2016 Business Women's Forum October 21st to Feature "Scandals" Author Judy Smith

WATERBURY, Conn. - April 20, 2016 - PRLog -- Judy Smith, author and inspiration for television's "Scandal" program, and crisis management expert, will be the keynote speaker at the 2016 Business Women's Forum (BWF) on October 21, along with Christine Cashen, author of "The Good Stuff: Quips and Tips on Life, Love, Work and Happiness", who will deliver the morning's keynote.

The BWF is Connecticut's longest-running, full-day conference for women. More than 500 attendees are anticipated from throughout New England to participate in the 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. day of networking, workshops, breakfast, lunch and a closing reception on Friday, October 21^st at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville, Connecticut.

Celebrating 34 years of notable success, the BWF is a program of the Greater Waterbury Chamber of Commerce Foundation in Waterbury, Connecticut. The thriving organization is led by female executives dedicated to the professional and personal growth of working women. The mission of the non-profit Business Women's Forum's is to raise funds for scholarships for female Post University students to pursuing degrees in business. "The BWF's continual commitment," explained Lynn Ward, a BWF director and president and CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber, "has been to the equality of opportunity and advancement for women in business. During the past 33 years, the BWF has generated in excess of $190,000 toward those scholarships.

For more than three decades, BWF events have helped business women across Connecticut enhance their small to medium-sized companies as well as their personal careers. We are excited to welcome Judy Smith, author of one of television's most-watched evening programs "Scandals", and an individual expert in helping companies and organizations mitigate crises and manage delivery of news regarding potential scandals. We are also delighted to welcome author and high-energy motivational speaker Christine Cashen who promises to deliver a hilarious, fast-paced opening program at the October 21st BWF."

2016 BWF's luncheon keynote speaker Judy Smith is founder and president of Smith & Company, a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.  Smith is known to uniquely combine her communication skills, media savvy, and legal and political acumen to serve clients around the world. She is also the 'real life' inspiration behind the hit TV show "Scandal". She is also co-executive producer and advisor to creator and show-runner Shonda Rhimes, and author of "Good Self, Bad Self: How to Bounce Back From a Personal Crisis". On a frequent basis, Smith appears on major TV network programs on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, ABC, and CBS to provide her insights into crisis management. She is also a regular writer for the "Daily Beast" and "The Huffington Post" on current events.

Judy Smith is known as an advisor to Fortune 500 companies that include Wal-Mart, BellSouth, Union Pacific, Starwood Hotels and United Healthcare, and to such well-known personalities as Paula Deen, Monica Lewinsky, Congressman Jessie Jackson, Jr., actor Wesley Snipes, and NFL quarterback Michael Vick. For the 2016 BWF, she will provide her insights into topics that will include "How to Protect Your Company's Brand: Preparing and Prevailing During a Crisis"; "Women in Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities in a Position of Power"; and "Finding Your True Self Through the Work-Life Balance".

The October 21^st morning's motivational speaker, Christine Cashen has been known to jazz up an amazing variety of audiences throughout the United States, Canada, South Africa and Australia for more than 15 years. She is a recognized authority on sparking innovative ideas, handling conflict, reducing stress and energizing employees. A member of the National Speakers Association and a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), in 2014 she was inducted into the prestigious CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame®, a lifetime award and recognition for speaking excellence and professionalism. Cashen's "The Good Stuff" was named motivational book of the year by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and she has produced several motivational DVDs and CDs.

2016 BWF Chairwoman Virginia O'Rourke, owner of O'Rourke and Birch Florist in Waterbury, remarked, "Since its beginnings, the BWF has provided thousands of attendees with access to phenomenal speakers, networking opportunities and diverse training during a full day of activities. BWF conferences have featured such prominent, high-profile keynote speakers as Leeza Gibbons, Barbara Corcoran, Kathy Ireland, Elizabeth Vargas, Paula Abdul, Robin Roberts, Goldie Hawn, Jamie Lee Curtis, Suze Orman, Jane Seymour, Chris Madden, and Susan Saint James.

The 2016 BWF Board believes attendees will benefit greatly from the highly-informative and exciting day of dynamic and accomplished speakers, professional business trainers as workshop leaders, networking opportunities and a very exciting closing reception that feature hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and many raffle and door prizes including a notable grand prize."

Admission to the 2016 BWF on October 21st is $175/person through May 31^st for "Early Bird" registration and $195 after June 1^st. All tickets will include the two keynote presentations, six workshops, day-long networking, breakfast, lunch, and a closing reception. To sponsor event, or to register, visit www.2016bwf.com, or call the Waterbury Regional Chamber at 203-757-0701.