|
In today's newsletter:
-
See you in person at our Power Links event May 13 in Tampa
-
Chrissy Teigen to speak at WBENC National Conference!
-
Hotel room block closes May 15 for WBENC National Conference
-
Get ready for the WBENC National Pitch Competition!
-
Tip of the week: Expand Your Market through Certification
-
WBENC Forum Series kicks off with session on AI for the CEO
-
Register to attend: WEConnect International Day 2025
-
Learn about tariffs with Central Florida International Trade Office
| |
How Can We Help
Your Business Grow?
Join us for a Half-Day event May 13
| | Power Links Will Feature Corporate Roundtables and Networking with Other Business Owners | | |
Join WBEC Florida for a half-day, in-person Regional Opportunities Conference for meet-and-greet roundtables, informative panel discussions, and plenty of networking with corporate and government representatives and other business owners.
Meet-and-Greets: Table hosts will conduct roundtables for three sessions. Each table will have the name of a host and the topic, such as corporate contracting, doing business with government, dynamics of family-owned companies, hiring and retention, and importing and exporting. Timekeepers will allow 90 seconds for each attendee to make an introduction. Attendees will switch tables every 25 minutes.
Panel Discussions: "Opportunities in Corporate and Government Contracting" and "Following Up for Maximum Results."
Time is running out,
so register today!
| | |
Host: WBEC Florida
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Where: Carrollwood Country Club, 13903 Clubhouse Drive, Tampa, FL 33618
Cost: $45 includes buffet brunch and free onsite parking
Roundtable Participants:
- CHEP
- Moffitt Cancer Center
- Florida SBDC at USF
- VyStar Credit Union
- and more!
Watch the Events section of our website and this space for updates to the list of corporate and government attendees.
| |
WBENC National Conference
Chrissy Teigen announced as a Featured Speaker
| | |
Meet corporate representatives, learn cooking and life tips, and help build a mini parade float
Did you know New York Times #1 bestselling author, TV personality, wife of John Legend and founder of food and lifestyle brand Cravings by Chrissy Teigen is a WBENC-Certified Women's Business Enterprise? Your sister WBE will be speaking about her own challenges in being a small business owner, all the while sharing laughs and insights while she demonstrates a tasty recipe with New Orleans James Beard finalist Chef Kaitlin Guerin from Lagniappe Bakehouse.
This exciting special aspect takes place Wednesday morning on the WBENC National Conference stage. It's one of the many benefits of attending the biggest WBENC event of the year, where you'll meet 5,000 other attendees and get exposure to corporate representatives who are looking for potential suppliers like you.
Also at the conference, each of WBENC's 14 regional partner organizations will build a mini Mardi Gras parade float. The theme of our WBEC Florida entry is "Metamorphosis" featuring orange monarch butterflies!
| | |
June 23-26, 2025
in New Orleans
| |
Hotel room block
closes May 15, so book now for best price!
| NEW: Learn about details of navigating the conference at a virtual orientation session May 7, June 3 or June 11. You will be invited to attend orientation after you register for the conference. | | We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans! | | Prepare to Pitch Your Company! | | |
Register for All 3 Sessions
to Perfect Your Technique
Are you ready to join three other WBEC Florida members who have won the national WBENC Pitch in recent years? There's only one way to do that: Get your pitch ready!
Hone your business pitch through the WBENCPitch Academy sessions sponsored by The ODP Corporation. With headquarters in Boca Raton, ODP is the parent company of Office Depot/Office Max.
The pitch sessions can do more for your business than help you win big prize money. They can also polish your skills for approaching corporations and government organizations as a potential supplier.
Sign up today!
Accelerate Your Impact
May 30 | Virtual | Noon - 2pm ET
Accelerate Your Story
July 25 | Virtual | Noon - 2pm ET
Build Your Impact Statement
Aug. 8 | Virtual | Noon - 2pm ET
| | |
SAVE THE DATE
The WBEC Florida Regional Pitch Competition will take place on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025.
Pitching via Zoom is fun and easy. Dhomonique Murphy of Sarasota (above) won one of the national competitions in 2024.
Watch this space for details!
| |
Expand Your Market through Certification
You're already certified as a WBE. Why not expand your market and become certified to do business with the State of Florida, too?
WBEC Florida Special Projects Director Diane Sears (at right) recently spoke on a panel during an expo at the University of Florida in Gainesville. She and other experts shared how to use certification as a marketing tool.
Here are some tips from that session:
- Some of the same records you gather for WBENC certification can be used with other certifying organizations, too, including the Florida Department of Management Services (DMS).
- You must be a permanent resident of Florida to be certified as a WBE with the state DMS Office of Supplier Development.
- Your business must be domiciled here (registered on sunbiz.org).
- You'll need to submit qualifying paperwork in 7 categories.
| | |
The WBENC Forum Insight Series Returns for 2025
'
Join the first session of the 2025 WBENC Forum Insight Series and tap into the power of collective wisdom from the nation's top women business leaders. This dynamic peer-to-peer series starts with a session titled:
AI-Powered CEO: Using AI for Advanced Business Functions
Thursday, May 29 | 3:00 - 4:30 pm ET | Virtual
AI can be a powerful tool for business owners, helping you plan strategically and make business decisions. Hear from a panel of WBE CEOs who are using AI for research, evaluation and education.
| | |
Grow Your Global Network
at International Day 2025
Host: WEConnect International
When: June 22, 2025
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana, in conjunction with the WBENC National Conference
New: Register soon so you can attend a virtual information session on Monday, May 5, or Monday, May 12. You will be sent an invitation after you register.
Business is global — and International Day 2025 is where women-owned businesses meet opportunity. Held the day before the WBENC Conference on Sunday, June 22, in New Orleans, this event features curated networking, expert insights, and targeted matchmaking with buyers from around the world. It’s also a chance to experience the WEConnect International community and see how global connections can fuel long-term business growth.
NOTE: This is a separate event and registration from the WBENC National Conference, but a powerful way to expand your international reach and connect with fellow women business owners.
| | |
Host: Central Florida International Trade Office (CFITO)
When: Wednesday, May 14 | 9 to 11 a.m.
Where: National Entrepreneur Center (NEC), 3201 E Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida
Cost: Free
Join the CFITO) for a workshop to answer your questions about tariffs. Understand the current situation and potential implications, and learn how to grow your business. Learn more about the CFITO here.
| | 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.
| | | | |
