Conference attracts local businesswomen

Registrations are now being taken for the Cooney Lees Morgan Regional Business Women's Conference to be held in Tauranga at the end of May.

Organiser Anne Pankhurst of the Chamber of Commerce said 150 women were expected to attend.

Speakers include Kathryn Wilson of Kathryn Wilson Shoes and Nicola Bell, the New Zealand chief executive of Saatchi & Saatchi.

"There are a range of local businesses from women in brewing, to women in beauty.

"We have a real mix of businesses and attendees include small business owners, solicitors, accountants, as well as women who are looking to start up a business and looking to network."

Mrs Pankhurst said that a mix of inspiration and practical advice was on the agenda.

"The theme is 'Catalyst 2013 - channelling change', with an emphasis on women in business as innovators and entrepreneurs, and on making businesses more productive."

She said she was looking forward, in particular, to the workshop on breaking into the export market.