Everywoman's Money Conference

On September 8, 1999 Ron hosted the first ever Idaho Everywoman's Money Conference. This all-day seminar, designed specifically for women, dealt with financial issues with which many Idaho women were unfamiliar.

These issues ranged from "How do I balance my checkbook?" to "What kind of investments should I be making for my retirement plan?" - and all points in between. "How do I get out of debt?" "What about credit cards?" "What happens to me if I become widowed or divorced?"

Ron was unsure what kind of reception the conference would receive. This was the first time a State Treasurer from Idaho had used the office as a "bully pulpit" to talk about financial literacy issues. Would it work? All the money necessary to pay for the conference had to be raised from the private sector. Could the money be raised? Would the major Idaho corporations respond? The answer is yes!

Debbie Reynolds, the famous actress, was the keynote speaker. Barbara Staney, heiress to the H&R Block fortune and author of "Prince Charming Isn't Coming" was also featured along with Karen Sheridan of Money Mystique and Teresa Wilhelmi, improv pianist and breast cancer survivor.

1250 women registered for this free conference in Boise and another 250 women attended at the Coeur d'Alene site. Ron was overwhelmed at the response of the ladies who attended. They were so grateful! The cards and e-mails thanking him caused him to realize how much of a hunger for this type of information truly existed.

Immediately, he began planning another conference for next year. This time the featured speaker was Naomi Judd, the famous country singer and hepatitis survivor. Over 1700 women registered for the conference! Another amazing success!

Ron has formed a non-profit (501-C3) foundation, of which he serves as president. This years conference will be called "Smart Women, Smart Money - the Idaho Everywoman's Financial Conference." The featured keynoter will be Dixie Carter of "Designing Women." Also featured again will be Karen Sheridan as conference coach and Teresa Wilhelmi at the keyboard.

The date is Wednesday, October 9, 2002 at the Boise Centre on the Grove.

And best of all it is Free!