Lorraine Lewis is a down to earth Feng Shui consultant. Her excellent approach will help you to get yourself and your business ready for the New Year ahead.

An inspiring sight and sound event with Artist Sue McDonagh listen to her story and at the same time see an artist with a growing international reputation work on one of her paintings.

We celebrate International Womens Day with Margaret Hewlett of Penarth Travel Limited, Winner of the Welsh Woman of the Year Award, Small Business Owner Category, in 2003.

This day of training will give you some networking essentials for business survival and growth; and provide insider tips about how to use the internet as a networking forum to maximise your business exposure and increase your sales.

This is not one to be missed: an irresistible chocolate-tasting experience to appeal to your taste buds with chocolate expert Mary Roberts, of Cocoa & Co.

With Lis Burnett from CriA and Dave Edwards, Business Links Development Officer, VCVS.

A return visit from our first ever guest speaker, Marianne Pettifor of Frogmore Consulting: specialist in Motivational Training and Development and holder of a National Training Award for Service and Sales.

A valuable chance to learn about how to present yourself and your business for maximum impact; this course will also address getting your financial management right to make the most of your profits.

You need never think I wish Id said again! Marilia Angove, Holistic Accelerated Training (HAT) will take you through proven methods that increase your personal and professional assertiveness.

Your chance to gain maximum exposure for your business and profile your company to many new contacts. VWBN members will be participating in the Vale Show daytime event, no evening meeting.

Take safety seriously this networking event offers a useful take on risk assessment.

This excellent course will show you the benefits of mentoring as a means to drive your business forward; and will offer invaluable advice about managing the people dimension to aid your growth.

A superb opportunity to gain insider knowledge of the media industry; and use it to gain effective and ongoing promotion for your business.

Your guide to healthy eating, combating stress and improving physical fitness for a healthy business.  With Anne Phillips, Vale of Glamorgan Health Promotion Service (NHS)

An invaluable day of training. Learn about the most effective ways to negotiate customer, supplier and employee relationships and brush up on your legal obligations: contracts, employees, H&S.

Christmas networking dinner.  Book your place now! Last years hugely successful event was at the Bear Hotel, Cowbridge and was attended by many businesswomen. Dont miss out on this chance to have fun whilst increasing your business contacts and meeting friends old and new.

Dr Elizabeth J Muir, former Business Woman and now Senior Lecturer at the Welsh Enterprise Insitute University of Glamorgan.

The focus for this event will be on "Planning and Achieving Success" with our two experienced, interesting and energetic guest speakers Sian Rees and Bee Milbourn

This is the last session in the free Confident in Business series of courses - Focus on Creativity and Innovation. With guest speaker Carrie Shapiro of Carrie Elspeth Ltd, recent winner of the World Young Business Achiever Award for Innovation and Creativity.

Panel of Speakers  including World Young Business Achiever Innovation and Creativity award winner - Carrie Shapiro of Carrie Elspeth Ltd.

All you ever wanted to know about franchising but were afraid to ask! - Panel of speakers with personal experience.

Ever wished someone would talk you through getting the most from IT for your business, in a  normal, down-to-earth, non-technical way? Yes? then, this is a must for you!

A night of Innovation, Creativity and Networking!  Identify new ways to take your business forward and get to know other participants better.

Midsummer Madness VWBN Style! Strawberries, champagne and guest speaker.

"What happens when you're ill? - I can't afford to be!" is a familiar conversation among business owners.  At our September event, a panel of speakers will focus on preventing illness, promoting well being and maintaining good health.

Panel of speakers including Sarah Whittle (Morgan Cole), speaking on Dealing with Problems! (e.g. invoicing, debt recovery, customer complaints) and Annie Ansari speaking on Regulatory Reform (fire safety).

Maximise your communication skills and Maximise your Business!  Meet in the Bar from 6.30pm for networking, and the main event is from 7 9 pm

A fun and relaxing evening and an ideal opportunity to catch up with existing contacts and make new ones. At the Olive Tree in Penarth

The perfect antidote to January - a taste of the Mediterranean also including some wine tasting!

Creativity in Marketing / Finding New Markets - a workshop with Julie Thomas.  Don't be too busy to miss it! Please note that advance booking is essential for this event, as numbers are strictly limited. Guests are of course very welcome!

A sophisticated event at an exclusive location! The VWBN March event, organised and sponsored by Catwalk Wales, will be in the wonderful setting of the stylish Park House Club in Cardiff.

April's VWBN event looks at risk assessment and features a case study from the Barefoot Studio

How will you afford to retire? The latest research on women business owners and their pension plans, and planning for a secure retirement!

What's your PR strategy? This evening we have two speakers, both experts in their respective fields of PR and verbal communications.

Please note the change of date for this meeting to the advertised program date. This will be an interactive, relaxing evening hosted by the Barefoot Studio in Cowbridge, on the 26th July 2006.  Places are very limited so booking in advance is essential!

Promote your business and the VWBN at the same time, in the VWBN marquee at the Vale Show!

Our September event will be a sneak 'pre-taste' of the Cowbridge Food and Wine Festival.  There will be a talk by Polly Wilson, the organiser of the Cowbridge Food and Wine Festival; plus a demonstration and some participation!

Very useful for both new and established businesses: come along to this event for tips on getting the most out of working with your accountant!  Fleur Conrad from In the Black will be our guest speaker, and there will be a break part way through for some facilitated networking.

Don't miss this event: the last networking meeting before our Christmas supper this year will be an evening about looking good for business success, success stories from inspiring women, and a Christmas market (a chance to really promote your business and / or buy some gorgeous gifts!)

Our popular annual dinner.  This year we will be holding our Christmas event at Illtud's 216 in Llantwit Major. Our Christmas event tends to gets booked up very quickly so we would advise that you reserve your place with us as early as you can.

Start the year as you mean to go on! More details will be available soon.

Cheryl Bass, an international business consultant and trainer will be the guest speaker at this month's event. Cheryl has been voted one of the 100 Brilliant Women of Britain for two years running by Cosmopolitan magazine for her work in the entrepreneurial domain.

Join us on Wednesday 18 April 2007 at Cottrell Park, Bonvilston, 7.00 to 9.00pm, when the Vale Business Womens Network is hosting a Spring Networking Dinner!

How, why and who? PR experts will be on hand to talk about how networking can benefit your business and to identify the best networking strategies. Learn how to get the most from networking and practice it in our usual informal and friendly atmosphere.

The weekend of 11 - 12th August 2007.  Full details and prices will be available soon!

Come and promote your own business at the VWBN stand at this busy annual agricultural show at Fonmon showground.  Many thanks to our sponsor: Rebecca Exley Groundwater Ltd

...its all down to mind, body and attitude! Life Coach Allyson Gale reminds us how to get the right work/life balance and we look at ways of helping our bodies cope.

A great sales opportunity for members with something special to sell, a great Christmas present shopping opportunity for everyone else, plus plenty of time for informal networking!

Kick off the New Year with inspiring anecdotes from VWBN founder members, whose businesses and careers have taken some interesting turns since 2002

An opportunity to review your business relationships and explore how mentoring could add value. This interactive session is led by Gwenda Williams, creative strategist and consultant to people in business

As well as releasing those 'happy' endorphins, walking and talking gets our creative juices flowing! Come and find out for yourself on a non-strenuous walk to and from a pub near Cowbridge - supper is optional. Click through for more details!

Planning to take an exhibition stand but not sure where to start? Julie Collins of Cardiff-based marketing and event consultancy Collins & Collins reveals what we need to know

Members only event, advance booking essential! Vale of Glamorgan AM Jane Hutt, joined by other high-profile Welsh women in the public arena, hosts a visit to the Senedd Welsh Assembly Building.

Our popular annual outing to a restaurant in the Vale. This year we are going to Farthings in Cowbridge. Please book your place ASAP!

Dont miss this opportunity to get 2009 off to a strong start. This practical workshop will leave you feeling more confident for the year ahead. Facilitated by Nadine Honeybone of Designs on Life.

In memory of Yvonne and in association with cancer support groups, this interactive exhibition offers you the chance to indulge in a range of complementary therapies to boost your health and well being.

Calling new members! This group-working session is a fantastic opportunity for new members to learn more about the VWBN and spark new creative and innovative ideas to grow their business. Come and join us!

All you need to know about identity fraud, copyright, patents, intellectual property rights ... dont let someone steal your business.

This fun and interactive team working session will leave your mind energised and your contacts book a little fuller.

Need advice? Whatever your problem or dilemma, our Question Time evening will help you to find the answer youre looking for. Please note amended location: Trio Brasserie in Cowbridge

A great opportunity for VWBN members to network and showcase their products and services while enjoying a tipple. This event will be held in the beautiful Glyndwr Vineyard, Llanblethian - opposite the Cross Inn

This is our popular annual party and this year it's being held at Trio Brasserie in Cowbridge, from a really Relaxed 6.30 pm onwards!

What a fantastic kick start to the 2010 programme ...... we are pleased to introduce a fantastic interactive workshop with Top Chartered Occupational Psychologist Philippa Hain.

Two sensational speakers - Pauline Turner and Ally O’Meally Watson - will demystify all things financial, including the pros and cons of accountants and book-keepers, VAT registration, limited company versus sole trader. So whether you’re starting up or already established in business and rethinking your money affairs, this event is for you.

Join us at this illustrious venue to hear the name of the winner of the VWBN’s first ‘Spirit of Giving’ business and community award. This is also an exclusive opportunity to view the beautiful and inspirational photographic collection called ‘Coast’ by award-winning fine art photographer, Anna Proctor, over a glass of bubbly. Booking essential.

In this practical event, find out how to ‘sell’ your company effectively. Discover what makes a good advertisement – what information to include, how to present it, how to organise advertising and get the best rates. And under Chatham House rules, get feedback from your peers on how to improve your marketing literature to get that wow factor.

For the third year running, our popular walk through the Vale returns when members and guests can network, stimulate the creative senses or simply enjoy the tranquil scenery. And as has become tradition, everyone is welcome to stay and network over a hearty meal afterwards! This year we meet at The Blue Anchor Inn at East Abethaw for a walk in the Aberthaw Nature Reserve.

Are you curious about blogs, pokes, tweets and online networking sites such as Facebook and Linkedin? Come along and find out what social media can do for your business, how it can help you engage with your customers and raise your company profile.  

Taking place in one of South Wales’ most amazing attractions, our pre-school holiday get-together promises to be not just your usual networking event. As well as finding out how The Roundhouse was achieved, there’ll be an opportunity for turning your hand to something unexpectedly new.

Year on year, our presence grows as members take advantage of exhibiting their products and services via the VWBN stand at this hugely-popular event in the Vale. Members only.

Facilitated by Julie Thomas of Simply The Best training consultancy, this strictly-timed speed networking event with a difference will be the perfect opportunity to meet and greet as many contacts as possible – strengthening old ones, forging new ones – in the relaxed and informal setting of this cosy restaurant.

Are you successful if you make loads of money or have you achieved your goal with a strong work-life balance? How do you define being successful? This event will support you in helping to define your goals and will inspire you for the future. Sponsored by Praxis Training and Consultancy.

Come and network in the sumptuously stylish surroundings of Wales’ first boutique hotel. The evening will be an opportunity to delight in some delicious nibbles and indulge in some pre-festive seasonal cheer whilst chatting to both old and new friends and colleagues.

For the first time, VWBN members will be taken on an exclusive tour of Media Wales’ new offices. Learn how the media works and get top tips on dealing with the media from the people writing the stories. Booking essential, limited to 12 people.

Sponsored by presstocontact.com

Look like you mean business in 2011 and discover your style personality, courtesy of Sue Smart of positivelysmart.com. This fun interactive event will make you think about how you express yourself through clothing - and the handbag is a very useful starting point.

From your website planning and research, to big marketing campaigns; whatever your budget, Sybil Fowler’s friendly and bang-on trend approach will help both new and established businesses to access all areas. VWBN Members can also claim a free 1 hour consultation with Sybil post event. www

Are you award-winning material? Do you know how to impress a panel of judges? But do you know that if your evidence is poor, you shan’t get the credit you deserve, no matter how good your story is. Hear from award-winning business woman, Janet Scicluna on why more women should be encouraged to go for national awards.

With the holiday season rapidly approaching why not take that first step and join personal fitness consultant Ruth Thomas for an hour of fitness, nutrition and advice on how to get that beach- friendly body in time for your holidays! Appropriate clothing, water and a towel are essential.

Investing in you is the first step towards investing in your business. So why not join Mel Webb and her team (karmabeauty.webs.com) for an evening of pure indulgence. There’ll be taster manicure, pedicure and reiki sessions, a make-up masterclass, holistic therapies and one lucky lady will

Selling is a part of business that many people dislike; so ahead of the 2011 Vale Show, why not invest some time to practice your sales technique. Julie Thomas of Simply The Best training consultancy will take you through the tried and trusted ways to help you develop a sales pitch that hi

Spend a delicious evening tasting summer fruits and sipping bubbly at Wild Fig café (fruitgarden.co.uk). Our midsummer event is a perfect opportunity to relax and mingle with familiar as well as new colleagues in this handpicked venue. All are welcome although numbers are limited to 20.

Thousands of people flock to the Vale Show every year and your business can be there at very little cost as part of the VWBN’s stand. Members can take advantage of our high profile position at the show to sell products and promote services. Email members@vwbn.org.uk to register.

Is your office in chaos? Research has shown that a well-designed office space can increase productivity and reduce stress. Established interior designer, Bronwen Ackerman will show you simple and easy ways to improve your place of work with a small budget, a little creativity and a bit of ergonomic sense.

Whether it’s for a company video or for the media, being interviewed on camera can seem a daunting prospect. How would you react when the pressure is on? Come along to October’s unique event for tips on handling media interviews from experienced journalists Eleri Jones and Julie Barton.

Banish those autumn blues by joining us at our annual networking dinner. We have exclusive use of The Quater Penny Cafe, in Cowbridge, for the evening. Natalie will provide a 2 course hot buffet to provide a friendly and relaxing atmosphere in which to network.

Consultant and teacher Lorraine Lewis brings her own brand of 'Spacesence' to this event. Would you like to improve your business turnover for 2012 in an easy, practical and inexpensive way? This is a Business Diet like no other - simple and powerful. Wake up to your 'Spacesense' and see t

Interactive expert, Russell Davies of Lobster Web Design, Cardiff offers hands on advice on how using social media can help grow your business.