In today's newsletter:

• Making the Best Use of Your Networking Connections
• Save the Date for Our May Winning Strategies with a WBE
• 5 Tips for Doing Business with Moffitt Cancer Center
• Register for the WBENC Conference in Salt Lake City!
• WBEC FL Discount for WPO Conference in Hollywood, FL
• WBENC Session on Designing a Funding Readiness Strategy
• Regional Opportunities with Connections for Your Business

Are You Making the Best Use

of Your Networking Connections?

Join Our April Winning Strategies Session

Jacqueline Whitmore Will Share

5 Ways to Turn Contacts into Contracts

Title: Mastering Your Mingle-Ability

Guest: Jacqueline Whitmore, The Protocol School of Palm Beach

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Time: ***New time!*** 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Price: Free for members and nonmembers

Location: Zoom

In the second in our Winning Strategies with a WBE series, Jacqueline Whitmore will share her secrets for building meaningful connections, both in-person and virtually. WBEC Florida President and CEO Nancy Allen will interview her, and then Jacqueline's interactive presentation will include live networking, excerpts from her e-book, and a question-and-answer session.

Jacqueline is an internationally recognized etiquette expert, keynote speaker, and founder of The Protocol School of Palm Beach. Since 1998, she has helped professionals build confidence, strengthen relationships, and master the art of networking in today’s competitive business environment. 

Register today! And bring your sales and marketing leaders, too!

Connect. Collaborate. Shift.

Position your business for greater visibility, opportunity, and impact.

Save the Date for Our May Winning Strategies Session

Insights from Our Coffee with a Corporate Series

4 Tips for Doing Business

with Moffitt Cancer Center

Nearly 50 attendees joined WBEC Florida’s latest virtual Coffee with a Corporate session featuring Desiree Hanson, Associate Director of Supplier Engagement & Development for Moffitt Cancer Center.

The conversation on April 8 offered valuable, real-world guidance on how businesses can successfully engage with a large, mission-driven organization like Moffitt.

Here are four key tips from Desiree for positioning your business for success:

• Tailor your capabilities statement. Think of it as a resume and keep it updated, customizing it for each potential corporate or government client you approach. Highlight relevant experience, such as other work you've done in healthcare.
• Register with the corporation or government agency — and then do the legwork. Vendor registration is just the first step. Ongoing outreach, relationship-building, and consistent follow-up are essential to getting noticed.
• Bring solutions, not just services. Moffitt is looking for partners who solve problems — especially those that support patient outcomes, innovation, and operational efficiency.
• Explore second-tier opportunities. Subcontracting with prime vendors is a powerful way to gain experience, build relationships, and grow into larger contracts over time.

Desiree emphasized that success comes from being proactive, strategic, and aligned with Moffitt’s mission. As the organization continues to grow, opportunities will follow for businesses ready to meet the moment.

Coffee with a Corporate

Meet. Sip. Connect. Repeat.

Meet Us in Salt Lake City June 15-18

Early Bird Registration Ends May 1

Whether you've attended for years or this is your first time venturing to the WBENC National Conference, you're in for a treat with the 2026 event. WBENC is planning new experiences for attendees to offer even more return on your investment.

Check out the schedule and the "what's new" feature!

Additionally, WBENC has partnered with Delta Airlines this year for special pricing to get members to the event in Salt Lake City. Book your flight today!

You can choose from one of 6 host hotels ... but hurry if you haven't booked your room yet, because 4 other hotel room blocks have already sold out!

After the conference, WBENC has some "stay and play" excursions available for seeing the beauty of the Utah countryside. You can also stay for International Day hosted by WBENC's sister organization WEConnect International.

See you in Salt Lake City!

Apply to Display at the WBENC Conference

If you’re WBENC Certified, there are several ways you can showcase your products and services at the conference:

• Exhibit Hall. Purchase a space at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
• Demo Station. Sign up to be considered for a one-hour demo in the Exhibit Hall.
• Pop Up Shops. Sign up for a chance to exhibit during an evening reception.

WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum

Heads to South Florida May 7-9

Through our partnership with WPO, WBEC Florida is able to offer a discount to our members for the Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum. Use the code WBDCFL2026 for $150 off the WPO nonmember rate.

There's still time to register for the Women Presidents Organization annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum. The organization is for owners of businesses that generate $2 million or more in revenue ($1 million for a service business), and you don't have to be a member to attend.

Event: WPO annual conference

Dates: May 7-9, 2026

Location: The Diplomat Beach Resort, 3555 South Ocean Drive, Hollywood, Florida 33019

Cost: See WPO site for pricing

Book your hotel room today for the WPO room block rate!

The discount for rooms ends April 10

Are You Prepared with a Persuasive Capital Story? 

Learn what it takes to design a funding readiness strategy

Hosts: WBENC Lift CEO Catalyst Program and Entrepreneur Financial Readiness

Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Time: 2 to 3:15 p.m. ET

Location: Virtual

Price: Free to WBENC members

REGIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Event: Strategic Business Exchange

Host: Florida Business Council (previously the Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council)

Date: Thursday, April 23

Time: Noon to 3 p.m.

Location: Travel + Leisure Co., 501 West Church Street, Orlando, FL 32805



Price: $70

REGIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Event: LATAM Trade Show 2026

This international expo features a chance to meet companies, government buyers, and investors from Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Mexico.

Host: Central Florida International Trade Organization (CFITO)

Dates: May 6-8, 2026

Locations: Tampa and Orlando



Price: Free; registration required

REGIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Event: Working with Valencia College

This session is for current and prospective vendors of the college, located in Orange County (Orlando).

Date: Friday, April 17, 2026

Times: 1 p.m. (the 9 a.m. session is sold out)

Locations: West Campus, 1800 S. Kirkman Road, Orlando, FL



Price: Free

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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.