"Women-owned businesses are the economic engine quietly driving our economy," says Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) president Marsha Firestone, Ph.D. "Most new jobs have come from small business and two out of three new businesses are started by women. If we can make these businesses more profitable and help them to succeed, we all will benefit during these challenging economic times," says Firestone.

"Avis is pleased to partner with such a worthy organization as the Women Presidents' Organization," says Janis Jarosz, vice president of retail marketing for Cendant Car Rental Group, parent company of Avis. "Not only are the members inspiring, they provide us with tremendous insight into how this key market segment makes its purchasing decisions." 

The Women Presidents' Organization is a nonprofit membership organization for a diverse group of women presidents who have guided their businesses to at least $2 million in gross annual sales (or $1 million for a service-based business). The Organization serves as a peer advisory group for its members.

The Avis Corporate Awards program is designed to service the needs of small businesses. Membership is free and companies enjoy benefits such as low corporate rates, free rental day certificates with every 15 paid rentals and complimentary Avis preferred service. For more information on Avis Corporate Awards or to become a member, visit www.avis.com/smallbiz/wpo.

About Avis

Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate the world's second largest general-use car rental brand, providing business and leisure customers with a wide range of services at nearly 1,900 locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Latin American / Caribbean region. Avis is one of the world's top brands for customer loyalty, ranking as the number one car rental company in the 2004 Brand Keys® Customer Loyalty Index. The company is part of Cendant Car Rental Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD), a diversified global provider of business and consumer services primarily within the real estate and travel sectors. For more information visit www.avis.com or www.cendant.com/media.

About Women Presidents' Organization 

The Women Presidents' Organization is a nonprofit membership organization whose members are a select group of entrepreneurial women presidents who have guided their business to generate at least $2 million in gross annual sales (or $1 million for a service-based business). Each chapter serves as a peer advisory group. The synergy of the peer advisory group empowers members to achieve increase business and financial success as well as individual growth. As a result, each member exceeds performance expectations for her business and develops a more balanced personal life.

Members are presidents of companies in industries that range from architecture & construction to technology & graphic design. There are currently 50 chapters in the United States and in Canada. Some of the topics covered in Chapter meetings include: finances, organizational development, hiring and firing issues and other related matters. 
Special thank you to our National sponsors who demonstrate their commitment to women's business: American Airlines, Budget Rent A Car System, Inc., Chubb Specialty Insurance, IBM, ING Financial Services, Merrill Lynch, Office Depot, OPEN: The Small Business Network SM from American Express, Prudential, The Edward Lowe Foundation, Wachovia, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club.