U.S. Chamber to Launch Military Spouse Business Alliance

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Chamber of CommerceProgram Will Address 26% Military Spouse Unemployment Rate and Career Advancement Issues

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes, with partners, will host the Military Spouse Career Forum, the largest-ever hiring fair exclusively for military and veteran spouses, at the Washington Convention Center.  More than 1,000 spouses and 100 Washington-area and national employers are expected to attend. At the event, Hiring Our Heroes will be launching the Military Spouse Business Alliance, which will improve the lives of working military spouses through a series of initiatives, including mentoring, entrepreneurial opportunities, and addressing licensing issues. The event will also kick off with a career forum, which will include résumé and interview workshops, small-group mentoring with senior women executives and military spouses, an entrepreneur’s pavilion, and image workshops.

 WHO:

David Chavern, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Kevin Schmiegel, Vice President for the Veterans Affairs Initiative, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Laura Dempsey, Director, Military Spouse Program, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Mrs. Patricia Shinseki, Senior Advisor to Joining Forces and spouse of the Honorable Erik Shinseki, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Mrs. Mary Winnefeld, spouse of ADM James Winnefeld, Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Mrs. Bonnie Amos, spouse of GEN James Amos, Commandant of the Marine Corps
Mrs. Susie Schwartz, spouse of GEN Norton Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Mrs. Lisa Battaglia, spouse of Command Sergeant Major Bryan Battaglia, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Honorable Rob Gordon, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community  and Family Policy
Doreen Gentzler, NBC4 News Anchor

 WHAT:

U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Military Spouse Career Forum and Hiring Fair

 WHEN:

Friday, January 13, 2012
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT

 WHERE:

Walter E. Washington Convention Center
801 Mt. Vernon Place, NW
Washington, DC 20001

 RSVP:

RSVP – credentialed members of the media are invited to register through jason@markhamgroup.com or by calling 202-436-2260.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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