The Commonwealth Institute Marks Five Year’s in South Florida With it’s Annual Leadership Luncheon Featuring Maxine Clark

The Commonwealth Institute marks five year’s in South Florida with it’s Annual Leadership Luncheon featuring Maxine Clark

The Commonwealth Institute South Florida (TCI) celebrates its fifth anniversary this November at their annual leadership luncheon.  This year’s featured speaker is local Coral Gables High graduate, Maxine Clark, Founder, Chief Executive Bear and Chairman, Build-A-Bear Workshop® Where Best Friends Are Made® .  Maxine is one of the true innovators in the retail industry. During her 30-year career, her ability to spot emerging retail and merchandising trends and her insight into the desires of the American consumer have generated growth for retail leaders, including department store, discount and specialty stores.
“We are delighted to welcome such a high profile woman entrepreneur.  The fact that Maxine created such a unique concept and took it nationwide certainly makes for an interesting story to share,” said Jodi Cross, Executive Director of TCI South Florida.

Last year’s event brought together over 300 women from across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.   As TCI celebrates its fifth anniversary, we also celebrate the women who we have helped achieve greater professional success and their positive impact on the economy.  Ms. Clark is a wonderful example of a successful woman who has been a role model to many women throughout her career.

Table sponsorships are available from $1,500. Tickets are $125 for members or $150 for non-members. For more information and for tickets, call 305-799-6547 or email tspooner@commonwealthinstitute.org or visit www.commonwealthinstitute.org .

WHEN: 12:00 p.m.  – 2:00 p.m.
Friday, November 14, 2008
WHERE:  JW Marriot Hotel
Grand Ballroom
Miami, FL 33131
About Maxine Clark
In 1997, Maxine founded Build-A-Bear Workshop, a teddy-bear themed retail-entertainment experience. Today, there are more than 385 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.  In 2008, Maxine Clark was named one of The 25 Most Influential People in Retailing by Chain Store Age.  In 2006, she was inducted into the Junior Achievement National Business Hall of Fame and received the 2006 Luminary Award for Entrepreneurial Achievement from the Committee of 200.