CORRECTION FROM SOURCE/B.C. Makes Strides in Supporting Women in the Workplace: Second Annual B.C. Economic Forum to Highlight Progress in Enhancing Economic Impact of Women in B.C.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 22, 2015) -

This document corrects and replaces the press release that was sent on October 15, 2015 at 3:04 pm EDT. The error occurred in the first paragraph where the following was missing: ..."presented by Deloitte"...

The Second Annual B.C. Economic Forum: Women as a Catalyst for Growth presented by Deloitte, will be held in Vancouver on October 23, 2015. The event, hosted through collaboration by the WEB Alliance (a collective of more than 25 women's business networks in B.C.), Vancouver Board of Trade, Women's Enterprise Centre and Women's Leadership Circle, is focused on increasing the economic growth and impact of women in British Columbia. The highly anticipated event, including an impressive line-up of speakers, is set to shed light on progress being made in B.C. and further action that can be taken.

In October 2014, over 400 leaders and small business owners, both men and women, gathered at the B.C. Economic Forum: Women as a Catalyst for Growth, a sold-out event in Vancouver, to provide ideas and input on how to grow women leaders - in business, on boards and in growing industries. The inaugural Forum resulted in the release of "Women as a Catalyst for Growth: A B.C. Action Plan", a report outlining practical recommendations for government, business and individuals. Now, in 2015, business leaders will meet again to reveal some significant progress seen across the Province and set the pace for additional change into 2016.

The 2015 B.C. Economic Forum will be attended by and include remarks from The Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour, Government of British Columbia and The Honourable Coralee Oakes, Minister of Small Business, Red-Tape Reduction and Minister Responsible for the Liquor Distribution Branch, Government of British Columbia. The daylong event will feature panel discussions on tackling diversity and taking action in the workplace as well as facilitated discussion amongst all attending around creating additional personal and professional commitments to change. Panelists will include:

• Jay Dilley, President, HawkAir
• Joe Olivier, Regional Vice President, Commercial Financial Services for B.C., RB.C.
• Michelle Osry, Partner, Deloitte
• Renée Wasylyk, CEO, Troika Group
• Susan Arthur, Vice President & General Manager, US Health & Life Sciences Industry, Hewlett-Packard Company
• Duncan Wilson, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Port Metro Vancouver
• Moderator - Sophie Lui, Anchor, Global BC

The Forum will also highlight impressive action and dialogue that has taken place in BC since 2014. Such action includes:

• Creation of a Prince Rupert Women's Leadership Group
• UBC Okanagan iStand initiative, supporting women in STEM
• Mentoring women in trades and aboriginal women's groups in Kelowna, Prince George and Kamloops through Women's Enterprise Centre
• Financial workshops in Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna in partnership with Women's Enterprise Centre, KPMG and Crowe MacKay
• Discussions with 8 regional Women's Business Networks to join the WEB Alliance
• Mentor advisory Forum for women in trades
• The Vancouver Board of Trade created a Leadership Challenge to help their member organizations increase gender diversity in leadership.
• The Minerva Foundation launched The Face of Leadership™: BC Score Card 2015 earlier this year to examine the performance of 28 major organizations in British Columbia, and to commit to close the gender diversity gap. The full study and CEO pledge will be released on November 17, 2015.

"It is clear that since 2014, and our "Women as a Catalyst for Growth: A B.C. Action Plan" report, that business leaders in B.C. understand both the economic potential in further engaging women, as well as the current disparity and need for change. We are expecting to gather in 2015 to chart progress and discuss additional tangible action that can be taken," comments Jill Earthy, Forum Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the WEB Alliance. "For organizations, this is the foremost event to be at. We have never seen business; government and organizations gather on this scale and prove such significant momentum. We look forward to the outcomes that the 2015 Forum will bring."

For tickets and information, visit: https://www.boardoftrade.com/events/individual-events/284-5287

About the WEB Alliance

The WEB Alliance of Women's Business Networks represents over 10,000 women in business in B.C. and collaborates to create change towards better business, stronger communities and an enhanced business culture for women. http://www.weballiance.ca