HP and Office Depot Join SBA to Celebrate Women in Business During 200

    Business Editors
    SBA Expo '05

    WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 2005--HP and Office Depot will join the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to celebrate women in business at a luncheon the organizations are cosponsoring during SBA Expo '05.
    The banquet recognizes the fastest growing segment of the small and mid-size business industry: women-owned businesses. According to a recent survey, women own half of the 10.6 million privately held businesses, employ 9.8 million workers and generate more than $1 trillion in sales.
    U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao will provide the keynote address at the luncheon. Other featured speakers include SBA Deputy Administrator Melanie Sabelhaus, HP Vice President of Small and Medium Business Lynn Cranford and Office Depot Director of Strategic Alliances Lynn Connelly. The SBA will also honor six businesswomen who have made a tremendous impact in their respective fields over the past year.

    Honorees include:

    Marilyn Carlson Nelson, chair of the National Women's Business Council

    Daisy Gallagher, Gallagher & Gallagher, Stroudsburg, Pa.

    Edna Lopez, COMPA Industries, Albuquerque, N.M.

    Doreen Marks, Otis Technology, Lyons Falls, N.Y.

    Sylvia Medina, North Wind, Idaho Falls, Idaho

    Jean Thiel, Belonger Corporation, West Bend, Wis.

WHAT: Celebrating Women in Business Luncheon

WHO: Available for Interviews: HP Vice President Lynn Cranford Office Depot Director of Strategic Alliances and Sponsorships Lynn Connelly SBA Deputy Administrator Melanie Sabelhaus SBA Outstanding Women of the Year Honorees

WHERE: Hilton Washington in the International Ballroom 1919 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20009 Tel: 1-202-483-3000

WHEN: Thursday, April 28 Noon - 2 p.m. EDT

--30--CRD/sf*

CONTACT: U.S. SBA Anne Marie Frawley, 202-320-2147 annemarie.frawley@sba.gov or Porter Novelli David Tishgart, 512-731-3315 david.tishgart@porternovelli.com or HP Sherri Stuart, 856-638-6249 sherri.stuart@hp.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE GOVERNMENT CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD SOFTWARE NETWORKING TRADESHOW PRODUCT SOURCE: HP

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