Heidi Richards, Founder & CEO of the Women’s Ecommerce Association, International – WECAI.org (pronounced wee-kī) and the Board of Advisors announced today that they have chosen the beautiful island of São Miguel in the Azores as their destination for the 2005 World Congress for Women who do business on the web.

Attendees of The First World Congress will be touched by the sapphire blue and emerald green lakes, fertile prairies, volcanic cones and craters, colorful hydrangeas and azaleas, 15th century churches and majestic manor houses.

This legendary land, consisting of nine poetically-named islands, enjoys year-round mild temperatures (between 14°C and 22°C–57°F and 71°F) and is a peaceful shelter with a population of 250 000 inhabitants, for whom the words “stress” and “pollution” are not part of their vocabulary.

“There is so much diversity,” says Ms. Richards. “Our members and guests will have many of wonderful sites to keep them busy.  The very fact that it is midway between the Americas and Europe make it a desirable location.  It is beautiful, unique and I cannot think of a more location to kick-off our First World Congress.”

In addition to the beautiful scenery, the Congress will host a variety of workshops focusing on women and business, balance and work and even a few surprises!  Speakers will come from all over the world to deliver a world-class program and entertainment.

The new not-for-profit organization, whose mission is “to create an international community that provides and enhances a greater understanding of ecommerce among women, focuses on promoting, educating and advocating for “women who do business on the web, or want to know how to.”  WECAI is open to women (and men) around the globe.

The only requirement to participate is that these women have access to email and the Internet. In addition to the First World Congress, there are big plans in the works for WECAI.org.  They include creating the FIRST Women’s Who’s Who in Ecommerce Directory, starting chapters on all seven continents, designing an Ecommerce Academy for women to further their knowledge and experience with ecommerce.  The Congress is scheduled for September 19-21, 2005.