Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 10:00am - 4:00pm CST Irving Convention Center - Irving, Texas

Connections to Contracts

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Signature Procurement Event

Connecting WBEs and Corporations

Overview
Connections to Contracts is a procurement-focused event connecting women-owned businesses with corporations and each other. It features a welcome reception, workshops, keynote luncheon, corporate roundtable procurement discussions, and a closing networking reception. All are welcome to attend.

The goal of this event is to provide access to business opportunities between our members that eventually lead to contracts, therefore helping women-owned businesses achieve parity.

The last day to register online is Tuesday, March 28. After that, on-site registration is available at a higher fee.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact WBCS Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Garner.

Agenda (central time)
Monday, April 3 (WBCS Headquarters - Irving, TX)
5:00 - 6:00 pm ... Welcome Reception

Tuesday, April 4 (Irving Convention Center, 4th floor - Irving, TX)
10:00 - 10:45 am ... Workshop - Elevator Pitches That Wow Buyers
10:45 - 11:00 am ... Networking Break
11:00 - 11:45 am ... Workshop - ESG Program Essentials
11:45 am - 12:00 pm ... Networking Break
12:00 - 1:15 pm ... Keynote Luncheon
1:15 - 1:30 pm ... Networking Break
1:30 - 3:05 pm ... Corporate Roundtable Discussions (4 rounds)
3:05 - 4:00 pm ... Networking Reception 

Welcome Reception
Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, there will be a complimentary, come-and go reception the evening before the event on Monday, April 3 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm CST at the WBCS headquarters. All are welcome to attend, especially WBEs and corporations from outside the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. Beverages and bites provided.

The WBCS headquarters is located at 5605 N. MacArthur Blvd Irving, TX 75038.


Accommodations
The evening before the event, April 3, a discounted room block is available at Texican Court - a hotel across the street from the Irving Convention Center. Our discounted price is $209 plus tax. To reserve a room, click here or call (833) 839-4226 and let them know you're with the Women's Business Council - Southwest. The reservation deadline is Monday, March 20 at 6:00 pm CST.
 

Workshop Description - Elevator Pitches That Wow Buyers
Led by Chala Dincoy, Founder at The Repositioning Expert

Did you know that 86% of B2B buyers don’t see any difference between vendors? Did you also know that it takes only 7 seconds to make a first impression? Fortunately, there is a formula to impressing buyers and leaving a lasting impression during those networking meetings and cocktail parties. I should know, I’ve spent 20 years buying services for giants like Pepsi, Pizza Hut and Frito-Lay. Now, I teach small businesses how to sell to them and anybody else.

In this hands-on dynamic session, you'll:

• Learn the top 3 mistakes businesses make in their pitches
• Find out how to pick a differentiator that will have the buyers' attention at "hello"
• Re-write your pitch and to try it out on the group in the session

Workshop Description - ESG Program Essentials
Led by Ivet Taneva, Senior Director of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at The Container Store

This session provides an introduction to the ESG landscape (global frameworks and standards, reporting and disclosure best practices, communication strategy, etc.), reviews how to establish a comprehensive ESG program (risk and materiality assessments, complying with global regulations, engaging leadership, etc.), and shares the hallmarks of a mature ESG program as well as trends.


Keynote Luncheon

• Keynote panel discussion about WBE Inclusion Throughout the Supply Chain featuring Brooke Griffin of Sigma Supply of North America, Marc Winston of Walmart, and Tony Tamburrano of AutoMate Label Solutions, LLC. They'll share insights on working together as a corporation and tier 1 WBE and how their partnership flows through the rest of their supply chain partners. And, they'll dive into the experience of a tier 1 and tier 2 WBE working together and navigating the supply chain.
• With the exception of sponsored tables, seating is open.
• During the luncheon, we will recognize all companies who submit their WBE Spend, honor two WBEs with the Women Working Together Award, and highlight the corporation with the highest percentage Spend increase with the Momentum Award.

Spend Reporting
If you spent any money with WBEs in 2022, we want to hear from you. No amount is too small! Recording these dollar amounts helps us to measure our success and provides valuable insights as to who is spending and promoting supplier diversity. To submit your Spend, email WBCS Marketing Specialist, Kayla Eckler, with your three data points:

• # of WBEs you did business with in 2022
• # of dollars you spent across all WBEs in 2022
• % of 2022 Total Spend that your 2022 WBE Spend represents

Or, visit our Member Center and click Submit Spend.

All Spend Reporters will be recognized at the event. All information is kept confidential. We solely publicize the aggregate of all Spend Reporters. Spend is now due Friday, March 17.  

 

Corporate Roundtable Discussions (attendees choose 4 tables to visit)
A corporate representative leads WBEs in a discussion on his or her company’s procurement process and shares insights on how potential suppliers can differentiate themselves.

How It Works
There are roundtables of 8. One seat is for the corporate member host; the other seats are for WBEs interested in learning about that company’s procurement process. WBE seats are open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Corporate members stay at their table. WBEs rotate and have the opportunity to visit a total of four tables.

Timeline
Each discussion is 20 minutes followed by a 5 minute transition.

• 1:30 - 1:50 ... Discussion round 1
• 1:50 - 1:55 ... Transition
• 1:55 - 2:15 ... Discussion round 2
• 2:15 - 2:20 ... Transition
• 2:20 - 2:40 ... Discussion round 3
• 2:40 - 2:45 ... Transition
• 2:45 - 3:05 ... Discussion round 4

List of Roundtable Hosts (as of 3-31-23)

Alcon

American Airlines

AT&T

Aventiv Technologies

BNSF Railway

Capital One

City of Fort Worth

Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages

Dallas Area Rapid Transit

Dallas College

Dallas County

Dallas ISD

Dell Technologies

DFW International Airport

Ericsson

Flatiron Construction

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Jack Henry

JPMorgan Chase

Lockheed Martin

North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA)

Oncor - IT

Oncor - Other Categories

Parkland Health

Raytheon Technologies

Sam's Club/ Walmart

Southwest Airlines Co.

Tarrant Regional Water District

Texas Instruments

The Container Store

Toyota Motor North America - IT

Toyota Motor North America - Professional Services

UPS

Vistra

Windstream Communications

Capability Statement Review
If you would like our Encore Council to review your capability statement and provide complimentary feedback by Tuesday, March 28, email yours to Elizabeth Garner by Tuesday, March 21.

 

Speakers

Agenda

Pricing

This event is open to everyone.

There are several admission options to meet your needs.

What If I Register and Can’t Attend?

Substitutions Welcome
If you have a conflict arise and can’t attend the event, another person may attend in your place at no charge. If you can’t find someone to attend in your place, you may cancel and receive a refund, less a processing fee.

Cancellation and Refund Policy
The last day to cancel and receive a refund is Tuesday, March 28, 2023. General admission refunds are subject to a $10 cancellation fee per registrant. Sponsorship refunds are subject to a $50 cancellation fee. Refunds will be issued in the same form payment was made. Please allow two weeks for processing. Registrants who cancel will not receive event materials.

Substitutions and cancellations may be submitted in two ways:
1. via the link and reference # that are provided in your confirmation email
2. via email request to WBCS Senior Director of Programs, Elizabeth Garner

Member

$100

 

Available through Tuesday, March 28

$25 more on-site
 

Register Now

Sponsor

$

 

Last day to sponsor is Friday, March 17

Each sponsorship level includes event admissions and branding. Contact Lindsay Pittard at lpittard@wbcsouthwest.org to secure a sponsorship. Review options in our 2023 sponsorship catalog

Non-member

$125

 

Available through Tuesday, March 28

$25 more on-site
 

Register Now

Registrant List

Sponsors

Companies that support us