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Excited, nervous, thankful, shocked are all words that describe how I felt on Wednesday evening, June 23^rd when I received the Emerging Visionary Award at 25^th anniversary of the National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix Metro Chapter (NAWBO) at the 2010 Desert Diamonds Awards Gala. I mean wow – seriously what an honor!

I first came across NAWBO about 2 years ago when I started networking. I was drawn to the group because each month's Luncheon features a knowledgeable speaker from various industries. Networking, lunch and education all in one place…it's the perfect combination! Many of the women involved in the organization are definitely the "Who is Who's" of the Valley and immediately I knew that this is a quality organization that I'd like to be a part of.

As NetworkingPhoenix.com grew, our two organizations partnered up and we are now a Media Sponsor for NAWBO. It's been wonderful networking with this chapter as well as partnering up and I've met some great individuals that I know will be instrumental on my journey as I move forward.

Sitting in the room on Wednesday, I felt like I was surrounded not only by my peers…but also by my friends and that's not something that is felt in every networking group. I'm so grateful that they chose to nominate and honor me and thankful that I have gotten to know these women and am looking forward to many more good years!

If you haven't visited a NAWBO event yet, you can find their next Luncheon on the calendar and I would definitely encourage you to attend at least once to meet all my friends!

A BIG congratulations to all the all the other Award Winners of the night! You can read all about it in the press release below.

Thanks again, Ladies!

NAWBO PHOENIX NAMES 2010 AWARD WINNERS AT ANNUAL GALA

Organization Celebrates 25^th Anniversary; Recognizes Five Valley Businesswomen and Debuts New Visionary Award for Outstanding Community Leadership

PHOENIX (June 24, 2010) –  Business leaders from across the Valley joined together yesterday to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix Metro Chapter (NAWBO) at the 2010 Desert Diamonds Awards Gala held in central Phoenix.

At the event, NAWBO recognized five highly accomplished local businesswomen for outstanding achievements and presented two community leaders with its first-ever Visionary Award, which honors an outstanding community visionary for his or her accomplishments in making Phoenix a better place to live and work. ABC 15’s Katie Raml served as mistress of ceremonies at the event, which celebrated NAWBO Phoenix’s 25^th anniversary and included the swearing in of the incoming 2010-2011 board of directors.

Awards Presented to Valley Businesswomen

NAWBO honored five highly accomplished members with its Business Owner of the Year, Member of the Year, Corporate Partner of the Year, Bridge Builder and Unsung Hero Awards.

The award recipients are:

• Member of the Year, Alison Craig, 3 Impressions (Tempe)
• Business of the Year, Pamela Smith, NUMBERS etc. (Mesa)
• Bridge Builder, Lynda Bishop, Summit Alliance Solutions, LLC (Phoenix)
• Unsung Hero, Linda Minde, Tri Lite Builders (Chandler)
• Corporate Partner, Lynn Paige, Perfect Power (Phoenix)

NAWBO also debuted the inaugural Visionary Award, which recognizes an outstanding community visionary for his or her accomplishments in making Phoenix a better place to live and work. This new award was opened up to the public. The winners of the Visionary Award are:

• Deborah Bateman, Vice President  of National Bank of Arizona, for her work with the Women’s Financial Group
• Gelie Akhenblit, founder of NetworkingPhoenix.com, who received the “Emerging Visionary Award”

The National Association of Women Business Owners – Phoenix Metro Chapter is part of the only national organization to represent the interests of this country’s 10.6 million women business owners. NAWBO Phoenix Metro has more than 300 members and was selected by the Business Journal as one of the five most influential organizations in the Valley. It is the voice and vision of women business owners in the Phoenix Metro area.

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