Area businesses are encouraged to meet hundreds of professional women, business leaders, philanthropists and Southeast Missouri State University students, faculty and staff at the Eighth Annual Power of Women Luncheon and Expo April 10 at the Show Me Center.This is a great opportunity for businesses in the southeast Missouri area to connect with tomorrows leaders, grow their network and increase business opportunities, said Dr. Trudy Lee, interim vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation.The expo event runs from 10:30-11:45 a.m. followed by a luncheon. Registration is open until April 4 and is $250 for each exhibitor package. Setup begins at 9 a.m.The expo allows businesses and services to showcase their opportunities and products. The exhibitor package includes an eight-foot skirted table, two individual luncheon tickets and the company name listed on event signage. Additional individual lunch tickets are available for $35.[caption id="attachment_30573" align="alignright" width="200"] Col. Kimberlee (Joos) Shaneyfelt[/caption]For sponsorship opportunities or to be a vendor at the Power of Women Luncheon and Expo, call (573) 651-2259 or visithttp://www.semo.edu/powerofwomen.This years luncheon event will feature keynote speaker Col. Kimberlee (Joos) Shaneyfelt, a 1991 Southeast graduate who served 23 years as an intelligence officer with the U.S. Air Force from 1992 to 2015, and was selected to command on three separate occasions, and served in numerous overseas locations. Shaneyfelt was recently appointed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to a six-year term on the Texas Veterans Commission, which serves as the state-appointed advocate for Texas veterans as they attempt to secure their benefits rightfully earned in exchange for their service in the nations armed forces.The Power of Women Luncheon and Expo is a collaborative effort of the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, Department of Athletics, Southeast Student Government and SoutheastHEALTH.Proceeds will benefit scholarships for female students at Southeast.For more information about the Power of Women Luncheon and Expo, call (573) 651-2259 or visithttp://www.semo.edu/powerofwomen.