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.
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
Complimentary self-parking at the WBCS headquarters; $12 self-parking at Irving Convention Center
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.
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
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 panel discussion about WBE Inclusion Throughout the Supply Chain featuring Marc Winston of Walmart and Brooke Griffin of Sigma Supply of North America. 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.
With the exception of sponsored tables, luncheon 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.
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 3-28-23)
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
Jack Henry
JCPenney
JPMorgan Chase
Lockheed Martin
North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA)
Oncor - IT
Oncor - Other Categories
Parkland Health
Raytheon Technologies
Sam's Club
Southwest Airlines
Tarrant Regional Water District
Texas Instruments
The Container Store
Toyota Financial Services
Toyota Motor North America - IT
Toyota Motor North America - Professional Services
UPS
Vistra
Windstream Communications
