Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) to Launch Fifth Canadian Chapter

VANCOUVER, CA – The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) will host a Vancouver chapter kickoff reception on Wednesday, May 23 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Terminal City Club, located at 837 West Hastings St.

The WPO has been active in Canada for five years and currently boasts five WPO chapters, including Montreal, Toronto and the new Vancouver chapter. This rapid expansion is indicative of the remarkable growth that women-owned businesses are experiencing in Canada and the US. Across Canada, 47% of businesses are women-owned. As of 2006, there are an estimated 84,937 privately held, women-owned firms in Vancouver, accounting for 31.5% of all privately held firms in the metropolitan area, generating $12 billion in sales and employing 60,582 people.

The WPO is a nonprofit membership organization for a diverse group of women presidents who have guided their businesses to at least $2 million in gross annual sales (or $1 million for a service-based business). All interested women presidents who qualify are invited to attend the reception. Call Barbara Mowat at 1-800-672-0103 or e-mail her at barbara.mowat@impactcommunicationsltd.com to receive an invitation or for further information.

Quotes:

“WPO is what I do for ME! The wealth of experience and insight in one room of women presidents’ helps me work on my business rather than in it, empowers me as a leader, and revitalizes my business goals,” said Margaret Hachey, Duocom Canada Inc., WPO Toronto Founding Member, Ranked #11 by Profit Magazine’s Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs of Canada (2006)

“I am involved in other international business organizations and I was very impressed with the recent WPO conference I attended in Phoenix. As an owner of a design & brand innovation company whose business is growing as demand for design thinking in business increases, I feel that joining the WPO chapter will be a great opportunity to focus on my business and connect with other business owners. So I am very much looking forward to being part of breaking new ground in Vancouver for the WPO.” Ronna Chisholm, President, dossiercreative inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada

“We look forward to incredible synergy between the three Pacific Northwest chapters which include Portland, Seattle and Vancouver. Through the WPO, members are able to build international business connections, learn from their peers across North America and act on opportunities for trade,” said Christy Martin, WPO Seattle Marketing Facilitator.

“Our membership is comprised of influential, powerful women who have tremendous economic impact. We are intensely proud of the inspired growth of the WPO in Canada and the women who made it happen,” said Dr. Marsha Firestone, President and Founder of the WPO.

Canadian Facilitator Contacts:
Vancouver Toronto Montreal
Barbara Mowat Fran Kennedy Susan Boland
Information above 519-782-7884 514-938-9527
frances@divinemadness.ca sboland@videotron.ca

Related Links:
http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com

News Facts:
· The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) will host a Vancouver chapter kickoff reception on Wednesday, May 23 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Terminal City Club, located at 837 West Hastings Street.
· The WPO is a nonprofit membership organization for a diverse group of women presidents who have guided their businesses to at least $2 million in gross annual sales (or $1 million for a service-based business).
· The WPO has been active in Canada for five years and currently boasts five WPO chapters, including Montreal, Toronto and the new Vancouver chapter.
· Canadian Women Presidents where there are no existing chapters can still benefit from WPO through the At-Large Membership. As chapters are added in their area, members-at-large will be offered the first spot as a founding member. Call any of the Canadian facilitators.


About Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO):
The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) locally and internationally connects top women entrepreneurs at the million and multimillion-dollar level ($2 million in gross annual sales or $1 million for service-based business) for greater personal and professional success. In monthly meetings across the US and Canada, chapters composed of 20 accomplished women presidents from diverse industries and backgrounds invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. For more information, call 212-688-4114 or visit http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com.