SYRACUSE — The CEO of a boutique-style jewelry company, and the woman known as “SmallBizLady,” are the keynote speakers for the 12th annual WISE Symposium on April 8 at the Oncenter in Syracuse.

WISE is short for Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship.

The WISE Symposium is a one-day conference that brings together women in business ranging from entrepreneurs to those working at the corporate level, says Lindsay Wickham, events and communications manager for the WISE Symposium. 

“It’s basically professional development and a day of motivation and inspiration,” Wickham says.

The event is scheduled between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and includes speakers, activities, and opportunities for networking.

Amy Cosper, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine, will provide a “State of Women in Business” update to begin the event.

“She’s an expert in all things small business,” Wickham says.

The agenda then continues with Melinda Emerson, branded as SmallBizLady and CEO of Drexel Hill, Pa.–based Quintessence Multimedia, who will deliver the morning keynote address.

Quintessence Multimedia is a social-media strategy and content-development firm. Emerson develops audio, video, and written content to help her “Fortune 500 clients engage small-business customers,” according to the website for the Melinda Emerson Foundation. 

Emerson’s presentation, “How to Reinvent Your Business and Become a Social Media Ninja” will seek to inspire attendees to achieve their potential by “dreaming big” and using tools, resources, and social media to reach their goals, according to a WISE Symposium news release.

“Her focus is going to be on reinventing your business and how to … use social media to create a larger network,” Wickham says.

Emerson is currently the “most highly followed woman entrepreneur” on Twitter, according to Wickham. Emerson currently has 255,000 followers on Twitter under her handle @SmallBizLady,

Emerson is also author of “Become Your Own Boss in 12 months.”

Later in the day, Jessica Herrin, CEO of Burlingame, Calif.–based Stella & Dot LLC, will deliver the WISE Symposium’s afternoon keynote address, “Achieving Success and Balance through a Career You Love.”

In her remarks, Herrin will describe her entrepreneurial journey designing a career that fit with her family priorities.

“She’s going to focus more on balance and how to keep yourself balanced between work and your life outside of work and why it’s important to do something that you love,” explains Wickham.

Herrin, Emerson, and Cosper are among 60 speakers who will participate in the WISE Symposium. Many are sharing their expertise in three breakout sessions focusing on a variety of business topics, according to the event brochure.

The topics include social entrepreneurship, negotiation skills, forming partnerships, health and wellness, time management, according to Wickham.

The speakers also include Alicia Marie, CEO of Texas–based People Biz Inc., a coaching and training company.

During her stay in Syracuse, Marie will conduct a two-day, leadership-training seminar entitled “Coaching Skills for Managers,” which is set for April 9 and 10 at the Syracuse Tech Garden.

“It’s all focused on communication and how effective communication really can help build your business,” Wickham says.

The seminar is worth 12 continuing-education credits. Professionals in industries, such as law and accounting, are required to earn a certain number of education credits annually, she adds. Paperwork will be available on site for the participants to submit to earn the credit.

Besides the seminar, participants can also earn the credits by taking part in the digital-media lounge where experts in social and digital media can provide one-on-one help; the WISE Women’s Business Center Connections Café, offering trained business counselors and experts in startup topics; and the WISE roundtable lunch sessions, with topics such as WISE Latinas and WISE Veterans, according to the event brochure.

In advance of the symposium, the nonprofit SyracuseFirst is sponsoring an event entitled “Be WISE Buy LOCAL Spring Fling,” which includes sampling, entertainment, and networking on April 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Oncenter.

The Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management works with the WISE Women’s Business Center to organize the annual WISE Symposium.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com