The Department of Commerce and Investment (DCI) will host its 6th annual Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs (IWE) conference on March 8th at the Marriott Beach Resort.  Kathryn Freeland, founder and chief executive officer of the consulting services firm Freeland and Associates LLC and one of Smart CEO Magazine’s Industry Star recipients for 2011 will be the key note speaker. Local business women Cindy O’Hara and Glenda Dilbert will join her as co-presenters.

Created to inform, motivate and inspire entrepreneurial minded individuals to pursue their dreams of starting a company, the highly anticipated IWE conference also serves as a source of renewed energy and empowerment for those persons who already own their own businesses.  Corporate partners Cayman Airways, Cayman National Bank, Davenport Ltd., Cayman Islands Development Bank, Bodden and Bodden, CIBC First Caribbean Bank, Beacon Furniture, Candles Unlimited and Fidelity see the impact this conference makes each year and have come forward once again with their generous support.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for persons to get together, exchange ideas and learn from their peers, “ says Lesley-Ann Thompson, DCI’s Head of Marketing. “Women look forward to this event every year because it provides them with an unrivalled platform to gain the courage or reassurance they need to break free from the sometimes limiting belief patterns that traditionally hold women back” she further adds.

In addition to building and successfully selling another business prior to opening her consulting firm, Kathryn Freeland also authored the book, Navigating Your Way to Business Success: An Entrepreneur’s Journey. Her key note address will share some of the highlights. The book tells the powerful story of an entrepreneur who decided to be bold and start a company after being passed over for a management position she had aspired to and worked diligently towards for many years. Rather than being given the promotion she deserved, she was asked to train her new boss and that became the motivation she needed to succeed against all odds.

The IWE conference begins at 5:30pm but will be preceded by a min-expo which will get underway at 4pm.  Tickets are on sale now. Please contact the DCI at 945-0943 ext 2282 or 2261 for details.