Events

July 20th, 2011 - Microsoft Corporation Building 37

Microsoft is a secure campus & pre-registration is rquired for this event. Visitor parking available. Bring your photo ID and vehicle detiails to register your car with the Building 37 Receptionist. (Building 37 Receptionist Tel: 425 -706-2369) Shuttle service from The Redmond Marriott to Microsoft is available.

Agenda

7:30 - 09:00am Registration

8:00am -  Successful Government Contracting Workshop for Corporations

-  Mary Jo Juarez, Astra Board Member, Native American PTAC, and former NAVFAC Small Business Program Director &  Carol McIntyre, Army Corps of Engineers

Learn tips to increase your efficiencies in government contracting for your corporation. Hear perspectives from a professional career  government procurement specialist about putting your best foot forward in addressing the government’s diversity goals for your contracts. Mary Jo has helped companies save thousands of dollars through conducting small business program audits on behalf of major corporations and offered solutions to improve their programs.You won’t want to miss her advice for you and your team to be even more successful in your pursuit of contracts with the largest consumer, the Federal government. 

9:00 - 9:15am Welcome Remarks

-  Fernando Hernandez,  Supplier Diversity Director, Global Procurement Group, Microsoft Corporation

-  Diane McClelland, Astra President/CEO, Sandy Winston & Julia Winnicki, Compusave Strategic Alliance & Kristina Roth, Matisia, Astra Leadership Forum Chairs- Washington State

9:15 -10:30am Vested Outsourcing Workshop

 - Kate Vitasek, Vested Outsourcing

For both corporations and WBEs workshop attendees, to help gain a better understanding of the new philosophies of Vested Outsourcing being utilized by major corporations today. Author, educator and business consultant Kate Vitasek has codified the game-changing rules for how to procure outsourced services. She'll share her research and insights on why the Vested Outsourcing approach works; the 10 “perverse incentives” from conventional outsourcing approaches; and 5 rules that will transform how you outsource.  

10:30 -11:00am - Networking Break

11:00 -11:30 - Astra State of the Union

- Astra Board of Directors

Hear about the 2011 Initiative Plug In. Power Up. and how these three programs of capacity-building, global expansion and government contracting will help grow your business to the next level.

11:30am -12:00pm Networking Break

12:00 - 2:00pm Astra Women’s Business Alliance 15th Annual Awards Luncheon

 - Jane Applegate, The Applegate Group

Jane Applegate, renowned author and newscaster, will be the keynote speaker at the 15th Annual Workshop & Awards Luncheon on July 20th, sponsored by Microsoft, Chevron, AT&T and The Boeing Company. Plus, celebrate the successes of fellow WBEs and outstanding corporations.

2:00 - 3:30pm Export Resources for Taking Your Business Global

- Panel discussion moderated by Marianne Strobel, AT&T and Astra Global Chair, Diane Mooney, U.S. Export Assistance Center- Seattle, Sam Kaplan, Seattle Trade Alliance, Hannah Kain, Alom Technologies, Natalie Campbell, Export Finance Center

Ready to take on the world? Our experts in global business will provide the best practices that can help make the process less intimidating — and more profitable. Hear about the free trade policies and strategies to consider in expanding your company globally and your ability to access information and expertise poised ready to help you.

3:30 - 4:30pm  Pitching to Major Corporations

- Panel moderated by Fernando Hernandez, Microsoft: Diane Lin, Supplier Diversity Director,Starbucks, Brian Moynihan, REI, Marie Tillich, State Farm Insurance and Joel Gillespie, Alaska Airlines.

Gain insights and learn tips from some of the top companies in the Pacific Northwest about strategies for success.

5:00 - 7:00pm Microsoft Museum and Company Store

Walk through the doors of the Microsoft Visitor Center and you are surrounded by the sights, sounds, and demonstrations of the same idea: Microsoft believes that everyone in the world has potential and that great software can help you realize that potential. Step across the hall from the Museum and enter the Company Store offering  releases of new Microsoft products to great wearables to cool gadgets and gizmos. Special Discounts are available for conference attendees.

Accommodation is not included: Check Expedia, Orbitz or Kayak for hotel options in Redmond, Washington for these dates. (Hotel Update 7.1.11: Rooms available near the Marriott Town Center at Silver Cloud (425) 746-8200 and Redmond Inn (800) 634-8080.

Registration for this event is closed.  Sign up now for our EXPO & Matchmakers September 22nd.

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