Celebrities flock to Springfield for first SURE Women Conference 2010

SPRINGFIELD, MASS (The Lioness Group) May 17, 2010 –- The City of Springfield will host one of the most inspirational weekends in the last few years. Drawing big names in entertainment, television and fashion, more than 2,000 women are expected to gather at the MassMutual Center for a spectacular two-day conference of inspiration, empowerment and fellowship. Experience a mega conference like no other.

The SURE Women Conference 2010 has garnered national attention and boasts an impressive list of participating celebrities: National Award Winning Gospel Artist Marvin Sapp; National Award Winning Gospel Artist Vicki Yohe, National Best-selling author Michelle McKinney Hammond, featured in the New York Times, Essence and Ebony Magazine; National Financial Expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, seen on Fox, CNN, CNBC and Oprah; and former Essence Magazine Beauty Editor Andrea Arterbery. SURE (Strong, Unified, Real and Empowered) Women Conference will set itself apart as the finest annual women’s conference in New England.

The June 11-12 affair also promises empowerment speakers Elysia Rodriguez, news anchor/reporter for WWLP-22/NBC; Rev. Dr. Regina Shearer, executive pastor of Zion Church Ministries, Inc; Dr. Sarah Perez-McAdoo, OB/GYN, Asst. Professor Tufts University School of Medicine; and Kathy Tobin, former anchor/reporter for ABC 40/FOX 6 and Director of Development at the Friends of the Homeless.

The conference will attract women from all over the region who will come together to experience a time of transformation, unity, fellowship and spiritual uplift. Created by Minister and SURE Women Ministries, Inc. Founder and CEO Dr. Annie B. Watson, the SURE Women Conference 2010 is a catalyst for gathering and uniting women toward the goal of enhancing their lives and the lives of those around them. The highly-anticipated extravaganza kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m. with a Community Unity Celebration and Gospel Artist Vicki Yohe and her hit song “Because of who you are.” There will also be entertainment by the SURE Women Praise Team/SURE Women Liturgical Dancers and SURE Women Unity Choir, with Watson as the keynote speaker of the evening.

Saturday will pick up with an 8 a.m. registration and 9 a.m. event, Unity Walk: 1000 Women “A Step for Unity.” Come out and witness women from all over the area walking in harmony to spark community engagement, inspiration and transformation. From 10:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., Michelle McKinney Hammond, bestselling author, will dazzle attendees with her wit and insight on life, relationships and spiritual enlightenment. After a break for lunch, things will pick right back up with a 1:30 p.m. talk from Financial Expert Lynnette Khalfani Cox, better known as The Money Coach. At 2:30 p.m. there will be a “Stepping in Style” fashion show with guest commentator Andrea Arterbery formerly of Essence Magazine. There will be four break-out sessions on empowerment, finances, health and networking at 3:30 p.m. Session leaders include Kathy Tobin, Rev. Dr. Regina Shearer, Elysia Rodriguez and Dr. Sarah Perez McAdoo. The day of celebration will close with the SURE Women Praise Team/SURE Women Liturgical Dancers and a special performance by national gospel recording artist Marvin Sapp and his hit song, “Never Would Have Made it.”

There has not been anything on this scale brought to the city of Springfield. “I want women to be able to excel and reach their full potential. I want them to go to the next level, whether in their personal lives, finances or spiritual aspect. It’s about engaging them in every aspect, on every level,” Watson said.

Sponsors of the SURE Women Conference 2010 are Baystate Health, United Bank, Gentle Smiles Family Dentistry, Partners for Community, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Jamrog Group, An African-American Point of View and the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services.

For more information on the SURE Women Conference, visit www.surewomenconference.com or call (413) 313-3338. The conference registration fee for both days is $35 for SURE Women Network members, $40 for non-members and $45 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance at Gentle Smiles Family Dentistry at 1410 Carew St. in Springfield; Montenia’s Creative Comfort Cuisine, 137 State St.; Prosperity Unlimited III, 118 Parker Street, Suite 8; Solid Gold Beauty Palace, 40 Berkshire Ave. and The First Cathedral Bookstore, 1151 Blue Hills Ave. in Bloomfield, Conn.