News Room

USBLN® 2010 Annual Conference & Expo: Spotlight on Superior Programming: "Customer Service Is Our Business" and "The Veteran: From Military Hero to Civilian Employment"

WASHINGTON, DC (August 12, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) is pleased to spotlight its superior conference educational programming on a weekly basis leading up to its 13th Annual Conference & Expo being held on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. To view the full agenda with sessions and speakers confirmed to date, please visit: www.usblnannualconference.org/agenda.html. (DOC | PDF)

USBLN® 2010 Annual Conference & Expo: 30 Days Left to Register

WASHINGTON, DC (August 10, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) will host its 13th Annual Conference & Expo on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. Registration for the four-day conference including over 40 educational sessions, Expo, special events and many meals is the low rate of $395.00. There are 30 days remaining for online registration which will close on September 10, 2010. Single day rates and an additional discount are offered for two or more attendees from the same organization. For more information about the conference or to register, please visit www.usblnannualconference.org. (DOC | PDF)

USBLN® 2010 Annual Conference & Expo: Spotlight on Superior Programming: "Walgreens Expands Inclusion to Retail Division" and "Global Opportunities for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities"

WASHINGTON, DC (August 5, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) is pleased to spotlight its superior conference educational programming on a weekly basis leading up to its 13th Annual Conference & Expo being held on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. To view the full agenda with sessions and speakers confirmed to date, please visit: www.usblnannualconference.org. (DOC | PDF)

USBLN® Participates in ADA 20th Anniversary Celebrations

WASHINGTON, DC (August 2, 2010) – Last week the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) proudly joined in the many illustrious celebrations marking the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in Washington DC. John D. Kemp, USBLN® Executive Director & General Counsel, was joined by Beth Butler, Vice President, Accommodations Management, Wells Fargo Company and USBLN® Board Chair; Susan Palmer Mazrui, Director, Public Policy, AT&T and USBLN® Board member; Frances West, Director, IBM Human Ability & Accessibility Center and USBLN® Board member and Jill Houghton, USBLN® Deputy Executive Director, for several of the activities that took place on the Hill. (DOC | PDF)

USBLN® 2010 Annual Conference & Expo: Spotlight on Superior Programming: “Federal Rules and Resources” and “Workplace Realities”

WASHINGTON, DC (July 28, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) is pleased to spotlight its superior conference educational programming on a weekly basis leading up to its 13th Annual Conference & Expo being held on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. To view the full agenda with sessions and speakers confirmed to date, please visit: www.usblnannualconference.org/agenda.html. (DOC | PDF)

Nomination Process Now Open for 2010 USBLN® Annual Leadership Awards

WASHINGTON, DC (July 26, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) is pleased to announce the opening of the nomination process for their 2010 USBLN® Annual Leadership Awards. 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. (DOC | PDF)

USBLN® 2010 Annual Conference & Expo: Spotlight on Superior Programming: “Diversity in the Workplace” and “From Baghdad to Beijing”

WASHINGTON, DC (July 22, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) is pleased to spotlight its superior conference educational programming on a weekly basis leading up to its 13th Annual Conference & Expo being held on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. To view the full agenda with sessions and speakers confirmed to date, please visit: www.usblnannualconference.org/agenda.html. (DOC | PDF)

NGLCC and USBLN® Sign Historic Memo of Understanding

WASHINGTON, DC (July 19, 2010) – With the approaching July 26th, 2010, 20 year Anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act as the backdrop, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce® (NGLCC), the national certifying organization for LGBT-owned businesses, and the US Business Leadership Network® (USBLN), the national certifying body for disability-owned businesses, are proud to announce a collaborative partnership designed to advance business opportunities for LGBT business owners, as well as, business owners with disabilities. (DOC | PDF)

USBLN® 2010 Annual Conference & Expo: Last Chance for Discounted Early-bird Rate

WASHINGTON, DC (July 14, 2010) – The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) will host its 13th Annual Conference & Expo on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. Attendees are encouraged to register today and take advantage of their early-bird rate of $325.00 through July 15, registration increases to $395.00 thereafter. (DOC | PDF)

Agenda Now Available for the USBLN® 2010 Annual Conference & Expo

WASHINGTON, DC (July 8, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) has posted its agenda with confirmed sessions and speakers to date for its 13th Annual Conference & Expo being held on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. To view the agenda, please visit: www.usblnannualconference.org/agenda.html. (DOC | PDF)

US Business Leadership Network Announces Confirmed Outstanding Speakers for its 2010 Annual Conference: 15 Days Left for Discounted Early-bird Rate

WASHINGTON, DC (July 1, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) announces a dynamic line-up of speakers to date for its 2010 Annual Conference, "Aligning Disability with the Bottom Line: Talent, Market Share, and Supplier Diversity" being held on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. The conference will offer informative and valuable general plenary and breakout sessions with the following outstanding speakers confirmed to date (line-up subject to change without notice): (DOC | PDF)

USBLN® 2010 Annual Conference & Expo: 30 Days Left for Discounted Early-bird Rate

WASHINGTON, DC (June 15, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) will host its 13th Annual Conference & Expo on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. Conference registration is now open with an early-bird rate for the four-day conference including over 30 educational sessions, Expo, special events and many meals for $325.00. After July 15, 2010 the rate increases to $395.00. As an added incentive to the $70.00 discount off the standard conference registration, early registrants will be entered to win fabulous prizes. Single day rates and an additional discount are offered for two or more attendees from the same organization. For more information about the conference or to register, please visit www.usblnannualconference.org. (DOC | PDF)

USBLN® Disability Supplier Diversity Program Featured in Business Law Today “Obtaining Disability-Owned Business Enterprise Certification”

WASHINGTON, DC (May 25, 2010) – The US Business Leadership Network’s (USBLN®) Disability Supplier Diversity Program^SM (DSDP) has been published in the May/June 2010 issue of Business Law Today in an article entitled, “Obtaining Disability-Owned Business Enterprise Certification – A Lawyer’s Guide to Supplier Diversity.” The article was written by John D. Kemp, USBLN® Executive Director and General Counsel and Aditi Dussault, Director of Affiliate Relations & Disability Supplier Diversity Program.

An excerpt of the article is as follows: In today’s competitive business climate, distinguishing yourself, understanding your client’s many needs, and providing outstanding service are all key to getting and keeping business. This article explains (1) the value of obtaining certification as a business owned by individuals with disabilities and (2) what advice to provide to a business considering certification. (DOC | PDF)

Maggie Roffee Joins the USBLN® as Senior Corporate Relations Manager

WASHINGTON, DC (May 19, 2010) – Today, the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) announced that Maggie Roffee, a recently retired, long-term senior executive from the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) within the US Department of Labor (DOL), has joined the USBLN® as a consultant.

“I am highly honored to have Maggie Roffee join our dynamic team as our Senior Corporate Relations Manager. She will work closely on the Campaign for Disability Employment and with our existing and potential Corporate Members. Maggie is exceptionally well-respected in all disability employment circles and we are very pleased that she has chosen to work with us,” shared John D. Kemp, USBLN® Executive Director & General Counsel. (DOC | PDF)

"Fighting for Disability Rights: Supplier Certification Is a Key Step to Accountability" DiversityInc.com Article Featuring John D. Kemp

WASHINGTON, DC (May 6, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) today announced that an article published by DiversityInc.com features an interview with John D. Kemp, USBLN® Executive Director & General Counsel. The article entitled, “Fighting for Disability Rights: Supplier Certification Is a Key Step to Accountability” was written by Sam Ali on May 3, 2010.  (DOC | PDF)

Disability Supplier Diversity Program (DSDP) on Disabilities At Work Radio Show

WASHINGTON, DC (April 15, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) Executive Director John D. Kemp and Affiliate Director Aditi Dussault were featured speakers on Disabilities At Work Radio on its premier show that aired on April 14, 2010 at Noon Eastern Time. John and Aditi discussed the USBLN, its mission and its programs, to a worldwide audience on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel (www.VoiceAmerica.com).  (DOC | PDF)

“Aligning Disability with the Bottom Line: Talent, Market Share, and Supplier Diversity”: The USBLN® Announces its 13th Annual 2010 Annual Conference & Expo September 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois

WASHINGTON, DC (April 6, 2010) – The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) will host its 13th Annual Conference & Expo on September 19-22, 2010 at the Westin Michigan Avenue Hotel located in Chicago, Illinois. Entitled, “Aligning Disability with the Bottom Line: Talent, Market Share, and Supplier Diversity” it is the preeminent national employer- to-employer event that taps the incredible economic potential of people with disabilities to enhance business productivity and profitability. This conference brings corporate, government, disability-owned businesses and BLN affiliate leaders together to create workplaces, marketplaces, and supply chains where people with disabilities are fully included as professionals, customers and entrepreneurs. (DOC | PDF)

US Business Leadership Network Cited as Resource for Disabled Entrepreneurs in Bloomberg BusinessWeek

WASHINGTON, DC (April 5, 2010) - The US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) today announced that an article published by Bloomberg BusinessWeek includes quotes about the USBLN® from both Jill Houghton, Deputy Executive Director and information on our Disability Supplier Diversity Program (DSDP) from Aditi Dussault, Program Director. (DOC | PDF)

USBLN Announces its 2010 Board of Directors; New Board includes Representatives from AT&T, Ernst & Young, Merck & Co. Inc. and Microtel Inns and Suites

WASHINGTON, DC (March 10, 2010) – Today, the US Business Leadership Network (USBLN®) announced its 2010 Board of Directors. New representation on the USBLN® Board of Directors includes Deborah Dagit, Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Merck & Co. Inc.’s Diversity, Work Environment & University Relations, Roy E. Flora, Group President of Microtel Inns and Suites and Baymont Inn & Suites, Lori Golden, Inclusiveness Consultant and Lead of Ernst & Young’s firm-sponsored inclusiveness initiative AccessAbilities and Susan Palmer Mazrui, Director of AT&T’s Public Policy. (DOC | PDF)