In today's newsletter:

• See you in person at our Power Links half-day conference
• Early bird pricing ends May 1 for the WBENC National Conference
• Get ready for the WBENC National Pitch Competition!
• WBENC Forum Series kicks off with session on AI for the CEO.
• Register to attend: WEConnect International Day 2025
• Register to attend: WPO Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum

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."

Space is limited,

so register early!

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
• SBDC Tampa Bay
• 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.

June 23-26, 2025

in New Orleans

For early bird pricing, register by May 1 

to save on your 

attendee ticket

We look forward to seeing you in New Orleans!

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 Story

May 2 | Virtual | Noon - 2pm ET

July 25 | Virtual | Noon - 2pm ET

Accelerate Your Impact

May 30 | 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. See photo at top for last year's regional contestants.

Watch this space for details!

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 May 5 or 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.

Entrepreneurial Excellence Forum 2025

Host: Women Presidents Organization

When: May 7-9, 2025

Where: San Antonio, Texas

The WPO annual conference allows you to connect with entrepreneurial equals, industry trailblazers and leading corporations in an environment designed for meaningful collaboration and transformative learning. Over three dynamic days, you’ll gain exclusive access to visionary keynote speakers, curated networking experiences, and actionable insights to fuel your next stage of success.

Immerse yourself in personalized on-site shopping experiences, daily networking opportunities, and intimate receptions that celebrate the contributions and impact of WPO members around the world.

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.