Over 150 registrants and 13 sponsors/vendors benefitted from outstanding presentations on topics designed to increase their business success at the first “Chicks Who Click” conference to be sponsored by PPA Charities. The conference not only received rave reviews from attendees, it also succeeded in raising more than $30,000 for PPACH.

This financial outcome was especially rewarding, as the primary organizers, Bert Behnke, Mary Fisk-Taylor, and Kay Eskridge, had less than four months to organize and publicize the event. “Part of this success was our good fortune in having such an amazing group of presenters volunteer their services on behalf of PPA Charities,” said PPACH President Mary Fisk-Taylor. “The Chicks Conference was a real team effort, with volunteers, trustees, speakers, vendors and attendees all helping to make it a huge success.”


The funds raised will allow PPACH to cover part of its yearly operating expenses, which will help the organization to meet its 2010 goal of raising $120,000 for its charitable partner, Operation Smile, an increase of $20,000 over the 2009 donation of $100,000.


An internal survey sent to attendees gave the conference a rating of 9.2 on a 10-point scale. The FireSky Resort and Spa received a 9.5 rating. Over 50% of the respondents stated that it was their first PPA conference, all said they would consider attending again, and the majority stated they preferred the same resort/area. According to the organizers, the hotel was extremely easy to work with and a great value for attendees. The hot weather, they said, was offset by the spa and pool facilities available on the property.

The setting and mood was perfect for networking and fun:

And who could forget the vendor goodies . . .

. . . the gastronomic goodies . . .

. . . and time to shop at the Boutique!

According to a pile of testimonials, everyone appreciated the high level of educational sharing . . .


. . . made possible by an exceptionally talented group of speakers.

A real CWC highlight was the drawing and awarding of a grand prize of over $4,000 donated by speakers and vendors, which was won by lucky Colorado photographer Heather Leider.

Attendees also received first-hand knowledge about the exceptional work of PPACH’s charitable partner, Operation Smile, through a presentation by Angie Weedon, a PPACH Trustee, who, through her studio’s outstanding fund-raising efforts, was the first PPA-member photographer to earn the right to document an Operation Smile mission trip.

You can watch a video of Angie’s Operation Smile mission images by clicking here.


Thanks also to PPACH Trustee Graham Wilson, who was on hand to spread the word about Operation Smile Studios. We greatly appreciate those attendees who signed up to become PPA Operation Smile Studios at the conference. If you have not already decided to join, take a look at our new PPA Operation Smile Studio video by clicking here. Becoming an Operation Smile Studio is a great way to support PPA Charities and a wonderful means of communicating to your clients that you run a business that reaches out to help others.

Special thanks go out to “Chicks” organizers Bert Behnke, PPACH executive director . . .

PPACH President Mary Fisk-Taylor . . .

. . . our oh-so-supportive vendors . . .

. . . and Honorary PPACH Trustee (Arizona) Kay Eskridge, our eyes and ears in Scottsdale. . . and the best welcoming-committee-of-one ever!

Thanks for Supporting PPA Charities!

In the coming months PPACH Trustees will be reviewing conference possibilities for next year. So check our website often!

Photography provided by Jamie Hayes, M.Photog.Cr.