2024 Parade of Stars Awards Gala
The Parade of Stars Awards Gala is an illuminating semi-formal evening event honoring Women’s Business Enterprises and Sustaining (Corporate) Members who go above and beyond to ensure the successes of women-owned businesses.
Corporation of the Year Award
The Corporation of the Year Award recognizes a Corporate Member that consistently demonstrates outstanding commitment to WBCS and the utilization of WBEs through purchasing practices and results. This Corporate Member is a valued leader in supplier diversity and WBE inclusion throughout the supply chain. This award may be nominated by a WBE Member only.
WBE of the Year Award
The WBE of the Year Award recognizes three woman-owned businesses that exemplify outstanding business acumen, industry leadership and community service. These WBEs demonstrate a commitment to doing business with fellow WBEs. Three awards will be given in this category; one with annual sales under $5 million, one with annual sales $5 million to $20 million and one with annual sales over $20 million. This award may be nominated by a Corporate Member only.
WBE Rising Star
The WBE Rising Star Award is given to a newly certified WBE who has consistently demonstrated strong support for and involvement with WBCS as a new member.
WBE Advocate of the Year Award
The WBE Advocate of the Year Award recognizes a WBE owner or employee who demonstrates extraordinary efforts in inspiring, engaging and empowering WBCS-Certified WBEs. This individual will be recognized and honored for her mentoring, coaching and supporting women-owned businesses. This award may be nominated by a WBE or Corporate Member.
Corporate Advocate of the Year Award
The Corporate Advocate of the Year Award recognizes an individual employed by a Corporate Member who uses innovative approaches for utilizing WBEs within their company, as well as the larger supplier diversity community. This individual contributes significantly to expanding opportunities for WBEs and has demonstrated consistent support for WBCS. This award may be nominated by a WBE or Corporate Member.
Buyer of the Year Award
The Buyer of the Year Award recognizes a buyer employed by a Corporate Member who ensures WBEs are included in bid opportunities in their company’s procurement process and uses innovative approaches to increase opportunities for WBEs. This award may be nominated by a WBE or Corporate Member.
Spend Awards
The WBCS Spend program tracks business between members of the Council (e.g., Sustaining (Corporate) Members to WBE or WBE to WBE) and honors those members who support the program by reporting their business together.
Women Working Together
Recognizes an outstanding deal between WBE members. This award highlights the importance of WBE to WBE business opportunities and showcases the story behind the deal.
Lillie Knox Investment Awards
Lillie Knox was an important part of the history and current success of the Women’s Business Council – Southwest (WBCS) and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). Lillie passed away after a long battle with cancer on November 10, 2003. In 2005, the Lillie Knox Investing Award was created by WBCS to honor Lillie for her support of Women Business Enterprises through her commitment, spirit, passion and determination.
The recipient(s) are certified-WBE member(s) of WBCS who has identified a need in her business that, if met, will support the growth and development of her business. The cash award may fully (or partially) fund this need and may include, but is not limited to, equipment purchase, technical development or upgrade, consulting services, strategic planning, website development, planning or education.
