For immediate release
MEDIA CONTACT: Therese Smyntek
National Association of Women Business Owners
407-210-3900 or ts@ioorlando.com

ORLANDO WOMEN’S BUSINESS GROUP WINS 5 NATIONAL AWARDS
Honors presented to NAWBO Orlando during San Francisco conference

ORLANDO, Fla. (June 9, 2006) – The Orlando Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners picked up an unprecedented five awards during the national organization’s annual conference June 1-3 in San Francisco, CA.

The awards were presented during luncheon and dinner ceremonies throughout the event at the Westin Union Square Hotel, where more than 500 women business owners gathered for organizational meetings, keynote speeches, educational sessions, a business expo and networking. The honors included:

• NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award – Deborah Jallad and Sharon Jallad, sisters who serve as president and executive vice president of Accredited Surety and Casualty Company in Winter Park.
• National Member of the Year – Diane Sears, president of DiVerse Media, LLC, in Orlando and immediate past president of NAWBO Orlando.
• Chapter Corporate Partner of the Year – Walt Disney World’s Minority Business Development Department, represented by Manager Mary Ann Goloversic.
• National Overall Brand Style Award – First place among more than 80 chapters nationwide in marketing and branding efforts.
• Healthy Chapter Bronze Award – One of fewer than 20 chapters recognized nationwide.

“Our chapter is thrilled to be so honored,” says Therese Smyntek, 2005-06 president of NAWBO Orlando. “We’re proud of our winners. We’ve worked hard the last 10 years setting goals, promoting NAWBO Orlando members and forging community relationships. This multitude of awards reflects our work.”

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About NAWBO
Founded in 1975, NAWBO propels women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide and is the only organization that represents the interests of women entrepreneurs in all industries. The organization’s mission is to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of its members and promote economic development; to create innovative and effective change in the business culture; to build strategic alliances, coalitions and affiliations; and to transform public policy and influence opinion makers. For more information, please visit www.nawbo.org and www.nawboOrlando.org.