American Express OPEN is the leading payment card issuer for small businesses in the United States and supports business owners with products and services to help them run and grow their businesses. This includes business charge and credit cards that deliver purchasing power, flexibility, rewards, savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners and online tools and services designed to help improve profitability. Learn more at www.OPEN.com and connect with us at openforum.com, facebook.com/OPEN and twitter.com/openforum.

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.  Learn more at www.americanexpress.comand connect with us on www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress.

Established in 1817 and based in Canada, BMO Financial Group serves 12 million personal, commercial, corporate and institutional customers in North America and internationally. Operating as BMO Bank of Montreal in Canada and BMO Harris Bank N.A. in the United States; Private Client Group, their wealth management business; and BMO Capital Markets; they share one vision: to be the bank that defines great customer experience.

Denihan Hospitality Group is a nationally recognized owner and operator of boutique hotels in New York, Chicago, Miami and Washington, DC.

Denihan’s portfolio includes two brands, Affinia Hotels and The James, luxury independents The Surrey and The Benjamin, and our affiliates, The EastgateTower and The Royal Palm, soon to reopen as The James Royal Palm. Collectively, Denihan properties serve a wide range of travelers, from families and executives to vacationers and young professionals.

Setting Denihan apart is a uniquely personal, guest-centric approach to hospitality, developed and refined over 50 years and three generations of Denihan family leadership.

The Max M. Fisher College of Business is located on the Columbus campus of The Ohio State University, one of the country’s most comprehensive academic research institutions. With academic programs tied to real business challenges, Fisher is a critical part of the national dialogue that is shaping how leaders of industry, academia and government move forward together. Fisher’s Executive Education programs give high-potential leaders the tools they need to reshape their organizations. Fisher’s interdisciplinary research centers offer business expertise in everything from entrepreneurship and operational excellence to supply chain management and technology commercialization. And in its primary role of offering high quality academics to prepare the next generation of business leaders, Fisher continues to gain national and international prominence.

The IBM Market Development organization develops and executes the marketing strategy for businesses owned by Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and women in the United States. Since 2004 we've expanded our focus on women owned, led and influenced businesses to select countries globally. IBM Market Development began a special focus on Women Business Owners in 1992 and remains committed to the advancement of women in the workplace and in the marketplace, today.

We continue to create opportunities for women owned businesses to grow in a sustainable environment and reinforce our track record with women who are employees, business owners, suppliers, business partners, customers and empowered leaders. We offer a complete portfolio of innovative and affordable hardware (servers and systems, storage), software, services (IT services, business consulting) and solutions through IBM business partners, including business partners who are women owned.

Developing and executing an investment strategy that encompasses every aspect of your financial life can be challenging, particularly when you have substantial assets and sophisticated needs. At PNC, one of the nation’s largest wealth managers, a Wealth Management advisor will work with you to develop a strategy that can range from investment management and estate planning to trust administration and private foundation management. PNC, the nation’s fifth largest bank, has a track record of advocating for women in business. We have been recognized among the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers and the Top 50 Companies for Female Executives. In addition, more than 15 years ago the women within PNC Wealth Management created a network to recognize the financial decision-making roles of women within their communities.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century.  For more information, please visit http://www.news.prudential.com/

Getting more value from your business partners has never been more critical. So why not rely on the world’s leading delivery company?* One that outperforms the rest. One that can take your business to places you never thought possible. UPS offers the highest levels of customer service, more efficiency, greater productivity and savings that directly benefit your bottom line.

With UPS you get outstanding reliability, more service options, and innovative technology – giving you the confidence and resources you need to compete globally. Choose UPS for any size shipment: small package, air freight, ocean freight, less-than-truckload or truckload. Let UPS turn our advantages into yours.