The 2009 conference had the largest attendance ever with almost 1000 participants, some of whom came through Center-sponsored scholarships for professionals-in-transition. Owing to Center input, MHTA hosted Sylvia Ann Hewlett (left), economist and founding president of the Center for Work-Life Policy as a keynote speaker and in addition, a breakout session focused on retaining women in science and technology careers. In her Keynote, Hewlett spoke about how Minnesota can meet workforce goals through stopping the exodus of women in science and technology. At the break out session a panel of women from Medtronic, Adventium Labs, General Mills and 3M discussed policies and practices their companies employ to retain women.