Join us for this Small Business Week in Henderson County event at Kenmure Country Club from 11:30 - 1 pm on Thursday, May 24th, 2012. Cost to attend is $30 per person or $250 for a reserved table of 8.

The speaker is Meridith Elliott Powell. Meridith began her career in sales and marketing, grew into finance and commercial banking, and is now a gifted and award-winning business person. She learned firsthand how finances, planning, sales and people development must all work together for companies to reach new heights. She has the skills and the knowledge to bring the numbers side and people side together, to align goals and move your company to profitability. Meridith’s signature style and her ability to rapidly connect with people make her a sought after speaker, trainer and coach.  She is an active member of the National Speakers Association, the Carolinas Speakers Association, the American Society of Training and Development, and Lessons In Leadership. She is gold master certified in Strategic Planning by the Haines Centre, and the University of San Diego. Having completed master level courses and exams, Meridith is among a handful of strategists to hold this certification. A master certified Human Behavior Specialist, Meridith chose to increase her knowledge of communication styles, human behaviors and their impact on professional relationships and organizational development. Her certification permits her to work as an instructor, coach and specialist in these areas.  Having completed her certification as a business coach, Meridith pursued second level certification in Emotional Intelligence (EQ). The combination of business coaching certification and EQ certification gives her an amazing ability to support her clients in their efforts to master the technical and relational skills needed to be successful in today’s competitive environment.   Meridith serves a wide range of clients including professional firms, corporations, construction firms, financial institutions and health care providers. Meridith is passionate about helping her clients develop strategies, business development plans and leadership programs to engage their teams and drive the bottom line. She has the ability to take complex issues and make them easy to understand and easy to implement.

The ATHENA Award presented in memory of Vanessa Y. Mintz and sponsored by the Chamber, Morris Broadband and Judy Stroud/State Farm Insurance will also be awarded ed at the luncheon. This will be the fifth year for the award in Henderson County. It will be given to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in her/his business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way and has empowered women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills.