Charlotte Based Queen Associates Honored at Annual Salute in Washington DC,  Kenneth D. Lewis to Speak

Washington, D.C. and Charlotte, NC – March 2004 - Charlotte headquartered Queen Associates inc (QA(i)3) and its President and CEO, Frances Queen, will be honored as one of fourteen (14) national women-owned business stars in a Washington DC ceremony on March 24,2003.  The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) will honor their very own “Business Stars,” during its seventh annual Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises: The Enterprising Economy.  Frances Queen and Queen Associates have been selected to represent the Women’s Business Enterprise Council Southeast.  Bank of America is a Platinum Benefactor, sponsoring the evening’s Dinner and Program.  Kenneth D. Lewis, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Bank of America Corporation, is serving as this year’s Salute Chair and will be speaking at the event.

The Salute is WBENC’s annual black-tie fundraiser held this year on Wednesday, March 24th in Washington, D.C. at the prestigious National Building Museum. More than 1,000 guests are expected to attend the black-tie Salute and anniversary celebration. “It is quite an honor for the Charlotte area and for Queen Associates to have been selected the Southeast Region’s representative for certified women business owners” says Frances Queen, President of QA(i)3.

WBENC is the nation’s largest and most-widely recognized third-party certifier of woman-owned
businesses and has more than tripled in size since its inception in March 1997.  Each year WBENC and its women’s business organizational partners (WBOPs) select 14 Women-Owned Business Stars, one representing each WBOP, for recognition at the annual Salute traditionally held during Women’s History Month. The “Business Stars” are selected based on their leadership in their local business community, their unique ability to inspire other women business owners and their consistency in directing a successful WBENC-certified business.

“Women business owners make outstanding contributions to the US economy each and every day,” said Susan Bari, President of WBENC. “Our Salute recognizes a handful of the WBEs who are instrumental to America’s economic recovery, job creation and future. WBENC is proud to spotlight these WBEs who demonstrate their commitment to the US economy by operating successful businesses while serving as leaders in their communities.”

In celebration of its seventh annual Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises, WBENC will feature the 14 Women-Owned Business Stars on its website, www.wbenc.org and in WBENC news releases throughout 2004. The dinner and awards program will pay tribute to the women in a video presentation and feature them in the Salute commemorative program book.

About Queen Associates, Inc. - QA(i)3

Queen Associates inc – QA(i)3 – is a certified 100% Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and premier provider of integrated business and technology services.  QA(i)3 specializes in building long-term strategic business partnerships.  They focus on teaming with their clients to achieve optimal solutions that consistently deliver competitive advantage. 

QA(i)3's mission is to bring intelligence, innovation, and ideas to the marketplace through an integrated menu of business and technology expertise. The company's management savvy and innovation continues to be recognized including being named 2003 Rising Star by the Charlotte National Association of Women Business Owners, and a 2003 finalist of the Charlotte Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year.  100% woman-owned, QA(i)3 is certified as a woman business enterprise on a local, state and national level.

For more information about the Salute, visit the web site at www.wbenc.org/salute 2004. For more information about WBENC certification, call (202) 872-5515 or visit the web site at www.wbenc.org.  For more information about Queen Associates, call 704-331-0003 or visit the web site at www.QAi3.com.
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For more information about Queen Associates, Inc., please reference:  www.qai3.com .