Strategies for the Economic Rebound: Bay Area Firms Support Forum for Women Entrepreneurs'...

Lifestyle Editors/Calendar Editors/City Desks

SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 2003

Nine Bay Area businesses and organizations are "walking the talk" when it comes to promoting executive opportunities for women entrepreneurs. According to Susan Hailey, CEO

of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE), Comerica, Cooley Godward LLP, Golden Gate University, New Business Strategies, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Pillsbury Winthrop LLP, Sevin Rosen Funds, Studio North and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati have all signed on as sponsors for the Beyond 2003: FWE CEO Summit to be held on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2003, at the Hotel Sofitel San Francisco Bay in Redwood City, Calif.

"For the last 10 years, FWE has continuously provided networking opportunities for women who are building, managing, and investing in ground-breaking companies," said Hailey. "To have attracted sponsorship commitments from this diverse group of organizations tells us that the spirit of entrepreneurship in the valley is going strong. We are pleased and grateful for their generous support."

The summit, an exclusive 2-day event for CEOs, executives, and investors, will offer 15 different sessions led by as many as 30 influential CEOs, leading venture capitalists, journalists, corporate attorneys and strategists, all focused on preparing companies for success in the coming economic rebound.

"Though slower than many of us would like, the economy is turning around," said Christine Crandell, conference chair and president of New Business Strategies in Los Gatos, Calif. "But surviving the economic downturn does not necessarily equate to success in the rebound. The time to reposition and structure your company for growth and success is right now -- not when demand picks up."

The Beyond 2003: FWE CEO Summit is the second annual conference hosted by FWE whose mission is to support women who are building and leading high-growth technology and life science companies.

For registration and more information, visit the FWE Web site at http://www.fwe.org. Discounted early-bird registration is available until Sept. 12, 2003.

About FWE

Founded in 1993, the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) celebrates its 10-year anniversary as the premier networking organization for women building and leading high-growth technology and life sciences companies. FWE's mission is to accelerate women's opportunities to start, manage and invest in market-leading companies by providing its members with powerful access to powerful networks. FWE has headquarters in the Bay Area and has affiliates in Seattle, Southern California, Canada and France. From 1999 through 2002, FWE members raised over $1.4 billion for their businesses nationwide.

For corporate information about FWE conference sponsors see:

Comerica: http://www.comerica.com; Cooley Godward LLP: http://www.cooley.com; Golden Gate University: http://www.ggu.edu; New Business Strategies: http://www.newbizs.com; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP: http://www.orrick.com; Pillsbury Winthrop LLP: http://www.pillsburywinthrop.com; Sevin Rosen Funds: http://www.srfunds.com; Studio North: http://www.studionorth.info; Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati: http://www.wsgr.com