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In today's newsletter:

• Virtual Prep Sessions and FAQs for WBENC 2026 Conference
• New Date: Winning Strategies on Leading Through Change
• This Wednesday: Kickoff for Women in Retail Series
• Save the Date for WBEC Florida Pitch Competition

Prepare Your Conference Strategy

By Attending These Virtual Sessions

Spark Your Strategy: First Session Is This Thursday!

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. 

This week's session:

• Building credibility and soft selling to establish new and lasting connections
• Pack 3 punches with 3 distinct pitches tailored to different settings
• Supplier requirements and conference strategy for approaching corporates

Pre-Conference Session 1: Thursday, May 14 | Noon - 1 p.m. | Virtual | Register here

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

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

Pre-Conference Orientation: Choose from 3 Sessions

\WBENC is offering 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: Wednesday, May 27 | 1 p.m. |Virtual | Register here

Orientation 2: Tuesday, June 2 | 3 p.m. | Virtual | Register here

Orientation 3: Wednesday, June 10 - 1 p.m. | Virtual | Register here

Want to Learn More? Visit the WBENC FAQs Page

Learn everything from what to where to how the meet-and-greet roundtables work to which industries will be represented in the expo to how to purchase a companion pass ... and more! Check out the conference frequently asked questions for details.

Watch for Details About the WBEC FL Delegation

Also, watch our WBEC Florida conference page for more information about meeting up with your sister WBEs from the Florida/Caribbean region.

New Date: How Do You Lead

Through Constant Change?

Join Our June Winning Strategies Session

with WBEC FL WBE Lisa Rigoli

Readiness Before Reaction:

Leading Through Change Without Breaking Trust

Guest: Lisa Rigoli, Element of Change

Date: Tuesday, June 309, 2026 **NEW DATE**

Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Price: Free for members and nonmembers

Location: Zoom

In today’s environment, leaders are expected to move fast, through AI adoption, restructures, and constant change, often without time to pause.

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, the leadership transition firm organizations turn to when the stakes are highest — restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, right-sizing, AI adoption, and C-suite succession.

Before founding EOC, Lisa 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.

Register Today! Kickoff is this Wednesday

NATIONAL OPPORTUNITY

Event: 2026 WBENC Women Owned in Retail Kickoff

This session will introduce this year’s priorities, share key opportunities in retail, and provide an overview of how participants can engage and succeed. Whether you’re new or returning, this session will set the foundation for a strong and impactful year!

Date: Wednesday, May 13

Time: 2 to 3 p.m. ET

Location: Online

Price: Free for members

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.