Connections to Contracts is a procurement-focused event connecting women-owned businesses with corporations and each other. The event features networking, a workshop, corporate roundtable procurement discussions, and an awards reception and takes place on Wednesday, April 23 from 1:00 - 6:30pm at Irving Convention Center in Irving, TX. Award winners will be announced at the event. The last day to submit a nomination is Sunday, March 9.
Submit a nomination!
What's Changing:
Since this is a special year for us, a few things are changing about our standard annual awards.
- We're presenting the awards at Connections to Contracts on Wednesday, April 23.
- In order to be listed as a nominee, you must complete a nomination form.
- WBCS members can self-nominate in any category. (Nominations from non-members are not accepted.)
- There are five award categories.
- For WBEs: WBE Rising Star | WBE Advocate of the Year | WBE of the Year
- For Corporations: Corporate Advocate of the Year | Corporation of the Year
Award Categories and Nomination Form Prompts:
There are five award categories.
The WBE Rising Star Award recognizes a newly-certified WBE who has demonstrated the highest degree of support for and involvement with WBCS and plans to continue engagement into the future. Eligible WBEs must have received initial certification in 2023 or 2024.
Prompts
- Describe how you and your business have benefitted from your certification and membership in WBCS.
- Since becoming certified, how many WBCS events have you attended, how many business contacts have you made through the WBCS network, and what percentage increase in business opportunities have you experienced?
- Describe the ways you and your business have contributed to the WBCS network. Think sponsorship, volunteering, referrals for other WBEs, etc.
- What plans do you have for leveraging your WBCS membership in the future?
The WBE Advocate of the Year Award recognizes a WBE owner or employee who demonstrates extraordinary efforts in inspiring, engaging, and empowering women-owned businesses. This individual will be recognized and honored for her mentoring, coaching, and supporting of women-owned businesses.
Prompts
- Describe how you have assisted other WBEs in overcoming barriers and growing their businesses.
- Within the past year, how many WBEs have you assisted in overcoming barriers?
- Describe specific ways in which you mentor other women entrepreneurs in WBCS, your industry, or the community at large.
- Within the past year, how many fellow women entrepreneurs have you mentored?
- Describe your efforts, and success, in doing business with other WBEs.
- Within the past year, how many WBEs have you done business with?
- What percentage of your total spend does your spend with WBEs represent?
The Corporate Advocate of the Year Award recognizes an individual employed by a Corporate Member who encourages the utilization of 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.
Prompts
- What do you do specifically to encourage women-owned businesses to get WBENC certified and join WBCS?
- Within the past year, how many women-owned companies have you connected to certification?
- What do you do specifically to encourage your corporation to do business with WBEs?
- As a result of your efforts, how many WBEs has your company done business with within the last year?
- How do you work with WBCS and fellow corporations to strengthen your company’s supplier diversity program?
- Describe specific ways in which you mentor women entrepreneurs in WBCS, your industry, or the community at large.
- Within the past year, how many women entrepreneurs have you mentored?
The WBE of the Year Award recognizes three women-owned businesses that exemplify outstanding business acumen, industry leadership, and 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.
Prompts
- In which of the three revenue categories does your company fall?
- Describe how you and your business have benefitted from your certification and membership in WBCS.
- Within the past year, how many WBCS events have you attended, how many WBCS events have you sponsored, how many business contacts have you made through the WBCS network, and what percentage of your business opportunities came as a result of being part of the WBCS network?
- How many WBEs do you do business with?
- What percentage of your total spend does your spend with WBEs represent?
- How does your company differentiate itself?
- Describe a recent situation that demonstrates your company’s ability to overcome obstacles.
- Describe your most significant recent business success/ accomplishment.
- Describe your vision for your company’s future.
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.
Prompts
- Describe the ways that your company uses WBCS membership to advance your supplier diversity initiatives.
- Within the past year, how many WBCS events have you attended, how many WBCS events have you sponsored, how many business contacts have you made through the WBCS network, and what percentage of your suppliers came as a result of being part of the WBCS network?
- Does your company require WBENC certification?
- Which levels (buyers, senior purchasing management, cross functional management, CEO/President, none) have WBE utilization linked to performance reviews and/or compensation?
- Does your company have a 2nd Tier supplier diversity program? If yes, please describe the program including reporting requirements and monitoring.
- In 2024, how many WBEs did your company do business with and what percentage of your total spend did your spend with WBEs represent?
- In 2023, how many WBEs did your company do business with and what percentage of your total spend did your spend with WBEs represent?
- In 2022, how many WBEs did your company do business with and what percentage of your total spend did your spend with WBEs represent?
- What capacity building programs or activities does your company provide to help WBE suppliers grow and increase competitiveness?
- Provide one or more examples of what your company has done to grow specific WBCS WBE suppliers during the past year.
- Describe the most significant accomplishments your company has had in the area of women’s business development during the past year.
- Describe your company’s vision for the future of your supplier diversity program.
