By Evalyn Shea, Shea Writing Solutions

Pamperfest in November was a huge hit! Attendees received massages, sampled delectables, learned about skin care and discovered wonderful new products for themselves and others, were thoroughly pampered! The event was so popular that attendees asked for it to be brought back again next fall.

So what is all the fuss about? Third Friday Educational Encounters – brought to you by the WBEA. Educational Encounters are organized and put on by the WBEA Education Committee. After two years of excellent leadership, Sally Smith and Connie Maxfield have turned the reigns over to Angela Malek and Debra Hartsfield.

The education committee has its first meeting for 2007 on January 11th but they already have some goals outlined for the new year. The committee will be continuing to seek input from WBEA members for topics for future events. Early survey results show a strong interest in marketing, and in strategy for growing our businesses.

For the first quarter of 2007 the committee has arranged for just that! As you’ll read elsewhere in this newsletter, in January WBE Mona Draper is returning for another Education Encounter, “Strategic Planning and Your Mission Statement”. In February WBE Germaine Porche will present “CoachLab: Using Coaching Skills to Improve Your Business”, and in March Patty Walters returns with powerful marketing techniques to help us attract our perfect customers.

So who should attend Educational Encounters? “Everyone! You will come away with something to benefit you and your business,” exclaims Angela Malek. Educational Encounters include time for networking, lunch, active participation in applying the topic of presentation. You leave with something you can use in your business that day. And don’t forget, Educational Encounters are great for your employees, and for guests who want to learn more about the benefits of WBEA membership.

The Educational Encounters are made possible in part by the tremendous sponsorship of Chevron. Chevron provides the lunch and the meeting room. In addition, Chevron arranges “Super Sessions” which are half-day sessions with topics designed to assist small businesses in competing in today's global marketplace and to understand how corporations with world-wide operations maintain their World Class supply chain.  “Super Sessions” are tentatively scheduled for May and July this year.

The Education Committee also brings us the three-day MBA class. Look for the class again this spring. The class is limited in size, so watch for the announcement and sign up early.