Women leaders from Lock Haven and LHU were informed, inspired and empowered at the Women in Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) conference.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven Small Business Development Center took 22 women to the Women in Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) conference on March 25. The group was made up of 8 local business women and community leaders, as well as 14 participants form Lock Haven University.

The conference hosted keynote speakers who emphasized the importance of this year’s W.I.L.D mission statement: To empower professional and enterprising women with knowledge, energy and passion. The conference was held at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pa.

Karen Willar of Ridgecrest Home Sales, a co-sponsor of the event, provided the women from Lock Haven with t-shirts displaying the W.I.L.D logo and mission statement to wear for their arrival. On the trip, Willar treated the group to sticky buns from Samantha’s Kitchen, the new bakery in downtown Lock Haven. Arriving in Erie the day before the conference, they enjoyed a tour and wine-tasting at the Mazza Vineyards winery.

The convention center welcomed the 660 attendees with coffee, organic granola, fresh fruit, wild flower yogurt, smoothies and assorted muffins. All attendees had the chance to win on raffle tickets. The raffles featured $9,000 in grand prizes.

During the conference attendees were able to visit displays from 72 vendors from around the Erie area, which provided many samples, coupons and services.

This year’s featured keynote speaker was Bill Rancic, first season’s winner of Donald Trump’s “Apprentice” and founder of Cigars Around the World. Rancic spoke about his rise to success through hard work and dedication. He stressed the importance of details, networking and creativity. He also shared insights on his creative PR tactics that gave him the power to move forward in business. The author of “Beyond the Lemonade Stand,” Rancic signed books and was available for pictures and questions. When asked how to succeed in business, he cited his marathon approach which is, “It’s important to set small goals along the way; it makes the bigger goal easier.”

Connie Podesta, another keynote speaker, performed an hour of comedy on the topic of Leadership. Podesta is an executive career/life coach and one of the industry’s leading experts in sales, strategies, leadership development, relationships and change. She provided the W.I.L.D. women with a comedic and motivational speech on personalities. Using her talents as a board-certified therapist, she analyzed the 660 attendees using shapes, and got everyone physically involved.

Jan McInnis, marketing director and comedian, gave a keynote speech on “Finding the Funny in Communications.” She provided pointers on how to use humor in business so that it is easier to connect with clients, employees and co-workers, and to diffuse tense situations.

The conference was a successful and motivational event. Lock Haven’s Small Business Development Center is challenging all the attendees to come back and bring a friend for the next W.I.L.D conference, which will be held on March 30, 2012.

For additional information contact the Lock Haven Small Business Development Center. Queries can be directed to Kristine Meeker at (570) 484-2848 or kmeeker@lhup.edu