Conferences & Events

US Business Leadership Network 13th Annual Conference

Aligning Disability with the Bottom Line: Talent, Market Share, and Supplier Diversity
September 19-22 | Chicago, IL | Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel

The 2010 USBLN® Annual Conference & Expo Aligning Disability with the Bottom Line: Talent, Market Share, and Supplier Diversity is the preeminent national employer-to-employer event that taps into the vast economic potential of people with disabilities. This conference brings corporate, government, disability-owned businesses and BLN affiliates together to create workplaces, marketplaces, and supply chains where people with disabilities are fully included  as professionals, customers and entrepreneurs.

Join us in Chicago, Illinois on September 19-22, 2010 for the US Business Leadership Network’s 13th Annual Conference at the Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago Hotel. Enjoy all the best Chicago has to offer including fine dining, world-famous museums, legendary entertainment, and much more.

For conference details, please visit: www.usblnannualconference.org

(DOC | PDF) - View Postcard

Registration is NOW OPEN!  <<

USBLN® Annual Leadership Awards

The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) is pleased to announce the opening of the nomination process for their 2010 USBLN® Annual Leadership Awards on July 26, 2010. The purpose of the 2010 USBLN® Annual Leadership Awards is to further the USBLN® mission of identifying leading disability workplace, market place and supply chain practices in use today. These awards provide the metrics by which our Volunteers, Partners, Employers and BLNs are recognized for their demonstration of outstanding commitment to promoting disability diversity across the enterprise. Award recipients clearly embody the highest ethical standards and values in our community.

The awards will recognize leaders in seven categories including:

USBLN® Affiliate of the Year
The outstanding BLN Affiliate of the Year is one that has demonstrated exemplary efforts in promoting the vision, mission and spirit of the USBLN®. As a result of this BLN Affiliate’s efforts, employers and their communities understand, utilize, and benefit from the valuable resources that people with disabilities present in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain.

USBLN® Lead Employer of the Year
The outstanding Lead Employer award is presented to the lead employer of a BLN Affiliate that has provided exemplary service to ensure the mission, vision, and the spirit of the USBLN® is carried out.

USBLN® Partner of the Year
The outstanding Partner award is given to a governmental organization, non-profit organization or rehabilitation provider agency demonstrating exemplary service in partnership with the local or state BLN(s).

USBLN® Volunteer of the Year
The Volunteer award is presented to the volunteer who has provided exemplary service, positive impact and longevity to ensure the mission, vision, and the spirit of the BLN movement is carried forth, nationally, regionally or locally.

USBLN® Supplier Diversity Corporation of the Year
The Supplier Diversity Corporation award is presented to the employer that has demonstrated outstanding inclusion of disability-owned businesses in their corporate supplier diversity program.

USBLN® Employee Resource Group (ERG) of the Year
The Employee Resource Group (ERG) award is presented to the national ERG leader(s) and Executive Level Sponsors of the ERG that has demonstrated exemplary strategies that have advanced disability inclusiveness in the workplace, marketplace and supply chain.

USBLN® Market Share Corporation of the Year
The Market Share Corporation of the Year award is presented to the employer that has demonstrated exceptional products and/or services to benefit the disability community.

Nomination forms are now available in Word document format via the links listed above for each category. The deadline for nominee submissions is August 11, 2010 at 5:00 pm EDT. Organizations are welcomed to self-nominate and may submit nominations for multiple categories for consideration; however, one form per category must be completed. Please submit nomination forms to: Anita Howard, USBLN® Senior Project Manager, at anita@usbln.org. Note that late submissions will not be accepted.

Award recipients will be selected by committee in mid-August and will be announced at the USBLN® 2010 Annual Conference & Expo in Chicago, Illinois on September 21 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel. For more information or to register for the annual conference, visit: http://www.usblnannualconference.org.

2009 Exceptional Leadership Award winners Announced!

• Employer of the Year
  Michigan Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Partner of the Year
  Wilson Resources, Inc.
• Affiliate of the Year
  Wyoming BLN Affiliate

Leadership Award - Press Release 2009 (pdf)

Past Award Recipients:

2008 Exceptional Leadership Award winners Announced!

• Employer of the Year
  Travelers
• Partner of the Year
  Incight
• Affiliate of the Year
  First Coast BLN Affiliate

Leadership Award - Press Release 2008 (pdf)

2007 Exceptional Leadership Award Winners Announced!

• Employer of the Year
  Holland & Knight, LLC.
• Partner of the Year
  The Able Trust
• Chapter of the Year
  Louisiana BLN Chapter

Leadership Award - Press Release 2007 (pdf)

2006 Exceptional Leadership Award Winners Announced!

• Employer of the Year
  Comcast Cablevision
• Partner of the Year 2005
  St. Louis County Special School District
  Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities
• Chapter of the Year
  Utah Business Employer Team (UBET) BLN Chapter of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce

US Business Leadership Network & Pennsylvania BLN: “Tuesday Talks”
Free Calls…Valuable Networking & Education

Tuesday Talks with the PA BLN allow companies from across the state and country to quickly learn about a valuable resource or success story related to the employment of people with disabilities. These free monthly phone calls are scheduled on the second Tuesday of every month from 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST.

Participants are also able to have discussions with their peers about topics that address: ideas for accommodations; ways to improve recruitment and/or retention; ideas for becoming a company of choice for employees and customers; strategies for compliance; financial incentives available to businesses; and more!

Interested parties should pre-register to gain access to these conference calls controlled by the PA BLN. To register, contact Stacy Kyle at 717-763-0968 ext. 115 or stacy.kyle@blnofpa.org.

Download Tuesday Talks Schedule [DOC | PDF].

US Business Leadership Network Webinar Series

More information to come...