WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV

06/08/2026

World Oceans Day reminds us that the ocean is not distant from our daily lives, our communities, or our economy. It is connected to the food we eat, the goods we move, the water we use, the waste we manage, the infrastructure we build, and the innovation we rely on.

Across the WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV network, women-owned businesses are part of that connection across industries including fishing and aquaculture, transportation and warehousing, waste management and remediation, environmental consulting, utilities, construction, food manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, conservation, education, and community services.

This year’s call to reimagine our relationship with the ocean is also a call to recognize the businesses helping build a more sustainable future.

On World Oceans Day, we celebrate the ocean and the women-owned businesses whose work helps protect resources, strengthen communities, and move solutions forward.

06/08/2026

This Pride Month, WBEC NY DMV recognizes the power of diverse businesses to strengthen our economy, expand opportunity, and build more inclusive supply chains.

As an alliance partner with the National LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), we are proud to stand with the LGBTQIA+ business community and with the women-owned businesses across our network who continue to lead, grow, and create meaningful impact.

Allyship means showing up with consistency, respect, and a shared commitment to access. This month and throughout the year, we support the entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and ecosystem allies working to make opportunity more visible, more equitable, and more actionable for diverse-owned businesses.

Register now for the NGLCC Annual Conference (August 18-21): https://www.nglccconference.com/

06/05/2026

Think your service or product is not the kind of thing that can win a pitch competition?

You can pitch any kind of business.

A pitch is not about fitting into one narrow category. It is about helping others understand what you do, who you serve, and why your business matters.

The 2026 Powerplay Pitch Competition application starts with a 60-second video pitch.

WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV provides pitch coaching to help participants prepare, and the competition is free to enter.

The deadline has been extended to June 12.

Apply Now: https://zurl.co/28LuP

06/05/2026

We invite you to join us for this valuable virtual session led by experts from the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Department of Commerce, and EXIM Bank centered on helping you take your business into new markets.

Register now - it’s one you won’t want to miss!

Are you ready to expand into new markets? Join WBEC NY DMV on June 11 at 1 p.m. EST for a virtual partner program with EXIM Bank, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Commerce.

Speakers Toya Woods, Michael K. Jackson, and Miguel Peñaloza will share how federal financing, technical assistance, and market access resources can help strengthen your business readiness, manage risk, and support long-term growth.

Secure your place to take advantage of this valuable session centered on growing your business internationally.

Register now: https://zurl.co/jT2MG

06/04/2026

A strong pitch does more than explain what your business does. It helps decision-makers understand why your value matters.

Join us on July 8 for Pitch Academy: The Science of Storytelling, a virtual session for women business owners who want to pitch, sell, or communicate their business value more effectively.

This workshop blends AI-supported practice with human guidance to help you craft stories that strengthen your message and make your ideas easier to remember.

You will learn how stories affect the brain, how to use the building blocks of a strong story, and how pacing, pausing, tone, and narrative framing can improve the way you communicate in high-value conversations.

The session will be led by Nico Aguilar, CEO and co-founder of Speeko, and Jen Litwin, who leads Speeko’s premium live coaching business and enterprise partnerships.

Register here: https://zurl.co/r3ngl

06/04/2026

Heading to the 2026 WBENC National Conference?

Before you arrive, take time to build a plan for the conversations, sessions, and Expo opportunities that matter most to your business.

Join us on June 10 for WEtalks: WBENC Conference Know Before You Go, a virtual session created to help WBEs prepare with more focus and intention.

You’ll hear from Host Committee members Maryann Pagano and Katy Voight-Nobis, experienced WBEs Elin Barton and Stacy Fritz, and corporate partners LaVonia Smith-Carter, Strategic Sourcing Partner at MGM, and Kimberly Ayers, CSMP, Director of Supplier Strategy & Engagement at AARP.

Together, they’ll share guidance on conference planning, Expo strategy, WBEC and peer connections, and effective corporate partner engagement before you arrive.

Register for the WEtalks session: https://zurl.co/HU4dd

Still need to register for the WBENC National Conference? Visit: https://www.wbenc.org/

06/04/2026

Join us today at 1 PM to learn about upcoming events, current opportunities, and programs that can benefit your business!

Join us for I'm Certified, Now What? a virtual session where you'll learn how maximize your Certification, take advantage of opportunities within our network, and get more plugged into the community.

Register Now: https://zurl.co/MCnl7

06/03/2026

As your business grows, so does the pressure on your time, team, and budget.

Join WBEC NY DMV on July 7 at 11 a.m. EST for WEtalks: Staffing to Scale: Building Capacity Without Breaking Your Budget, a virtual session led by Stephanie Ranno, Director of Growth at FlexProfessionals.

This session will provide a practical framework for building capacity strategically, including flexible hiring models that can help you add support, strengthen operations, and scale in a sustainable way.

Register now: https://zurl.co/SZH2W

06/03/2026

Good news: the 2026 Powerplay Pitch Competition deadline has been extended to June 12.

If you have been thinking, “It's probably not worth applying because I may not win,” this is your reminder that the value of the Pitch competition starts before the final round.

Applying gives you a reason to clarify your business message, practice your pitch, and put your work forward.

WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV provides pitch coaching to help participants prepare.

Your application video is only 60 seconds, and the competition is free to enter.

You also have the chance to advance to the WBENC National Competition to compete for a grand prize of $20,000.

Apply Now: https://zurl.co/28LuP

06/02/2026

Join us for I'm Certified, Now What? a virtual session where you'll learn how maximize your Certification, take advantage of opportunities within our network, and get more plugged into the community.

Register Now: https://zurl.co/MCnl7