NETHERAVON entrepreneur Selaine Messem will be supporting the Business Women on the Move conference, which takes place in Hampshire later this month.

Ms Messem is the managing director of LessBounce, an online and mail order distribution company that specialises in sports bras.

She is a member of everywoman.co.uk, the independent website for women in business, which is organising the one-day conference at Potters International Hotel, Aldershot, on June 26.

The event will be attended by speakers, panellists, sponsors and female business owners from Hampshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Surrey.

It will include speeches, panel discussions, breakout sessions, seminars and workshops, focusing on key business issues such as customer relationship management, technology and cost-effective marketing.

There will also be the chance to get advice from sponsors NatWest, IBM and Business Link on funding, sustainability and growth in today's economic climate.

More than 250 women business owners are expected to attend the conference, which will close with a cocktail reception.

The event has been recognised by government and industry, and speakers will include Hampshire Business Woman of the Year Avril Owton and Wessex Business Woman of the Year Sally Lynsky.

Research has shown that 22 per cent of all new business start-ups in the region are by women, the highest in the country.

Karen Gill, director of everywoman, said: "To maximise their entrepreneurial potential women must take advantage of networking opportunities, continue to develop their business skills and learn to become less risk-averse.

"We will bring all these opportunities under one roof at Business Women On The Move."

Daphne Milner, chief executive officer of Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, said: "Our job at Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire is to help businesses achieve their ambitions.

"We are keen to ensure our service really meets the needs of women entrepreneurs.

"We see the event as an opportunity to hear both from women in business and those starting their businesses about issues that are really important to them and the support they need from Business Link."

For more information about how to register contact everywoman on 0870 746 1800 or log onto www.everywoman.co.uk/conference.