Invent Your Future for Women Conference - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Some of the nation's top business leaders will meet at a conference aimed at inspiring women in their careers. It's called the "Invent Your Future Conference" and it originated in Silicon Valley. But for the first time, Indianapolis is hosting it for the Midwest to accelerate the careers and businesses of local women.
    
Why is that important?  Organizers say women in business are a major factor when it comes to a state's economic development.

"Studies show that states that prosper have a strong women-owned business community," said Brenda Jackson-Morrissey representing the conference. "For instance, in Indiana, 140-thousand jobs are provided by women-owned businesses with about $20-billion in revenue."

The women who founded "Dress for Success," an advisor to Presidents Clinton and Obama, and a columnist for USA Today and the Wall Street Journal are among the panelists of this one day conference.  Nationally-recognized women leaders will attend in the hopes of inspiring women in businesses, to share ideas, and to learn new skills.
    
The conference, which started six years ago in Silicon Valley, also a great networking opportunity.

Jackson-Morrissey said, "In a conference such as this are tools and mechanisms and ways to grow to bring acknowledgment of women in business.  States like Texas, New York and California have shown increased economic development with increased conferences going on in their state."

Another part of the goal here is to build a pipeline of women in careers that use math, science and technology.
    
The one-day conference gets underway at 8 a.m. at the Crowne Plaza.