WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Fourteen exemplary women business leaders will step into the spotlight to receive the nation's premier award for excellence among women's business enterprises (WBEs) bestowed by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) at its Annual Salute to Women's Business Enterprises. On Thursday, March 25, 2010, 1,000 corporate executives, WBEs and government and nonprofit VIPs will acknowledge the tenacity, drive and inventiveness demonstrated by women's business enterprise at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

The 2010 WBENC Women's Business Enterprise Stars are selected by WBENC's 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) that conduct WBENC's world-class certification of WBEs, in addition to providing skill-building educational programs and business development opportunities with major corporations.

"Our 2010 Women's Business Enterprise Stars represent the best that our country offers in terms of innovation and long term success," said Linda Denny, WBENC President and CEO, the leading advocate for and authority on WBEs. "They continually discover ways to meet their corporate clients' complex needs in today's environment."

WBENC's Summit & Salute is a comprehensive two-day program that offers strategic educational programs and access to thought leaders for corporations and women's business enterprises. In delivering sophisticated resources and senior-level networking opportunities, WBENC enables the long term success of women's businesses and the corporations they serve. Accenture is Presenting Sponsor at the Summit & Salute.

"The Summit & Salute illustrates why we say WBENC is The Opportunity Connection for women's business enterprises," Denny said. The Summit & Salute brings together America's leading corporations, government agencies, women business owners and strategic partner organizations. This year's keynote presentations and workshops will focus on business forecasts, market trends, best practices, and networking environments conducive to business.

The following 2010 WBENC Women's Business Enterprise Stars will be recognized for leadership in their respective local business communities, inspiration to other women business owners, and active roles at the helm of successful certified businesses:

• LaSonya Berry, CEO, McPherson, Berry & Associates, Inc., representing Greater Women's Business Council. www.mcphersonberry.com
• Sandy Hunter, President, Hunter Hawk, Inc., representing Astra Women's Business Alliance. www.hunterhawk.com
• Kari Heistad, CEO, Culture Coach International, representing the Center for Women & Enterprise. www.culturecoach.biz
• Katherine Mlakar, Chairman of the Board, The Millcraft Paper Company, representing Ohio River Valley Women's Business Council. www.millcraft.com
• Terri Quinton, President, Q2 Marketing Group, representing Women's Business Council -Southwest. www.q2marketinggroup.com
• Kimberly Holstein, President/CEO and CIO (Chief Inspiration Officer), Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels, representing Women's Business Development Center - Chicago. www.kimandscotts.com
• Claudette Stroble, President, Orlando Conference Management Group, Inc., representing Women's Business Development Center - Florida. www.ocmg.net
• Sue Pistone, CEO/President, Sue Pistone & Associates, representing Women's Business Enterprise Alliance. suepistone@suepistone.com
• Denise Kanaar, CEO, D & D Logistics LLC, representing Women's Business Enterprise Council - Great Lakes. www.d-dlogistics.com
• Judith Zimmerman, President & CEO, Artcraft & Foremost, representing Women's Business Enterprise Council - PA-DE-sNJ. www.artcraftpromos.com
• Michele Vignes, President/CEO, Universal Personnel, LLC, representing Women's Business Enterprise Council South www.universal-personnel.com
• Laurie Travis, President, LT Evention, representing Women's Business Enterprise Council - West. www.ltevention.com
• Jennifer Collins, President, The Event Planning Group, representing Women Presidents' Educational Organization - DC. www.tepgevents.com
• Julie Levi, President, Progressive Promotions, Inc., representing Women Presidents' Educational Organization - NY. www.progressivepromotions.com

The Salute black-tie reception and dinner will honor the 14 Women's Business Enterprise Stars of 2010, as well as America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprises for 2009. For reservations, visit www.wbenc.org/summit-salute.

About WBENC: The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the leading advocate for, and authority on, Women's Business Enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers and vendors to the nation's corporations. Founded in 1997, WBENC is also the nation's leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with WBENC certification accepted by more than 1,000 corporations, representing America's most prestigious brands, as well as government entities at the state and local levels. Throughout the year, WBENC and its RPOs provide opportunities for interactions between more than 250 member corporations and nearly 10,000 certified WBEs at business building events and other forums. WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and programs. For more information, please go to www.wbenc.org.

SOURCE The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)