The U. S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) invites you to join us for the 9th Annual National Conference, which will be held October 4-6, 2006 at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center hotel in Minneapolis, MN. This year's annual conference is being hosted by the Minnesota Business Leadership Network.

Over 400 attendees are expected from BLN chapters across the country, as well as leaders and professionals from corporations, small businesses, colleges and universities, service providers, and the workforce development community. These leaders and professionals recognize the benefits of including people with disabilities in their workforce and marketplace and view people with disabilities as strategic business partners in today’s workplace.

The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN) is the national organization that supports development and expansion of BLNs across the country, serving as their collective voice. The USBLN recognizes and promotes best practices in hiring, retaining, and marketing to people with disabilities. Web site: www.usbln.com

Conference Highlights

This year’s conference has added a career fair for students with disabilities. Minnesota is the kick-off site for the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) annual National Mentoring Day. October 4th will begin with a nationally broadcast, live news conference and the career fair.

Nationally recognized speakers for the conference include:

• The Honorable Bob Dole
  
• Stedman Graham – New York Times best-selling author of You Can Make It Happen: A Nine-Step Plan for Success
  
• Emmanuel Yeboah – 2005 recipient of ESPY Arthur Ashe Courage Award and the 2005 recipient of the Nike Casey Martin Award
  
• John D. Kemp – 2006 recipient of the Henry B. Betts Award, widely regarded as America's highest honor for disability leadership and service; Principal at the law firm of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, P.C.
  
• John H. Hager – Assistant Secretary, U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
  
• Dr. W. Roy Grizzard – Assistant Secretary for Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Dept of Labor
  
• Dr. Richard G. Luecking – President, TransCen
  
• Andy Imparato – President, American Association of People with Disabilities

Conference Information and Registration

For complete details on the conference including session information and registration, visit the conference web site at: www.mnbln.org/USBLNconference