The Laredo Commission for Women on Jan. 13 discussed logistics and a draft program for a planned one-day women's empowerment conference, deciding registration will open at 8 a.m. and the event will run roughly 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with meal planning tied to a 100-person count.

The conference committee chair, Esther (committee chair, Laredo Commission for Women), said, "we're gonna start the conference registration at 8 o'clock in the morning," and reviewed a draft agenda that places health and entrepreneurship topics in the morning and financial management, entrepreneurship "pursuing your dreams" and an author session in the afternoon.

Why it matters: commissioners said the event aims to give local women practical information on health, nutrition, small-business startup and personal finance while showcasing city programs. Commissioners and staff discussed how registration counts affect food orders, exhibit space and capacity limits and agreed to preregistration via a QR code and an online link.

Details and schedule: Commissioners described a draft program with registration and volunteer check-in from 8 to about 8:45 a.m.; presentations across the day with limited question-and-answer periods; exhibit tables (commissioners estimated four to five exhibitors, including City of Laredo health department and local small-business support); door prizes and gift bags at registration; and a closing distribution of larger door prizes. The draft flyer will remain watermarked as a draft until final edits are made.

Speakers and topics named in the meeting included an internal medicine presentation by Dr. Mary Cortez on women's cardiovascular disease and diabetes, a nutritionist to speak at lunch, a small-business development presentation (named as a local small-business development center speaker), Sanchez Financial Services for financial-management content, and a guest author for an entrepreneurship "pursuing your dreams" session. Gabriela Morales, identified in the meeting as an upcoming presenter, said, "My presentation is gonna be on financial literacy."

Registration and materials: Frida (registration lead) demonstrated the QR-code preregistration and commissioners agreed to circulate a PDF flyer and the registration link once the committee finalizes topics. Commissioners asked that the form require basic information only; the draft had an item asking for age (18+), which the committee retained for research purposes. The group removed a reference to continuing-education units (CEUs) and decided not to offer certificates of participation because the commission lacks CEU certification.

Logistics, capacity and funding: Commissioners said the meal count and room capacity are drivers for preregistration: the draft assumes about 100 meal seats; the committee reported about 30 confirmed registrations at the meeting. Print poster production and placement in city recreation centers would be coordinated through Noraida Negron and city printing services; commissioners noted municipal printing can have a charge. Several commissioners suggested asking assistant city managers or council members for modest funding help for speaker refreshments or swag; no formal request or commitment was recorded.

Branding and volunteer roles: The commission agreed to identify members at the conference with a consistent look: a black blazer and a named badge bearing the commission's logo, with volunteers handling registration and greeting duties. Diana Rodriguez will assist at the registration table; Mary Lou Ibana and Rita Figueroa were assigned volunteer coordination for early registration check-in.

Outstanding items and next steps: The draft flyer will be revised and redistributed to commissioners within the week for final edits. The committee asked each member to compile invitation lists for outreach and to bring door-prize donations packaged with tissue paper to the Feb. 10 meeting. Final decisions on exhibitor assignments, exact speaker times and any outside funding were deferred pending a finalized flyer and a follow-up with city staff.

Votes and administrative items: On a motion by Diana Rodriguez, the commission approved the Dec. 9 meeting minutes as corrected (the next meeting date amended to Jan. 13). A member seconded the motion and members voted "Aye"; the minutes were approved by voice vote.

Meeting context: The discussion on the conference occupied the bulk of the Jan. 13 agenda. Commissioners exchanged detailed operational plans and repeatedly emphasized preregistration to support meal counts and exhibit scheduling. Several items remain contingent on city staff coordination (poster printing, possible small funding support) and final flyer approval.

Ending: The commission set its next regular meeting for Feb. 10, at which commissioners expect to finalize door-prize donations, receive a revised flyer, confirm volunteer assignments and continue outreach planning for the conference.