What's New with WEConnect?

Did you know that there is a program that connects women entrepreneurs seeking larger markets with organizations that wish to do business with diversity suppliers?

WEConnect Canada is a Canadian non-profit organization that is opening doors to new supply chains. Led by corporate members, it certifies firms that are at least 51% owned, managed and controlled by women and connects them with the growing global demand from corporations and the public sector for diversity and innovative suppliers.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has published a very comprehensive and informative issue of their newsletter on business women in international trade.  This newest issue focuses on what women bring to the diversity of the world’s supply chains and the benefits of WEConnect certification. It can be found online at www.businesswomenintrade.gc.ca

The Women’s Enterprise Centre is the WEConnect certifier in Manitoba. Learn more about becoming certified by contacting the Centre on e-mail or telephone (204-988-1860 or 1-800-203-2343).

WEConnect's counterpart organization in the US is WBENC (Women's Business Enterprise National Council). WBENC conferences bring together several thousand women business suppliers and large companies seeking a diversity supply chain. To find out more about WBENC's annual conference, contact Heather Stephens at hstephens@wecm.ca .

WBENC Conference Highlights

Every year, the WBENC conference connects thousands of women entrepreneurs with major corporate buyers and government purchasers who wish to diversify their supply chains by doing business with certified women business owners. For the past two years, WEConnect has arranged for Canadian delegations to attend the conferences. Check out these videos and hear what women from across the country had to say about WEConnect certification and the impact it has had on their business.

Las Vegas, June 2011

Baltimore, June 2010

Connecting to Contracts is an initiative of the Women’s Enterprise Centre of Manitoba and our sister organizations in Western Canada to prepare women entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and obtain WEConnect certification so that they successfully access new and larger markets.

Connecting to Contracts provides opportunities to:

• Connect with entrepreneurial peers and develop influential contacts
• Participate in trade missions, conferences, trade shows and special events that take place close to home and around the world
• Learn from entrepreneurs and experts who have achieved success by establishing contractual arrangements with a variety of organizations
• Become part of a network of women entrepreneurs and connect with organizations that want to do business with women-owned enterprises
• Hone your skills and develop strategies to effectively find, secure and fulfill contracts

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