(KENILWORTH, NJ) -- Women in business have always faced obstacles, and the COVID-19 pandemic has added complex new challenges. New connections with resources and guidance are needed now more than ever. To help forge those bonds, the Union County Commissioner Board invites all women owners, managers, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to attend the next Union County Women Mean Business Summit.

The UCWMB Summit is a full day of networking and peer learning on Tuesday, October 25 from 9:00am to 3:00pm in the Clubhouse at Union County’s Galloping Hill Golf Course, located at 3 Golf Drive in Kenilworth.

“We started the annual UCWMB series to help ensure that the rich, diverse talents of women are fully represented in the economic life of our community,” said Commissioner Chair Rebecca Williams. “We all thrive when women in business can make the connections that enable them to become leaders and influencers.”

The 2022 UCWMB Summit is supported by more than a dozen sponsors and partners, many of which will have representatives at the event who are eager to connect with Union County women in business.

The theme of this year’s UCWMB Summit is “Lessons in Leadership.” The program features skill-building breakout sessions that reflect the new normal of virtual meetings and remote work, along with sessions on negotiating, building relationships, and starting a small business.

The event includes ample time for networking and a keynote speech by Judith Persichilli, Commissioner of the New Jersey State Department of Health. Lunch and a continental breakfast are also included.

Please note, tickets will not be sold at the door. Pre-registration is required online at ucnj.org/ucwmb. Lunch and breakfast are included in the registration fee.

The “early bird” registration fee of $50.00 is in effect until midnight on Friday, October 14. After 12:01 a.m. on October 15, a registration fee of $55.00 applies.

The sponsors of the 2022 Union County Women Mean Business are Atlantic Health System, Kemper, The Mills at Jersey Gardens, the leading communications firm JCT Solutions, the new “mobile restaurant” company Wonder and United Airlines.

The partners are: the Union County Economic Development Corporation (UCEDC), Cranford Chamber of Commerce, Suburban Chamber of Commerce, Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Kean University, Union College, New Jersey Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC), Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, the Union Township Chamber of Commerce and the New Jersey Pride Chamber of Commerce.

The Union County Women Mean Business Summit is a program of the Union County Department of Economic Development through the Office on Women. For more information about this event, please visit ucnj.org/ucwmb or call Jennifer Erdos of the Union County Office on Women at 908-527-4216.

For information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including free vaccination, free testing and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.