conference in Support of Women Business Owners in Greater Texas

Media Alert & Photo Opportunity

When:               Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 8:30 am central time

Where:             Reliant Center, Exhibit Hall A foyer

Parking is available in the Orange Lot, through McNee Gate #10.

Why:                 To kick-off the 2013 WBEA Annual Conference that supports woman-owned businesses.

“This conference kick-off is indicative of the importance of supplier diversity to Texas business and the important role that woman-owned businesses play in our economy,” WBEA President April Day said

Agenda: A short ceremony will begin at 8:30 am with WBEA President April Day welcoming attendees. A five-minute video about WBEA’s membership will be played to engage the audience in WBEA’s history and strong future.

As a top sponsor of the conference, Chevron’s Jennifer Guo will take a few minutes to speak about why Chevron is sponsoring the conference and its dedication to supplier diversity.

WBEA President Day will also recognize the city officials in attendance. Those officials expected to attend include Council Members Helena Brown, Stephen Costello and Larry Green. Chief of Staff Graci Garces representing Council Member James G. Rodriguez also plans to attend.

The event ribbon will be cut to conclude the ceremony and attendees will be invited to peruse the exhibit hall, where more than 100 companies dedicated to supplier diversity will be staffing booths.

Cox Media Group Houston is the official media sponsor of the 2013 WBEA Annual Conference.

About the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA)

As an affiliate of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the WBEA serves as a third-party certifying organization for women-owned business enterprises (WBEs) in south Texas.  Businesses that are at least 51% owned & controlled by a woman as outlined by WBENC standards and procedures are eligible for this certification — a designation that is not only recognized but required by most major corporations and governmental agencies as purchasing criteria. WBEA is 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.

For more details, please visit the WBEA web site at www.wbea-texas.org. Reporters are encouraged to attend the event or contact Megan F. Salch at 832-256-6676.

Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) Helps Local Women Prepare for Successful Careers through Dress for Success Houston and Educational Workshops

Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) Helps Local Women
Prepare for Successful Careers through Dress for Success Houston
and Educational Workshops

HOUSTON— Tuesday, April 16, 2013 — The Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) is gearing up for its annual conference in an unconventional way. WBEA President April Day has asked its 750 members to donate at least one article of business clothing to the local chapter of Dress for Success. Dress for Success Houston promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

“While planning our annual conference, we have kept in mind that women nationwide statistically earn less than men despite performing the same jobs. We want to help women at all levels of business excel,” WBEA President April Day said. “WBEA members are women business owners who are creating stable jobs and are dedicated to helping women―from this clothing drive to our conference’s educational workshops.”

WBEA will be accepting clothing donations from members at its offices through Monday, April 29, 2013. WBEA members and nonmembers are also encouraged to drop off donations at Dress for Success Houston at 3310 Eastside St., Houston, TX 77098. WBEA’s board of directors will roll up their sleeves to deliver the collected donations and participate in a guided tour of the DFSH facility on Tuesday, April 30 at 10 am.

As another way to help women in business, WBEA is hosting business workshops and a plenary session geared to taking professionals’ skills to an advanced level. Women entrepreneurs and business owners are invited to register online for WBEA’s conference workshops on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, and to attend the Business Exhibit Hall and Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 16, 2013. The conference workshop topics include:

• ·The 411 on Federal Contracting by Valerie Coleman,
• ·Why Your Networking Isn’t Working by Linda Ballesteros,
• ·Using Social Media to Attract Top Talent by Christine Hollinden,
• ·Energy Drink for the Soul…The 1st Sip by Jennifer Dean,
• ·Simple Tips for Owner’s– Workplace Laws & Your Business by Lindsey Everson, and
• ·Turning Strangers into VIP Clients by Tonya Hoffman.

Other workshop topics include:

• ·Funding for Federal Contracts and Treasury Bonds, presented by Wells Fargo and the Small Business Administration (SBA),
• ·Negotiating Tactics for the Women Business Owner, and
• ·Healthcare Reform and the Impact on Small Businesses.

Additional details about WBEA’s Annual Conference are online at www.wbea-texas.org  or on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/TexasWBEA. All admission tickets are available for purchase online with discounts ending May 8, 2013.

About the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA)

As an affiliate of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the WBEA serves as a third-party certifying organization for women-owned business enterprises (WBEs) in south Texas.  Businesses that are at least 51% owned & controlled by a woman as outlined by WBENC standards and procedures are eligible for this certification — a designation that is not only recognized but required by most major corporations and governmental agencies as purchasing criteria. WBEA is 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.

Reporters: Please contact Megan F. Salch at 832-256-6676.

Tejas Office Products to be Recognized as 2013 Top Small Business Supporting the Jacobs ESCG Contract in Area of Operating Supplies

Tejas Office Products to be Recognized as 2013 Top Small Business Supporting the Jacobs ESCG Contract in Area of Operating Supplies

HOUSTON— Monday, April 15, 2013 — Tejas Office Products recently learned that it will be recognized at an award ceremony as a small business that supports the Jacobs ESCG contract. The distinction supports Jacobs ESCG’s supplier diversity program and Tejas will be recognized in the category of operating supplies.

The award ceremony will be held at 1 pm central time on Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at Jacobs ESCG’s office located at 2224 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, Texas 77058.

“We’re honored to be recognized by Jacobs and happy to support its supplier diversity needs,” Tejas President Stephen M. Fraga said. “We, of course, appreciate the opportunity to work with Jacobs and provide its office supplies.”

Tejas holds various certifications to help its vendors and customers meet the needs of their supplier diversity programs.

About Jacobs

Winner of the prestigious NASA George M. Low Award for outstanding quality and performance, Jacobs is recognized in the industry for its dedication to excellence, safety, and customer service. With a track record of delivering projects on time and on budget, Jacobs’ highly skilled and innovative workforce provides expertise, products, and services in engineering design, development, and testing, as well as scientific research and analysis, to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Priorities for space exploration may change but Jacobs’ commitment to ensuring NASA advances the scientific and exploratory goals of the nation remains firm. Learn more at https://whsfy.escg.jacobs.com.

About Tejas Office Products

Since 1962, Tejas Office Products has provided its customers with high quality office products. Its 25,999 square-foot warehouse is centrally located in the Houston Heights

area. From next day delivery of office products and department distribution to stock room management, Tejas Office Products makes your business day easier. For more information, please visit www.TejasOffice.com or call 713-864-6004 or 800-593-6004.

For media inquiries, contact Megan F. Salch at 832-256-6676.

Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) Partners with Women’s Business Center and U.S. Small Business Administration to Drive Business in Texas

Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) Partners with Women’s Business Center and U.S. Small Business Administration to Drive Business in Texas

Women Business Owners Build Capabilities and Connections at WBEA Conference May 15-16, 2013

HOUSTON— Tuesday, April 9, 2013 — Women business owners and leaders looking for ways to build their businesses should take note of the latest offerings from the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA). As part of its annual conference this spring, WBEA has teamed up with the Houston Galveston Women’s Business Center (WBC) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to bring valuable resources to new and growing businesses.

“WBEA has extended its network to help women-business enterprises in their endeavors to grow,” WBEA President April Day said. “The Women’s Business Center and the Small Business Administration are natural extensions of WBEA and we’re excited that they’re returning to our annual conference to engage, energize and empower our conference attendees.”

WBC will welcome and advise conference attendees at booth #428, while the U.S. SBA will welcome visitors at booth #824. Together, these two organizations will provide a wide array of trainings, mentors and advisors that conference attendees can use to impact the bottom line.

WBEA and its new leader April Day have assembled a spectacular line-up for this year’s conference, drawing new and familiar faces to the even`t. For instance, KPRC Local 2′s Amy Davis will be the emcee for the conference luncheon on Thursday, May 16 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm. Katrina Katsarelis, the founder, editor-in-chief, and publisher of Katy Magazine, Sugar Land Magazine, and Cy-Fair Magazine will deliver the keynote address. Katsarelis will energize the audience with ways to successfully market women-owned businesses with any size budget. During the pre-conference luncheon on May 15, attorney and business owner Nelda Luce Blair will discuss how to grow your business in any economy.

Kristin Rickett, principal with Collaborative Engineering Group, looks forward to the conference each year. “The workshops are very informative and geared to helping every business no matter what phase of life your business is in. I enjoy the networking and the Expo the most,” Rickett said. “What a great opportunity to not only meet other women business owners, but to visit with government agencies and corporations that in turn help you grow your business.”

Additional details about WBEA’s Annual Conference, scheduled for May 15-16, 2013, at Reliant Center, can be found online at http://bit.ly/Zocd1A or on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/TexasWBEA. Exhibit hall tickets start at $30 and a two-day event ticket starts at $220. All admission tickets are available for purchase online with discounts ending May 8, 2013.

About the Houston Galveston Women’s Business Center (WBC)

The Houston Galveston Women’s Business Center (WBC) provides support to entrepreneurs in education, scholarships, and matchmaking with corporate contracting offices. We are committed to inspiring and empowering women who want to start or expand their business. The WBC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and housed within the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance. The Houston Galveston Women’s Business Center does not exclude men from services although the primary targets are women who desire to start their own business.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

About the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA)

As an affiliate of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the WBEA serves as a third-party certifying organization for women-owned business enterprises (WBEs) in south Texas.  Businesses that are at least 51% owned by a woman and meet specific criteria as outlined by WBENC standards and procedures are eligible for this certification — a designation that is not only recognized but required by most major corporations and governmental agencies as a purchasing criteria.

Reporters: Please contact Megan F. Salch at 832-256-6676.

Heights Chamber of Commerce Extends Discount Ticket Deadline and Publishes Agenda for Annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights on Saturday, April 6, 2013

Heights Chamber of Commerce Extends Discount Ticket Deadline and Publishes Agenda for Annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights on Saturday, April 6, 2013

HOUSTON— Tuesday, April 2, 2013 — With good weather planned for this weekend, the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce is set for its annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights, scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2013, from 11 am – sunset. Sponsored by Yahoo! Sports Radio 1560 AM and ESPN 97.5 FM radio stations, the Festival is a family-friendly event with activities for all ages.

“By publishing the festival’s line-up, we hope Houstonians will plan their weekend to spend a few hours or the whole day at the Crawfish Festival in the Heights,” said Mickey Blake, chairwoman of the Heights Chamber Board of Directors.

11 am               Festival Opens

11:15 am          Houston Choral Showcase kicks off event with musical arrangement

12:30–5 pm       Steve Krase & The In Crowd play live music

3 pm                 Car show awards announced

3-5 pm             Door prizes collection tent open

5 pm                 Idol of the Heights singing competition finale and winner selected

6 pm                 Raffle winner of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra announced

Sunset               Festival closes

Individuals ready to take a chance at winning a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, sponsored by North Freeway Hyundai and the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce, can purchase raffle tickets online for $10 each. The lucky winner also has the option of applying the value of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra toward the purchase of another Hyundai car available at North Freeway Hyundai in Houston. The winner does not need to be present at the event to win. Raffle tickets can also be purchased by calling the Heights Chamber at 713-861-6735.

Festival attendees are encouraged to buy crawfish food tickets online in advance for $15 each through Thursday, April 4, 2013―a three-day extension on the discounted price! For those who miss the discount deadline but still are interested in purchasing crawfish plates, tickets will be available at the event for $20 on a first come, first served basis. The crawfish food ticket buys three pounds of crawfish, corn and potatoes as well as one drink (soft drink, water or beer). Other festival food such as sausage on a stick, baked potatoes, roasted corn, hot dogs and turkey legs will also be available at the event.

About the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting and developing business and industry beneficial to the economic viability of the greater Houston Heights. Through monthly breakfast presentations, luncheons, expositions and other events, the Chamber works to develop local commerce. The Heights Chamber is located at 545 W. 19^th Street in the Chase Bank building. Learn more by visiting www.HeightsChamber.com.

Reporters: Please contact Megan F. Salch at 832-256-6676.

Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA) Announces Keynote and Plenary Speakers for the Annual Conference in Houston on May 15-16, 2013

HOUSTON— Tuesday, March 26, 2013 — Women business owners are sure to benefit from plenty of business insight at this year’s WBEA Annual Conference, organized by the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA). The line-up of speakers is quickly taking shape with local leaders that combine a passion for women in business with practical know-how.

Headlining as the keynote speaker on Thursday, May 16, 2013, is Katrina Katsarelis, the

Katsarelis will keynote the WBEA Conference on May 16, 2013

founder, editor-in-chief, and publisher of Katy Magazine, Sugar Land Magazine, and Cy-Fair Magazine as well as three Newcomer Guides in these areas. After launching Katy Magazine in 2003, the business quickly grew from a small start-up with one publication to a highly successful publishing company with $2.5 million in annual sales, six area magazines, and 18 employees.

“A big reason small businesses struggle is their failure to market themselves,” WBEA President April Day said. “Katrina Katsarelis will share successful ways to promote your business without breaking the bank.”

WBEA has also secured an exciting speaker for its plenary luncheon on Wednesday, May 15. Nelda Blair is a trained litigator, turned legal

Blair will discuss critical steps for growing your business by utilizing your inherent personal assets.

and political advisor, as well as a television personality. Additionally, Blair serves as a board member of The Woodlands Township and as the 2013 chairperson of the Board of Regents for the University of Houston System, both of which have recently experienced tremendous growth. During her luncheon address, Blair will discuss critical steps for growing your business by utilizing your inherent personal assets.

Additional details about WBEA’s Annual Conference, scheduled for May 15-16, 2013 at Reliant Center, are online at http://bit.ly/Zocd1A or on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/TexasWBEA. Exhibit hall tickets start at $30 and a two-day event ticket starts at $220. All admission tickets are available for purchase online with discounts ending May 8, 2013.

About the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance (WBEA)

As an affiliate of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the WBEA serves as a third-party certifying organization for women-owned business enterprises (WBEs) in south Texas.  Businesses that are at least 51% owned by a woman and meet specific criteria as outlined by WBENC standards and procedures are eligible for this certification — a designation that is not only recognized but required by most major corporations and governmental agencies as a purchasing criteria.

Reporters: Contact Megan Salch at 832-256-6676.

Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts Annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights on Saturday, April 6, 2013

Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts
Annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights on Saturday, April 6, 2013

HOUSTON— Tuesday, March 5, 2013 — The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights to be held Saturday, April 6, from 11 am until sunset. With expected attendance nearing 10,000 people, the Festival will be held at Northwest Mall, located at 9500 Hempstead Highway and Mangum, to accommodate the large crowd.

Save the Date: Saturday, April 6, 2013 from 11 am – sunset for the annual Crawfish Festival in the Heights

“We think this prime location and large, open area will attract even more families and festival goers,” Chamber President Ken Stallman said.

The Festival will include activities for the entire family such as:

• live music by Steve Krase and the In Crowd,
• a Show and Shine car and motorcycle show,
• Shoppers’ Paradise with more than ## vendor booths with items for purchase,
• a kids world with loads of children’s games, rides and activities, and
• the Idol of the Heights singing finale.

“The success of last year’s event fueled our energy to make this year’s festival bigger and better than ever,” Mickey Blake, Heights Chamber chairperson, said. “One of the big changes is the incorporation of the Idol in the Heights song competition with one winner taking home the grand prize of $1,500. The talent is awesome!”

The Idol of the Heights preliminary rounds are being held on Fridays in March. Complete details are available online at http://www.heightschamber.com/crawfish-festival-idol-of-the-heights.

Festival attendees are encouraged to buy crawfish food tickets online in advance for $15 each through April 1, 2013. Crawfish food tickets will be available at the event for $20 on a first come, first served basis. The crawfish food ticket buys three pounds of crawfish, corn and potatoes as well as one drink (soft drink, water or beer). Other festival food will also be available at the event.

Supporters are encouraged to purchase $10 raffle tickets for a chance to win a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, sponsored by North Freeway Hyundai and the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce. Winners do not need to be present at the event to win. Buy raffle tickets online or by calling the Heights Chamber at 713-861-6735.

Win a new 2013 Elantra, sponsored by North Freeway Hyundai and the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce

About the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting and developing business and industry beneficial to the economic viability of the greater Houston Heights. Through monthly breakfast presentations, luncheons, expositions and other events, the Chamber works to develop local commerce. The Heights Chamber is located at 545 W. 19^th Street in the Chase Bank building. Learn more by visiting www.HeightsChamber.com.

Reporters: Please contact Megan F. Salch at 832-256-6676.