Planners for the third annual POWER Women's Conference and Networking Expo have lined up a number of speakers for the Oct. 3 event.

Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce, along with media sponsors the Daily News-Sun, Republic Media and Arizona Woman Magazine, will present nine educational breakout sessions categorized within three tracks: health and wellness, business development and balance.

Speakers for all sessions are on a mission of education and motivation that will give attendees a greater level of understanding, elevating their personal and professional development.

The keynote luncheon speaker is Martha Beck, author of New York Times bestsellers "Expecting Adam" and "Leaving the Saints," as well as "Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live" and her newest book, "Steering by Starlight." Beck also is one of the best-known life coaches in America.

The Welcome Breakfast speaker, Jewel Diamond Taylor, has empowered audiences on a professional and personal level to do more, be more, sell more, grow more and believe more in their possibilities for success.

The health and wellness track will feature Vicki Zemke, a Phoenix board member from the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Association, who will discuss women's "Breast Cancer Issues." Educating attendees on "The Medical Side of Stress" will be Dr. Jake Psenka, N.D., a specialist in naturopathic medicine, environmental medicine, chronic disease and integrative cancer care. Chef Rachel Albert-Matesz, a natural foods chef, cooking instructor, freelance food and health writer and cooking coach/speaker will help attendees with "Eating Healthy on the Go."

The business development track features Vickie Bouffard, a motivational sales speaker, sales coach and sales trainer and author of "High Performance Results! A No Kidding Approach to Increasing Sales," who will share "15 Points to Improve Your Business," with conference attendees. Also on this track, Ginny McMinn, industrial relations with human relations emphasis and senior professional in human resources, will cover "Generational Diversity in the Workplace." Focusing on "Competing and Overcoming Obstacles in the Business World," will be Deborah Gardner, educator, motivator and champion for identifying untapped potential.

Helping attendees to balance their work and home lives, the balance track will feature Taylor, conference speaker, author, radio/TV personality, women's ministry speaker and workplace trainer, talking about "Shift Happens." Arlene Rosenberg, author of "Say It, See It, Be It: How Visions & Affirmations will Change Your Life," founder of Leading Achievers Institute, certified coach and trainer for the Alliance of Technology and Women, will share her wisdom regarding "Setting a Vision and Creating Balance in Your Life." Showing attendees how to discover their true purpose in life, a "Hope/Vision/Passion" session will be presented by Bob Hobbs Jr., founder of Bob Hobbs Jr. and Associates and the Hope | Vision | Passion Inspirational Experience.

"Women of all types and backgrounds will be encouraged, inspired and educated at the third annual POWER Women's Conference," said Cheryl Street, chairwoman of the 2008 event.

The all-day program will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa Convention Center in Glendale. The POWER Networking Expo, immediately following the conference from 4 to 7 p.m., is open and free to conference attendees and the public. This event offers men and women an opportunity to meet valuable contacts and get information on Arizona business products and services important to women.

Admission to the all-day conference is $129 for nonmembers or $99 for local West Valley Chamber Alliance members. For information, visit www.powerazwomen.com.

Prospective sponsors may contact Kelli Fawcett with Republic Media at 602-444-1541. Exhibitors and attendees may contact Deidra Gossett with the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce office at 623-583-0692, or e-mail dgossett@surpriseregionalchamber.com.