Invitation 1st Global Symposium on Growth Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We invite you to the 1st Global Symposium on Growth Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs, in Stockholm, Sweden, May 22-23, 2006.

All over the world women are important drivers of growth. More women are joining the workforce and more and more women get involved in starting and running businesses. Still, fewer women than men start businesses and the women owned businesses in general remain smaller than male owned businesses.

What are the hurdles for women that want to start, run and especially grow their businesses? What are the problems facing them? Is it lack of capital, lack of role models or lack of competence?

At the symposium we will hear about the latest research, we will hear from entrepreneurs who are in the starting blocks and entrepreneurs who has grown their businesses. We will hear how bankers, business angels and venture capitalists think about where to put their money and we will examine the success factors that could lead to growth. We will learn about different initiatives and programs on how to promote and encourage growth in women led businesses.

This inaugural event will bring together practitioners, policy-makers and researchers in a unique effort to examine how more women can be encouraged to start and grow businesses. The ambition of the Global Symposium is to look at what is done today and what needs to be done tomorrow.

To achieve this we hope to have a broad mix of people attending, such as:
– aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs and business owners
– bankers, business angels and venture capitalists
– service providers lawyers, accountants, patent experts, consultants
– policy-makers
– academic researchers

Take this opportunity to be involved in creating the future landscape for women entrepreneurs and their growing businesses.

SYMPOSIA FORMAT

The Symposia will be held over two days, starting at 9 a.m. Monday, May 22nd, and ending at 3 p.m., Tuesday May 23rd. A general program framework featuring interactive sessions and experienced speakers from several countries has been established.

To ensure that the program captures the dynamic nature of the evolving landscape, we invite direct input from you. Until May 4th we invite you to suggest additional topics or examples from your own experiences that you think should be highlighted and made known around the world. To have your suggestions considered, simply email them to diana@esbri.se

The final program will be posted at this website on May 10th.

REGISTRATION

To register for the Symposium, please send an email to diana@esbri.se with your name, affiliation and contact information. Please note that we can only accept a limited number of participants, so be sure to register as soon as possible.

SYMPOSIUM FEE

The Symposium fee is very favorably: SEK 2300 (c. 250 Euro) + VAT. Included in the fee are: the symposium, 2 lunches, the symposia dinner, coffee/refreshments, symposia documentation and a few surprises. Participants will be informed upon registration with details on how to pay.

AFTER THE FACT

The potential impact of women owned businesses around the world dictates that key learnings from the conference live beyond the days of the Symposium. Summarizes of the many interesting presentations, discussions, panels and posters at the Symposium will be documented and distributed after the conference through different media channels including internet, newsletters, and working papers.

BACKGROUND

The 1st Global Symposium on Growth Strategies for Women Entrepreneurs follows on two research workshops organized by ESBRI – Entrepreneurship and Small Business Research Institute – and the Diana US. The research workshops were a joint effort to interest more researchers in studying growth issues for women entrepreneurs. Researchers from more than 15 countries have been involved in the workshops.

FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS

The Symposium will be followed by a workshop for researchers. The workshop starts late in the afternoon after the symposium (May 23) and ends in the afternoon the next day (May 24). Scholars interested in participating should send an email to : diana@esbri.se that includes a short bio about your research interests. Additional information regarding the practicalities for the workshop will be sent with confirmation of your participation. This workshop has an additional fee of 100 Euros and includes documentation and all meals (one dinner and one lunch).

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Venue for the symposia
The Symposia will be held at Hilton Stockholm Slussen which is located in the heart of Stockholm and offers fantastic views across the waters of Riddarfjärden to Stockholm City Hall and the Old Town.

Accommodation
We can suggest two hotels: Hilton Stockholm Slussen (the conference venue); or Sjörfartshotellet (two blocks from the venue). Please contact us for more information on these hotels. You need to make reservations as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee that there will be rooms there.

Hilton Stockholm Slussen
Guldgränd 8
P.O. 15270
104 65 Stockholm
Sweden
Phone: +46-8-517 353 00
Fax: +46-8-517 353 11
Booking Code: ESBA 210506

Scandic Sjöfartshotellet
Katarinavägen 26
116 45 Stockholm
Phone: +46-8-517 349 09
Fax: +46-8-517 349 11
Bookin Code: ESBR 220506

If you chose not to stay at the suggested hotels it is highly recommended to make early reservations for accommodation, as hotels are very busy in Stockholm during this time of the year. Please consult – www.stockholmtown.com – for information about alternative accommodation.

Official Symposia language is English

Please see www.stockholmtown.com for more information about how to get here and what to do and see during your stay.

LIABILITY AND INSURANCE

The symposium organizers do not take any responsibility for injury or damage involving persons or property during the symposia. Participants are advised to take out their own personal insurance.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For general questions and more information about the symposium please contact
Linda Nordberg, Symposia coordinator, ESBRI
Symposia coordinator
e-mail: linda.nordberg@esbri.se
phone: +46 (0) 8 458 78 03

For questions regarding program items please contact:
Magnus Aronsson, Managing director, ESBRI
e-mail: magnus.aronsson@esbri.se
phone: + 46 (0) 8 458 78 01
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