Friday, November 1, 2024 from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm CST Hurst Conference Center

Harvesting Partnerships

Overview

Harvesting Partnerships is a half-day conference, on Friday, November 1 at Hurst Conference Center (1601 Campus Dr, Hurst, TX 76054), focused on top-tier educational programming and highlighting the skillsets of our WBEs. It features the WBCS Annual Meeting and Board of Directors installation, networking, WBE led roundtable discussions on a variety of business topics (such as marketing, human resources, etc.), WBE vendor tables, a keynote luncheon, and the Lillie Knox Investment Award pitch presentation.

Online registration deadline is 11:59pm CST on Friday, October 25


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

Agenda (CST)
8:30 – 9:00 … Check In and Networking
9:00 – 9:30 … WBCS Annual Meeting and Board of Directors Installation
9:30 – 9:45 … Networking
9:45 – 11:30 … WBE Led Roundtable Discussions
11:30 – 12:15 … Networking
12:15 - 2:00 ... Keynote Luncheon and Lillie Knox Investment Award Pitch Presentation

WBCS Annual Meeting
The WBCS President and staff will share organizational highlights from the year, announce the incoming Board of Directors, and provide insights about the year ahead.


WBE Led Roundtable Discussions
The morning is dedicated to Women’s Business Enterprise led roundtable discussions on a variety of business topics such as marketing, human resources, etc. The WBE host remains at her table while others rotate. Spots are open on a first-come, first-served basis.

There are three rounds of discussion. Each discussion is 30 minutes, with five minutes between rounds to transition.

9:45 – 10:15 … Discussions Round 1
10:20 – 10:50 … Discussions Round 2
10:55 – 11:25 … Discussions Round 3

Discussion Topics and Hosts (as of 10-22-24)

• 10 Attributes of High Performing Organizations - Tiffany Koettel, Growth Mindset Sales
• Commercial Construction Opportunities for Subcontractors - Molly Sandlin, CAET PMC / Construction
• Crafting Your Million-Dollar Narrative: Storytelling to Secure Funding and Fuel Business Growth - Chanel Christoff Davis, Davis Davis & Harmon LLC
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Turning Insights into Action - Nishant Naresh, Smart Folks
• Developing a Powerful Capabilities Statement for Your Business - Karen Smith Jackson, Karen M. Smith & Associates
• Developing Your Executive Presence - Carrie Martinez, Story Doctors Consulting
• Empowering Your Business's Brand with Canva - Tiffany Waggoner, Marfield
• Get Your Legal Docs in a Row! - Shereen El Domeiri, Suzy Fulton, and Wei Wei Jeang, Fulton Jeang
• How to Use Your HUB Certification - Patti Winstanley, Winstanley Consultants
• HR 101 for Small Businesses - Michelle Jolivet, DEI Recruiting and Consulting
• Leading with Empathy in Action - Alicia Kae Miller, Empathy Uprise
• Managing Rental Properties for Additional Revenue - Karen Holloway, Beacon Industries
• Navigating the Brand Evolution Process - Yareli Esteban, Strategar
• Planning a Digital Marketing Budget in 2025 - Suchi Gupta, Pure Design Solution
• Small Business, Big Risks: Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape - Deanna Nicholson, IT First Equipment Co
• Systems and Strategies for Market Expansion - Curtis Mohler, Crew Logistics
• The Keys to Scaling, Working Less and Paying Yourself More - Deb Purvin, Business Owner's MBA
• The Power of Culture in the Workplace - Wanda Granier, BridgeWork Partners
• The Truth About AI - Jen Schaumburg, Fuse Solutions
• Top Reasons to Use a Payroll Service - Kathleen Hunt, Personalized Payroll Services
• Unlocking Your Personal Brand for Business Success - Margie Aguilar, ISP Creative and Ruth Villalonga, Burson
• Using AI to Engage with Your Customers - Melissa Amoros and Michael Krasnicki, Krasamo

Click here to learn more about each topic and host.

Interested in being a WBE table host where you lead three rounds of discussions about a topic relevant to the business community? Reach out to Elizabeth Garner to discuss details and the $250 investment.

WBE Vendor Tables
Vendor tables are open solely to WBENC-Certified WBEs. A vendor table includes one six foot table, one admission to the event, and access to wifi. 

Interested in having a vendor table to showcase your products and services? Reach out to Elizabeth Garner to discuss details and the $175 investment.


Keynote Presentation
Brought to you by Vistra

Leadership: The Warrior Way

A retired Colonel from the USAF and business owner, Lisa Carrington Firmin will showcase leadership principles and demonstrate how they can be adapted and transferred to any environment. 

She'll share how she led successfully across the distinctly varied ecosystems of the military (to include combat), higher education, and as an entrepreneur - all the while navigating these institutions/systems as an underrepresented woman and as a Latina who experienced both sexual assault and sexual harassment as well as gender and ethnic discrimination. Utilizing her own lived experiences in an engaging, humorous, and inspirational manner, the audience will come away with the understanding that leadership principles are timeless; what changes is the context or the environment one is in. Lisa will reiterate how to adapt and apply these principles successfully and will conclude with consejos, or leadership advice, to assist others on their professional journeys.

Key Takeaways:
- An understanding of how timeless leadership principles are adapted across organizations
- How to be an effective leader while navigating intersectionality as a minority
- Examples of leading with an inclusionary mindset
- The importance of leading with a servant’s heart to lift and amplify others
- The strength of doing the work, becoming and staying competent in your field
- The imperative of truly knowing oneself to become a better leader
- Defining success for yourself; living your vision and the value of authenticity
- The everlasting benefits of being a lifelong learner
- Understanding the differences between mentorship and sponsorship
- Playing the leadership game, but playing it your way

Lillie Knox Investment Award Pitch Presentation and Donations
The Lillie Knox Investment Award is a cash prize of up to $20,000, exclusively available to WBCS Women's Business Enterprises, to help further business growth. Current members, in good standing, are welcome to apply annually for consideration. Winners will pitch their request and be announced at the event.

The Lillie Knox Investment Award is funded solely by member donations. 100% of your donation goes directly to women-owned businesses. Donate now to help women-owned businesses grow!


Accommodations
We have a discounted room block at the hotel next door to the venue - Hilton Garden Inn Hurst. Our rate is $119.00 plus tax for Thursday, October 31. The last day to book a room is October 10.

Keynote

Pricing

This event is open to everyone.

Last day to register online is Friday, October 25.

On-site registration available for an additional fee.

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 Friday, October 25, 2024.
General admission refunds are subject to a $10 cancellation fee per registrant.
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

$25 more on-site
 

Sponsor

$$

Each sponsorship level includes event admissions and branding. Contact Nadia DiStefano to secure a sponsorship. Email Nadia Now

Non-member

$110

$25 more on-site
 

Registrant List

Sponsors

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