In today's newsletter:



• 5 Reasons to Stay WBENC Certified — and Stay Connected
• Central Florida Elle Collective Event: All About Certification
• Book Your Hotel Today for the Salt Lake City WBENC Conference
• New Deadline for 50 Fastest Growing Women Owned/Led
• Attend Moffitt Cancer Center Business Symposium on March 20
• Register for WBENC WeThrive Leadership Program by March 3
• Atttend WBENC Lift Session on Corporate Contracts on Feb. 24

5 Reasons to Stay Certified

— and Stay Connected

Check Out the Tips in Our Resources Section

Whether you’ve just become WBENC Certified, you've recently renewed, or your renewal date is still ahead, here’s why continuing your certification matters:

1. You’re part of something bigger. Certification connects you to a national network of other women business owners who understand your journey. It’s not just a credential — it’s a community of founders, leaders, and innovators growing together.
2. You gain access to collective knowledge. Through events, programs, and peer connections, you gain insights from women who have navigated growth, contracts, scaling, hiring, expansion, and so many other experiences you are going through yourself.
3. You expand your circle of opportunity. Active certification keeps you eligible for corporate supplier development initiatives, government opportunities, matchmaking sessions, and business-building programs to help you grow.
4. You increase your visibility. Your business remains listed in the WBENC database — a trusted resource used by corporations and agencies seeking certified companies to include in sourcing and development efforts.
5. You protect the momentum you’ve built. Recertifying on time ensures continuity. It allows you to move forward confidently, maintain relationships, and stay ready for new introductions and opportunities.

Staying recertified means staying connected, visible, and positioned for growth — within a community that’s cheering you on. Let us know if we can help you!

We’re Here to Make It Easy

Central Florida Event: All About Certification

A WBEC Florida team member was one of the guest speakers Feb. 19 at Seminole State College in Lake Mary as part of the Elle Collective Women's Entrepreneur Program. The presentation was about why and how to become certified.

Pictured at right, from left to right:

• Diane Sears, WBEC Florida Special Projects Director and Central Florida representative.
• Ravel Bonilla, Program Director for Central and North Florida for the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council's Technical Assistance Program.
• Amy Kirkland, Associate Vice President of Resource and Economic Development for Seminole State College and founder of the Elle Collective program.
• Vasantha "Tonya" Raysor, Administrator of Business Development for Orange County Government's Business Development Division.

The audience (pictured above) had plenty of questions about how to grow their businesses through certification. Attendees were from all over Central Florida, representing various industries and all stages of business, from start-up to long-established.

Interested in the Elle Collective program?

Visit the Elle Collective website and Facebook page

Meet Us in Salt Lake City

at the WBENC National Conference!

WBENC is raising the bar to expand the impact of our network at the 2026 WBENC National Conference, which takes place June 15-18 in Salt Lake City, Utah!

Prepare for an energizing, forward-thinking experience designed to deepen connections, unlock new opportunities, and accelerate growth at every level. Here's what you can expect:

• Productive meet-and-greets with corporate partners and other WBEs, where connections can become collaborations.
• Future-focused education in sync with today’s business challenges.
• A bustling expo featuring hundreds of exhibitors, targeted industry experiences and a new prime supplier initiative.
• A Regional Partner Organization (RPO) Meet-Up for our group from Florida and the Caribbean.

Registration opens soon, but you can book your hotel room now!

NATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Deadline Extended for 2026

50-Fastest Nominations

Apply by Friday, Feb. 27

The Women Presidents Organization and J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking have launched their search for the 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies for 2026. Now in its 19th year, the listing features privately owned companies that have generated at least $500,000 in revenue for each of the past five years through 2025. You do not have to be a WPO member to qualify, and there is no cost to apply.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

WBEC Florida and WBENC Anti-Discrimination Policy

As a community of entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and economic development thought leaders, WBENC and the WBEC Florida Regional Partner Organization are committed to the elimination of discrimination in all areas of business and the provision of equal opportunity when accessing capital, contracts, and contacts. In compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, we do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status in any of our policies, procedures, or practices. This anti-discrimination policy covers admission and access to, and treatment, in all programs and activities.