March 23, 2013

Nevada Congresswomen, Dina Titus, presented the keynote at Urban Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon honoring women leaders in politics and business. Titus shared inspiration, insights, and statistics about women in politics and business with the group at this event held at the Las Vegas Culinary Academy,

Dina Titus said, "In the history of Congress, 12,000 men have served and fewer than 300 women." The number of women in Congress is at a historic level and the women who have been elected are from diverse backgrounds. There are currently " 61 women in The House of Representatives and 20 women in The Senate."

Dina Titus also offered encouragement to those who are on the pathway to leadership and she told the attendees," I have an open door policy" and opportunities for interns in both Las Vegas and Washington D.C. offices.

Titus shared statistics about how businesses "do better when they have women involved." She was clear that we've come a long way in the business world but that women are "under-represented in the category of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. "Only 4% of CEOs of Fortune 500 companies are women," said Dina.

The Urban Chamber of Commerce Las Vegas Chapter honored women making a difference in politics or business as part of their Women's History Month(March) Event Schedule.

The political honorees at Friday's event included two Mayors: Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and North Las Vegas Mayor Shari L.Buck; Two Assemblywomen -Irene Bustamonte Adams and Dina Neal; Henderson Councilwoman- Geri Schroeder;and Clark County Recorder, Debbie Conway.

The businesswomen receiving awards represented non-profits organizations to private corporations in industries such as law , solar energy, event production and management, radio and television broadcasting ,newspaper publishing, fundraising, virtual assistants, and philanthropy.

Dida Clifton, vice president of Nawbosnv.org, owner of The Office Squad, was honored for her success building an company that provides virtual assistants to small businesses.

The women honored included: Patricia Cunningham, Amy Jo Greer, Paula Jackson, Dida Clifton, Deborah Campbell, Gwen Braimoh, Toni Terrell, Rachel Schoener, RoseMcKinney James, and Phung Jefferson,Esq.

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman was on hand to visit with exhibitors at the event prior to the Luncheon and she's pictured with the NAWBO(National Association of Women Business Owner's) Las Vegas themed rock. The Southern Nevada Chapter motto is "NAWBORocks #NAWBOrocks.

Mayor Goodman gaved many of the attendees her Carolyn Goodman Casino Chip. This limited edition special casino chip features a depiction on the Las Vegas Mayor on the front of the casino chip and the back side serves as a business card which information including her office address and phone number.

Today at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Downtown Las Vegas, several companies including Wells Fargo Bank and UBS partnered to sponsor a program called""Where's the Money?" about access to capital.

This full-day educational program for business people about money was designed to help business owners or potential business owners learn how to obtain financing-whether to launch or grow their businesses -and it covered information on loans and special programs available.

The Urban Chamber of Commerce has a Business Development Center with many resources available to help grow and develop new and recently formed small businesses such as business mentors/advisors, training programs, workshops and seminars, a small business resource library, business plan reviews, counseling, business plan critique services, and even below-market rate office space offering a turn-key operation if desired. http://www.UrbanChamber.org