Amplify Your Business: Unleashing the Power of the 2024 WBENC National Conference

Intro: [00:00:07] Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios. It’s time for Women in Motion. Brought to you by Wbec West. Join forces. Succeed together. Now here’s your host.

Lee Kantor: [00:00:27] Lee Kantor here with Dr. Pamela Williamson. Another episode of Women in Motion brought to you, of course, by WBEC West. Today’s topic the WBENC National Conference. Why attend? So excited to dig into this, Pamela.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:00:42] You know what? So am I. We are so excited to have the conference this year in our territory. So the conference this year is in Denver. So we’re excited to talk about it, help people understand why they should attend and what they’ll get out of it. This is the first part of a series on the conference, so I am so excited. I am so excited to introduce Erin Watson, who is the Senior Director of Marketing for WBENC. And Erin leads all of the marketing and communication strategies and execution for all WBENC programs, events and initiatives. Erin, I thank you so much for being on.

Erin Watson: [00:01:18] Thank you so much for having me. Dr. Pamela.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:01:21] I want to kick off by just starting with some basic information about the conference so everybody knows the who will be there, what to expect, the times and all of that. So I’m going to pass that on to you to talk a little bit about that.

Erin Watson: [00:01:36] Sounds great. So we we are so excited to bring our we Bank national conference. It’s an annual conference now to Denver, Colorado this year as Dr. Pamela said her region her regional partner organization region. We are so lucky to have 14 regional partner organizations that are incredibly powerful and represent the entire network so well all over the country, but we’ll be in Denver this year and it’ll be March 19th through the 22nd. That’s a Tuesday through a Friday, and we are just so excited to bring this conference to life in Denver this year. This is the largest conference of its kind for women owned businesses and for the companies and advocates that support them. So it is a can’t miss, must not miss conference for anyone that is doing business as a woman owned business or wants to do business with women owned businesses.

Lee Kantor: [00:02:33] Can you share a little bit about what a person, maybe who’s coming for the first time? What are some of the things they can expect?

Erin Watson: [00:02:41] Yes, for sure. When you come to the we Bank conference, the first thing you realize is this is unlike any conference that you’ve been to before. There is really nothing like the we Bank National conference. It is truly just a super energetic environment, almost electric in terms of the energy of what people are bringing, in terms of wanting to support each other, work with one another, meet and connect and network and learn from each other. And that’s really what the National Conference is, is all about, is bringing people together who have innovative, dynamic businesses and initiatives and want to do business and help raise up women owned businesses. So when you are an attendee, if you’re a first time attendee, sometimes it’s a little overwhelming, but that’s because it’s so dynamic and it’s so amazing. But we do a really specific job at making sure you feel comfortable, um, before you come in and when you arrive. So we when you first get there, we will we’re, we’re going to start with what we call our regional partner organization meetups. And that’s going to really ground every attendee, whether they’re new or long standing within their regional partner organization, and so that they can do some networking, meet some people, or reconnect with people from their region.

Erin Watson: [00:04:03] And that’s really going to be an amazing kickoff to the entire week of of programing. As we go in, we’ll have some general sessions, we’ll have lots of networking. We have a We Bank expo floor, which is the largest really of its kind. And let me tell you, so much business happens on that floor. It is truly amazing. We also do meet and greet sessions with corporate members, where you will be able to do roundtable sessions, specifically with companies that you identify that you want to connect with. And then of course, we have lots of fun. So we have networking events each evening. You know, we have other opportunities for people to connect in small groups and large groups and of course, always education. Our network wants to empower others to grow and to learn and to be able to be successful within our specific industries that our corporate members represent. And also overall as a women owned business. So there’s so much as a as an attendee that they can take advantage of.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:05:08] Erin. I’m just wanting just to make sure everybody understands that this conference you can attend, whether you are certified as a WBE or whether you are a Wbho or it’s pretty much open to everyone.

Erin Watson: [00:05:21] Yes, that’s that’s right. And great. Great point. Um, this conference is intended to be for anyone who is interested as a woman owned business in growing their business and learning more about being certified in the and the WBENCnetwork. Um, as well as any, uh, you know, corporate, a corporation or um, governmental organization that is committed to working with more women owned businesses. So you don’t have to be certified to attend. Of course. Um, if you’re certified, there are specific opportunities, just like with our entire WBENCnetwork. Um, if you’re certified, and we certainly do encourage people to take a look at certification. Um, but anyone can attend to this. And we attend this conference, and we highly encourage anyone with interest in, um, being a woman owned business or working with women owned businesses to check it out and to join us, because I can promise you, once you attend a WBENCconference and understand how unique it is among other conferences, you will, uh, you will get while you while you need to be part of this network and attend future conferences.

Lee Kantor: [00:06:28] Now go ahead. I’m sorry. No. You go.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:06:31] So. So when you, um, say it’s the largest, what does that translate to?

Erin Watson: [00:06:37] Yeah. Um, so we see, um, it’s about 47 to 4800 attendees. Um, our network is built of, uh, as, as listeners know, of corporate members that are the fortune 500 and fortune 1000 from this country. We have the largest organizations are supporting what what the WBENCnetwork does nationwide. And so we have, um, them all in attendance, and they bring their teams that are ready to do business that are, um, geared up, that want to connect with women owned businesses. Um, and then, you know, WBS, um, from our network. Um, so it it’s a, it’s a large it’s a large conference. It’s super dynamic. There’s so many opportunities for it. But, um, yeah, it truly is the largest. Um, but I’ll add to that, that like we talked about with for first time members may be a little intimidating at first, but we are so welcoming. The conference itself. We get when you get on site, you feel that. And um, because of the way our RPOs and all of us execute this conference, it doesn’t feel overwhelming. Um, once you get on the ground and you fully engage and immerse yourself. Um, so while there’s a lot of people, which is awesome because there’s so many people to connect with, um, it’s also a very accessible conference in the way that it’s structured with the dedicated expo floor time and the dedicated meet and greet times, um, and other aspects of it.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:08:18] So I can say that I’ve been involved with Webbank. I want to say now for over ten years, and the growth has just been phenomenal around attendance. And you talked a little bit about the meet and greets. Can you share how those are structured so that people do get that instantaneous comfort and belongingness?

Erin Watson: [00:08:42] Definitely. Meet and greets are one of my favorites. And I hear from from WBS the really powerful conversations they have every time. Um, so our meet and greets will take place this year over one dedicated, um, amount of of time. Um, that will be Wednesday afternoons. And what we’ll do, um, is everyone you know, you’ll have a full list. Attendees will have a full list of all the corporate members that are participating. And they this year they’ll be, um, in industry areas versus alphabetical. So industry areas. And as an attendee, you’ll be able you’ll see the list in advance and you’ll be able to plot your strategy. You’ll be able to, um, you know, take a look at who’s participating, prepare for that conversation. Prepare your pitch. Of course. Um, and then you’ll be able to specifically and strategically go to where that company will have a round table. There will be it’ll be 20 minute roundtable sessions in which there will be a handful of WBS that are that have space for at each table. And each WB will have an opportunity to share information about their business. Um, for about 60s each. Um, to be able to, to get exposure for their business with that corporate member as well as you never know what WB you’re sitting with and the opportunities that might be there. Um and then from there the corporate member can ask questions there. There’s great dialog that happens during those roundtables. But again they’re 20 minute roundtables. And that way you can hit go to a lot of different corporate members. Um, and often from what I have heard, you have these initial conversations, you do your elevator pitch and that just begin. It opens up an amazing ongoing conversation that happens again at the on the expo floor, or happens at one of our events or after a conference. Um, so it’s just a really good way to, to spark, um, the beginning of a conversation or sometimes a continuation of a conversation.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:10:51] You know, the other thing that I really appreciate about this conference is the app and being able to get on that app and connect with people. So can you talk a little bit about the app and the best way to use it and just how how that’s just such a great engagement tool.

Erin Watson: [00:11:08] We are so, um, happy to be able to provide a really dynamic mobile app experience each year. It’s really such a great tool, um, that people will they will get in advance, they will have access to it, um, in advance. And so it will have on there the full schedule. It’ll have all of our exhibitors, it will have all of our sponsors, obviously, our education sessions, our expo map, pretty much everything you need to know when you hit the ground. Um, and you can. And what I really love about it is you can plan out. Just like with the meet and greets within the app, you’ll be able to plan out who, um, which corporate member you want to make sure you, um, go to their table on meet and greet and you can create your own my show planner. So it’s pretty much everything you need on site to be able to navigate and organize, um, your experience at the conference.

Lee Kantor: [00:12:03] Now, if somebody wants to take advantage of networking with these corporations about how many corporations do you think that an ambitious person could be meeting during the course of the the conference?

Erin Watson: [00:12:17] I love that question. Um, well, first of all, we encourage everyone to wear tennis shoes or extremely comfortable shoes because, um, the number of companies you can meet with is, uh, exponential as long as you have comfortable shoes, in my experience. Um, like I said, it’s really what we really encourage WBZ to do is to think about their business, to think about what they want to accomplish from the conference, and let that guide how, um, those conversations go, because for one WB, it may not be volume, it may be trying to have some more in-depth conversations, or you have a very specific type of audience that you’re looking to, um, have some, some connections with. So it really kind of depends on their strategy. And that’s where, um, I know that our RPOs are communicating, um, with our attendees to help get to equip them with some of those strategies and help them think through some of that in advance.

Lee Kantor: [00:13:20] Now, um, there’s also a lot of speakers, right. Can you talk about some of the education and, and even entertainment that’s going to occur during the event, our education sessions?

Erin Watson: [00:13:30] I can’t express it enough unless you get to the conference. This is a it’s a different kind of conference. If you’ve been to these large professional development conferences like I have, um, you know, the, the everybody, you know, there’s lots of education sessions and that’s great. We do have amazing education sessions with our industry. Um. Advisory boards as well as with some key WBS. Um, and they are super educational. They, um, help you to navigate and better understand the industries, to understand top issues within, um, within each industry. This year in particular, we are asking all the industries to, um, hyper focus on how ESG and I as very key topics in business today. Um, are coming to life. For them and related how WBZ need to be prepared, need to be presenting themselves, need to be supporting what each of the corporate members are doing related to ESG and AI. So these are going to be very dynamic, very specific conversations. Um, but as I said, we’ve got great education, but the bulk of the conference is networking because we that’s what we hear from our WBZ and our corporate members. They are coming to make connections because these attendees are committed, uh, corporate members are committed to identifying more and more women owned businesses that they can help grow and do business with.

Lee Kantor: [00:15:11] Now, um, is there an opportunity for the webs to, uh, network amongst themselves? Are there, uh, kind of some events that are encouraging that type of collaboration and that kind of synergies? Because I find a lot of times in, in this previous event that I’ve attended and other events like this, that’s really where a lot of magic can happen, those serendipitous, uh, kind of moments where you collide with somebody in an unexpectedly and you realize, hey, there’s there might be something here that we can work together on or something we could do together.

Erin Watson: [00:15:44] Yeah, Lee, that is a fantastic point. What we try to tell people is you never know who you’re going to meet and that next connection you’re going to make. And that a lot of times is with fellow WBZ. Our network has grown and is so dynamic that we have many, many WBZ who are doing business with each other, who are bringing each other into opportunities, who are large enough WBZ of their own that they are lead vendors or lead suppliers, and bringing other WBZ with them. So truly, we tell every attendee, you’re standing in line at lunch, talk to the person next to you. You’re at a any of the events. Talk to anyone you can because you never know what new opportunity is going to emerge. And that is very much the case with WBZ doing business with each other.

Lee Kantor: [00:16:41] Now this year’s theme is amplify. Can you talk about, um, how that came about and what is kind of the the thought behind it?

Speaker5: [00:16:51] Yes.

Erin Watson: [00:16:51] Our theme this year is amplify. And the the meaning behind that is. Yes. Amplify at its core is tends to be a sound idea, you know, how do we make it louder, expand it. But for for this year, amplify was a very organic firm that we have been hearing a lot in our network. In 2023. Our theme was momentum. We were coming back from Covid and we were coming back strong. We had that momentum and we were building even more. Now in 2024, we’re going to take that momentum and we are going to amplify it in so many different ways. We are going to raise each other up. We are going to work together to make each other stronger. We are going to tell other people about. Each other’s businesses, about webank about the value of engaging in the Webank network. So everywhere we go, amplify is is what we’re doing, what we do for each other and with each other and within Webank and certainly at this conference.

Lee Kantor: [00:18:02] Now, when a person is attending an event like this and like you mentioned, it is kind of overwhelming for that first timer to walk into a room and seeing so many, uh, women and a lot of them are walking around like they know what they’re doing. And sometimes the new person gets kind of overwhelmed by that. Is there anything you can share? Um, you know, tips maybe that can help a person kind of get acclimated quickly. You mentioned the app, and maybe that is a good first step is to use technology to kind of preplan some of these early meetings to help you get kind of some momentum early.

Erin Watson: [00:18:37] There are, um, many ways that attendees, especially first time attendees, can, um, get ready for conference. Um, first, I always recommend make sure that they are engaging um in their RPO. Make sure that you are talking to to your network, your built in in network. Um, and Dr. Pamela, you certainly can can share more about that. You all do an amazing job of that. Um, in WebEx West. Um, but first get make sure you’re engaged in your RPO. Um, these regional partner organizations do amazing work all year round. Um, but especially before conference, there are additional resources. Um, even if it’s not just about conference, attend some of the virtual sessions or ten events that are leading up to the conference so that you know someone in your region. The second thing, or a few more things that we recommend and are offering. We have orientation sessions that will be taking place prior to conference. So if you go to our website webbank. Org and go to the news and resources section or and they’re also on our calendar, you will see the full list of virtual orientations that we do. These orientations are really focused on, um, understanding and how to navigate the conference versus your strategy. But we will lay out fully. Here’s the schedule. Here’s what’s going to be happening. Make sure you download your mobile app. Um, it’ll get into all those grounding points that, um, anyone who’s attending, um, will want to know and want. So we highly recommend attending orientation sessions. As you mentioned, the mobile app will be launching, um, right as these orientation sessions are starting. So getting into the mobile app, getting familiar with the schedule especially is going to be really important going ahead and starting, um, to work on your plan, you know, what events do you want to make sure you attend? What companies do you want to make sure you connect with? So there are there’s there are so many resources already on the conference site. And, um, we’ll be coming even more with these orientation sessions and with our mobile app.

Lee Kantor: [00:20:53] Is there a story maybe you can share of somebody that has that you learned about, or maybe met, that can share a success story coming just directly from the conference? Like I went to the conference and this kind of magical thing happened.

Erin Watson: [00:21:12] They’re what I would say is there are there are so many stories of that. Um. Put me a little on the spot to come up with one, because there really are so many. I. Dr. Pamela, please weigh in here. You may know of one, and I know that there’s lots. Um, but it really happens. We hear somebody tell us every day we met at conference. Um, I’ll share one. Not from a, um, a WBE, but we have a lift financial Center of excellence that is growing because one of the largest challenges for women owned businesses, and particularly black women owned businesses, is access to capital and to equity. And as we know, our black women owned businesses have been establishing businesses and growing businesses much faster than anyone else. Um, but equity and and access to capital still is not, um, there for women owned businesses. But one of our WBS that I, um, we’ve been talking to said I was so scared, I didn’t understand the whole financial world. I was intimidated by it. But finally I went she went to a session at last year’s conference. She heard it. She talked to other WBS there in person, and it finally clicked for her that that was something that she needed to look into. Um, and I loved hearing that story. Um, now, the 1 to 1 success stories, they’re they’re everywhere. Um, and I that is the power of the conference. Um, so, Dr. Pamela, please, uh, do you have any specifics or can talk to that in general?

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:22:44] I’m going to talk about it in general, because one of the things I tell people about the conference is that it is a magical place. But I think you decide what success is at the conference for yourself. And so I think there everybody is at different stages in their business. Some people are going to go to the conference because they have been connecting with corporations, and it’s their opportunity to meet them face to face and seal a deal. Some people are at a different point where they’re just renewing relationships because they already have contracts with people, and then we have people who are just starting out who are just trying to get their first face to face interaction with the corporation. So I think success comes in a variety of different ways. So do we have women who walk away with conference contracts from the conference? We definitely do. Um, I try to frame that. I try not to tell those stories, and specifically I try not to tell them because I don’t want people to think that when you go, that’s automatically going to happen. Um, there’s great one offs that happen. But also this conference is really about building relationships, um, system like putting effort into sustain relationships. So yes, those one off I got a contract happen. But I don’t want everybody who goes to think that’s going to happen to them. So I really encourage people to really think about what success means to them, um, at this conference and measure it by their yardstick, not by someone else’s.

Lee Kantor: [00:24:19] And, and, and creating and building and nurturing relationships is a good metric to use for that and may not be sales or getting a contract. But but if you if you start counting the number of quality relationships, you’re not going to be able to make this many in this short a period of time. Uh, because there are so many powerful people at this event.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:24:41] Right? What I tell people is typically that if you want to get about five years worth of networking done and just to fill your bank of follow up leads, this is the conference to go to to to do that. And you can literally walk away with five years plus worth of leads at this conference.

Lee Kantor: [00:25:04] Now, is there anything? Aaron, um, you know, on the entertainment front, is there some fun also? Or is this just all heads down work?

Erin Watson: [00:25:14] The entire conference is fine. Um, we infuse fun and warmth into the entire thing because that’s what our network is, is these are people who are committed to growing, of course, their business, but bringing others along with them. So of course, we have fun. Um, some specifics that are always a hallmark of the Whizbang conferences. We have a love for karaoke, so we always have karaoke. We always have some dancing. We always have interactive activities, um, and events. This year we have, um, specifically what we’re calling, uh, a apres ski event, where because we’re in Denver, we’re encouraging people to bring, um, whatever you would wear after you’ve been out on the slopes, um, for a fun gathering. And we’re going to have some snow weather oriented activities as well as, um, you know, sitting areas and other fun activities. So, um, our events team really just always brings it in terms of the fun, for sure. Um, and the, the fun that we do, I will say. It’s all purposeful and it all brings people together.

Lee Kantor: [00:26:35] Now. Um, there’s still time, I would think, to sign up if you haven’t already signed up for the event. So if you want to attend as a certified or non certified, uh, attendee, that’s available, is that correct?

Erin Watson: [00:26:49] That’s correct. General registration is open. The Early bird closes February 15th. This year we are doing a special Friday curated event that is a ticket and a ticketed only event in addition to your general registration and, um, to qualify for that, which we’re calling. Luck of the draw. Um, you do have to register as a general attendee by January 15th. Um, so timing wise, that’s tight, but that doesn’t mean anyone can still attend. Um, early bird is February 15th online on site. Sorry. Early bird is February 15th. Online registration will close March 13th and this year, due to capacity, we will not have new registrations available on site in Denver. So just want to make that very, very clear. You can register up to March 13th. Early bird closes February 15th and no on site registration. So we highly encourage everyone to get their registration as soon as they can.

Lee Kantor: [00:28:00] Now does that is it the same for corporates?

Erin Watson: [00:28:06] For general registration for corporates. That is it’s that same timing. So um, unless they’re a sponsor of course, then they have registrations through their sponsorship. We through our expo I will say our expo floor, uh, books up very, very quickly. And we’re thankful to have so many amazing corporate members and exhibitors, um, for that, uh, but if you’re a corporate member or a company representative looking to check out the conference, um, we highly encourage you to attend as well.

Lee Kantor: [00:28:35] Now, uh, speaking of sponsors and exhibitors, is that filled? Is there room for more sponsors or exhibitors or is that filled?

Erin Watson: [00:28:44] Their sponsorships are still available. We encourage anyone who’s interested in a sponsorship to definitely get in touch with us as soon as possible. Um, the exhibit floor as exhibitors is is is pretty full. So, um, we highly encourage everyone to, um, to get with our team ASAP. We’re going to be rolling out that exhibit floor here, um, in the next couple of weeks.

Lee Kantor: [00:29:09] And then where should they go if they want to attend?

Erin Watson: [00:29:14] Yeah. So our the conference website is webbank.org/conference. Uh, let me say that again the the conference website is webbank.org/conference. That is your one stop shop for everything about the WBENCconference including your registration link.

Lee Kantor: [00:29:32] Dr. Pamela, you must be so excited for this event.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:29:37] I am over the moon about this event. It’s such a great opportunity for women to connect with corporations and each other and just learn some tips and tricks to growing their business and just some building some awesome long terme relationships. So it’s definitely, um, I think the last time it was in the western region was probably about seven years ago. And so we love it when it comes this direction. And, you know, we want to make it special for everyone who who registers. So we’re looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Lee Kantor: [00:30:14] Well, thank you so much, um, Erin, for sharing your expertise in this. You’re doing such important work, and we appreciate you.

Erin Watson: [00:30:22] Thank you.

Lee Kantor: [00:30:23] And, Dr. Pamela, I think that’s a wrap on this episode. And we’re going to have a few more to really dig deep onto this event, because it’s so important. And we want everybody who can benefit to attend.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:30:37] We do. Whether you’re certified, whether you’re thinking about starting a business, whether you’re not certified, we encourage you to attend. And again, just, uh, fill up on some of the great information and the relationship building and walk away with about five years worth of contacts.

Lee Kantor: [00:30:56] Yeah. That’s a that’s a great, uh, thought to keep in mind if you’re on the fence on this, if you have a better way to get five years worth of contacts in three days, do that. But I don’t think you’re going to be able to do that. I think this event is a must attend event for any, uh, woman owned business, uh, leader of any size.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:31:16] Yep I concur. All right.

Dr. Pamela Williamson: [00:31:19] Thank you for sharing all of this information with us.

Erin Watson: [00:31:22] Well, thanks for having me. Um, thank you for all that you do, Dr.. Pamela. And what we back west? Us. We can’t wait to see everyone in Denver and celebrate and amplify all the amazing work that’s being done throughout the country.

Lee Kantor: [00:31:36] Right. And this conference one more time is March 19th through the 22nd in Denver, Colorado. And Aaron, one more time, the website for anybody who wants to learn more webbank.org Wbenc.

Erin Watson: [00:31:49] Dot org slash conference.

Lee Kantor: [00:31:52] All right. Well that’s a wrap for this episode of Women in Motion. This is Lee Kantor for Dr. Pamela Williamson. We will see you all next time.