The CENTRAL CALIFORNIA WOMEN'S CONFERENCE was founded in 1988 by State Senator Ken Maddy of Fresno, California. The conference is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, non-political organization designed to educate, motivate and inspire women to be the best they can be in their professional and personal lives. (Tax I.D. #77-0178140).

CCWC is a forum for women of all generations and backgrounds to share practical ideas on how to succeed in their careers while juggling increasingly complex and diverse life demands. The conference provides an exciting and fun atmosphere, where women come together to network. There are three general session keynote speakers and several professional breakout speakers providing seminars on a full range of issues affecting all women – in the workplace, at home and in the community. Information on the benefits of products and services of interest to women is also provided at the "Marketplace" – a trade show with over 175 exhibit booths.

Previous luncheon keynote speakers have included former Governor of Texas, Ann Richards; former first lady of Egypt, Jehan Sadat; surgeon and medical correspondent, Dr. Nancy Snyderman; news anchor and journalist, Paula Zahn; ABC news correspondent, Lynn Sherr; bestselling author and lecturer, Deepak Chopra; financial expert and author, Suze Orman; actress & singer, Vicki Lawrence; Rita Moreno; Olympic Gold Medalist, Wilma Rudolph; 20th Century Fox President, Sherry Lansing; actress & entertainer, Debbie Reynolds; author, Gail Sheehy; actress and breast cancer survivor, Marcia Wallace and Olympic Gold Medalist Peggy Fleming. In 2001, Cokie Roberts was booked, but because of September 11th, she was not able to travel and was replaced by international news correspondent & journalist, Bettina Gregory. Other Keynote Speakers were Erin Brockovich, Star Jones, Joan Lunden and Nancy Brinker, founder of The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation! For our 20th anniversary we brought to Fresno one of the screen's most beloved actresses…Goldie Hawn, and in 2008 with the focus on the economy, Suze Orman returned as the keynote speaker!! The 2007 and 2008 conferences sold out a month in advance.

In 2009, with our theme "Reinvest in You" CCWC brought Robin Roberts, of ABC's Good Morning America to Fresno to speak to the attendees at lunch. CCWC had another sell-out attendance of over 3,500!

For the 2010 Conference, CCWC has booked the international entertainment icon Marie Osmond as this year's luncheon keynote speaker. Another sell-out crowd is expected.

To date, over 67,000 women have attended the annual conference in Fresno, and hundreds of thousands of dollars have been donated to nonprofit charities that are solely for the support of women and children. These charities provide resources to women in the Central California valley such as emergency and homeless shelters, domestic violence and sexual assault, treatment and prevention, parenting classes and family counseling. We are pleased to announce that we will be donating $35,000 from the proceeds of the 2009 conference with a portion of this money designated for scholarships.

For additional conference or exhibit information, contact Mary Stabelfeld, Conference Coordinator, at (209) 668-6246. For Press or Sponsorship information, contact Jan Edwards, Director of Development, at (559) 436-4460.