A Big Success for Professional Women’s Roundtable Luncheon and Expo

After more than a year of diligent planning, the Professional Women’s Roundtable Annual Joan Sparkman Unity Award and Expo, featuring Lisa Ling as the keynote speaker was a huge success. Held in the Grand Ballroom of the Pechanga Resort & Casino, the event was attended by over 200 people and boasted several big-name sponsors from the community and beyond.

"This event was very successful" said Alicia Newman, CEO of the Professional Women's Roundtable. "We knew it would be, but to see it come together so beautifully is really a feather in our cap."

The keynote speaker, Lisa Ling spoke about getting involved with global issues. Ling is a Special Correspondent for the Oprah Show and Contributor to National Geographic Channel, the Oxygen Network, CNN and ABC’s Nightline.  She is a former co-host of ABC's The View and Channel 1 News.

The purpose of the event is to name the winner of the Joan Sparkman Unity Award, which is given to an individual who works tirelessly to improve the conditions in their community. The first award was given to Joan Sparkman in 2003 for her many contributions to Southwest Riverside County. The winner, Tammy Wilson, CEO of Oak Grove School, was recognized for her commitment to helping challenged children within the region.

"It was really an honor to even be nominated for the award, let alone win it", said Wilson. "I was in a nominee pool of such amazing women and I am still in shock from the announcement. Joan Sparkman is an incredible woman and I really value the importance of this award."

The event, which included a luncheon with the keynote speaker and award presentation, was followed by a business expo in the next room. More than 40 local vendors and businesses displayed their wares and marketed their services. Attendance to the expo was free.

“The buzz and the energy in the room were incredible,” said Annette LaRocque, owner of Murrieta VIP Florist and a vendor at the expo. “At one point, I had to step out of the exhibit hall because it was so packed with people; I needed to catch my breath!”

Both the luncheon and the expo were well attended, despite the grumblings of a bad economy.

“People told us we couldn’t put on an event like this with the current economy,” said Newman. “There is money out there; you just have to provide an event with enough value for companies to spend the money. We were very pleased with the outcome of our luncheon and expo.”

PWR is a 501(c)3, non-profit professional women’s organization serving the Murrieta and Temecula areas. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Sizzler in Temecula. For more information call (951) 491-9721.