Executive Women of the Palm Beaches (EWPB) begins its active 2016-2017 season of programs and events with its Season Opener on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016.

The networking and dinner event will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Seasons 52, 11611 Ellis Wilson Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33408. Tickets are $65. Registrations can be made at http://ewpb.org/event-2310252

Guest speaker will be Frank Hayden, director of Procurement for the City of West Palm Beach.

Hayden will share the City’s new efforts to increase engagement with small business owners, especially minorities and women. Hayden will explain the benefits of becoming certified and the new programs designed to encourage more small business owners to bid on contract opportunities.

The new programs include the Sheltered Market Program, bid equalization, the elimination of the Good Faith effort and new small business thresholds. Hayden has set a goal to increase the number of small businesses certified by the City by 5 percent annually and to increase the number of dollars spent with certified businesses by 5 percent annually, as well. To learn more, visit www.wpb.org/procurement or call 561-822-2103.

Prior to joining the City of West Palm Beach, Hayden was CEO of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties from 2012-2013, and prior to the SFWMD, he was Contracts Manager for the City of Detroit Water and Sewage Department from 1966 to 2001. A member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and a longtime community supporter, Hayden earned his degree in political science and government from University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Empowering women to succeed and lead, Executive Women of the Palm Beaches is a nonprofit professional association that inspires integrity, equality and leadership in the workplace and community. The organization provides year round programming and events to enhance the skills and knowledge base for women across Palm Beach County. The group is comprised of leaders from across a number of industries who together help to educate and inspire future women leaders. For more information on Executive Women of the Palm Beaches, or to learn how you can submit an application for membership, please visit www.ewpb.org or call (561) 868-7070.