In today's newsletter:



• Learn About Today's Key Procurement Trends and Takeaways
• Open Call 2026: Walmart Might Be Looking for Your Products!
• Virtual Sessions Prepare You for WBENC 2026 Conference
• Winning Strategies: Is Change Taking a Toll on Your Company?
• WBEC Florida Pitch Competition Opens Soon: Get Ready!

Learn About Key Procurement Trends

That Could Affect Your Business

Next Thursday in the Virtual WBENC Forum Insight Series

Date: Thursday May 21

Time: 3 to 4 p.m. ET

Price: Complimentary

Location: Online

Learn how to better understand emerging sourcing opportunities. This session, part of the WBENC Forum Insight Series, will examine some of the economic, technological, and operational trends influencing procurement and impacts on small businesses across industries.

Drawing on current market data and cross-industry trends, speaker Liz Whitehead will look at how larger organizations are identifying and evaluating women-owned and small businesses today, along with what they expect from potential partners.

WBEC Florida Companies in Retail:

Want to See Your Products Sold at Walmart?

Apply for the Open Call 2026 ... and then head to Salt Lake City

Each year, Walmart’s Open Call brings the company's commitment to U.S. manufacturing to life, connecting entrepreneurs with the opportunity to scale their products and their impact.

Walmart has kicked off its Road to Open Call 2026, with the journey leading to final selections October 6-7. starts now. The program is making several stops in 2026, including Salt Lake City at the WBENC National Conference on June 18!

At each stop, Walmart will connect with founders who have big ideas and shelf-ready products that are made, grown, or assembled right here in the U.S.

If you’re ready to take your product to the next level and get in front of Walmart merchants, this is your moment!

Hurry! Applications close May 29

Prepare Your Conference Strategy

By Attending These Virtual Sessions

Spark Your Strategy: Next Session is Wednesday!

Learn how to show up with intention, communicate value with impact, and navigate conference spaces with the confidence of someone who knows how to spark opportunity. Whether you're new to WBENC or looking to sharpen your approach, this series equips you with the tools to make every interaction count. 

Pre-Conference Session: Wednesday, May 20 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Virtual | Register here

Post-Conference Session: Monday, July 1 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Virtual | Register here

Pre-Conference Orientation:

Choose from 3 Sessions

\WBENC is offering 3 virtual orientations to ensure you know about everything happening at the conference in Salt Lake City. Register for one of these upcoming events:

Orientation 1: Weds., May 27 | 1 p.m. | Register

Orientation 2: Tues., June 2 | 3 p.m.| Register

Orientation 3: Weds., June 10 - 1 p.m. | Register

Is Change Taking a Toll on Your Company? Learn More at this Winning Strategies Session

Join Our June Event with WBEC FL WBE Lisa Rigoli

Readiness Before Reaction:

Leading Through Change Without Breaking Trust

Guest: Lisa Rigoli, Element of Change

Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 **NEW DATE**

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Price: Free for members and nonmembers

Location: Zoom

This session explores why resilience breaks down when organizations react faster than people can process, and how leaders can create the clarity, shared expectations, and human space needed to navigate change without eroding trust.

Participants will walk away with a simple, repeatable framework for leading change in a way that stabilizes people and sustains performance.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Lisa Rigoli is the CEO of Element of Change. She previously spent 15+ years leading workforce transformations inside large organizations. When her own market of 5,000 employees was dissolved, she was asked to lead the transition, personally placing 42 of 50 displaced leaders using a systematic approach most organizations never see. That experience became the foundation of Element of Change.

Register for this webinar today! And bring your HR and operations leaders, too!

Connect. Collaborate. Shift.

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

Get Ready to Pitch!

Regional Competition Coming Soon

Top 4 Will Move On

to National Competition

WBENCPitch is a signature WBENC program featuring a series of educational sessions and pitch competitions to help you hone your business pitch, gain exposure, and win prizes.

The 2026 WBENCPitch IMPACT program:

• Focuses on storytelling and impact.
• Features 2 separate categories: Products and Services, with a national winner in each category.
• Awards a first prize of $20,000 in each category.
• Awards a second prize of a complimentary 2027 WBENC National Conference registration in each category.

Stay tuned for more details to come! 

We’re Here to Make Recertification Easy

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.