"The concept of bringing the resource partners to local women owners during a week long blitz throughout Kentucky is a dynamic way to jump start our economy and provide a catalyst to grow women-owned businesses"
Melanie Beatty, National City small business banking vice president and Women Business Advocate

In an effort to highlight and continue the phenomenal growth of women-owned businesses, the Women's Economic Develop Outreach (WEDO) Tour plans an unprecedented weeklong tour encompassing five areas in Kentucky. For the first time in Kentucky, a dynamic group of women leaders, comprised of business owners, local, state, and federal representatives, bank officials, economic development organizations and other women-focused organizations, will stop at five sites between October 25 - 29, 2004, supplying information and resources to Kentucky area women business owners.

Registration for each day begins at 8:00 a.m. with a complimentary Power Breakfast and runs from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Women business owners are encouraged to visit http://www.e-magnify.com/  for a complete schedule of events and to register online or contact a National City women business advocate closest to their area. Reservations for all WEDO programs are free and limited to the first 150 participants.

"National City is proud to be the exclusive lead sponsor and developer of WEDO," said Melanie Beatty, National City small business banking vice president and Women Business Advocate. "Through the unique collaboration of partners in WEDO, National City is sending a clear message to women entrepreneurs that we are committed to meeting all their business needs. The concept of bringing the resource partners to local women owners during a week long blitz throughout Kentucky is a dynamic way to jump start our economy and provide a catalyst to grow women-owned businesses."

In addition to National City, the 2004 WEDO Tour is sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, ATHENA Foundation, Kentucky Lottery, Classic Printers, Kentucky Small Business Development Center, and Seton Hill University's National Education Center for Women in Business. Other partners of the first Kentucky tour are Louisville Metro Government, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Money Concepts, Louisville Enterprise Group, Kings Daughters Medical Center, Bowling Green Technical College, The Red Mile, Masterson's Restaurant and Catering, Carl D. Perkins Conferencing and Events Office, National Women Business Owners Corporation (NWBOC) and Eastern Kentucky University.

The tour officially kicks off in Richmond and continues throughout the state, offering participants an in-depth look at business financing; access to capital; information on certification on the state and federal level as well as private certification; and developing entrepreneurial networks.

Day 1 - Monday, October 25: Richmond Area
Location: Eastern Kentucky University, Carl Perkins Building, Richmond

Day 2 - Tuesday, October 26: Ashland Area
Location: Kings Daughters Medical Center, 2301 Lexington Avenue, Ashland

Day 3 - Wednesday, October 27: Bowling Green Area

Location: Bowling Green Technical College KATI Campus, 1127 Morgantown
Road, Bowling Green

Day 4 - Thursday, October 28: Lexington/Central KY Area
Location: The Red Mile, 1200 Red Mile Road, Lexington

Day 5 - Friday, October 29: Louisville Area
Location: Masterson's Restaurant, 1820 South Third Street, Louisville