This year’s 2-Day conference is sponsored by the Louisiana Small Business Development Center (LSBDC) at Southern University Baton Rouge, and will be hosted on our Baton Rouge campus. The LSBDC is funded by the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Louisiana Economic Development Agency (LED). Southern University System campuses collectively serve roughly 1000 small businesses across the State of Louisiana each year. The LSBDC at Southern University extends its reach throughout three campuses, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, servicing a combination of rural, urban, and inner cities communities.

According to the SBA, women owned businesses represent 40% of all U.S. businesses and generate an estimated $1.8 Trillion in revenue. The goal of this conference is to help women, and women of color, navigate through the challenges of small business, and to provide resources that increase growth for a healthy, sustainable, and thriving business. Additionally, and in line with the current administration’s Biden Plan, the 2023 conference will target the areas of women in manufacturing, federal contracting and procurement opportunities for women, business certifications, financial sustainability, and health and wellness.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 – Day 1
9:00am – 4:00pm

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 – Women in Business Reception
Guest Speaker: Ted James, SBA Regional Administrator (Region 6)
6:30pm-10:00pm

Wednesday, March 29, 2023 – Day 2
8:00am – 3:00pm