building opportunity for texas women women’s business enterprise alliance serving women-owned...

Building Opportunity for

Texas Women

Women’s Business Enterprise AllianceServing women-owned businesses in 94 Texas counties

WBEA Mission

To increase business opportunities for

women-owned businesses

and provide

qualified suppliers to buyers.

About the Organization

WBEA is a nationally-recognized purchasing council A 501 (c) 3 , headquartered in Houston

WBEA Membership 500 Certified WBEA WBEs 100 Corporate members

WBEA works to increase business opportunities for WBEs in 94 South Texas counties

Serving women-owned businesses in 94 Texas counties

WBEA Service Area

WBEA: WBENC National Affiliate

WBEA utilizes national certification standards and procedures to certify a business as a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE)

WBEA is a certification partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

WBENC provides certification standards and procedures for which WBEA certifies WBEs

WBENC trains staff and certification committees members

WBENC conducts annual on-site reviews of its 13 other national affiliates

What is WBENC?

Certification standards identify bona-fide WBES

WBEA Certification assures that appropriate programs benefit the intended constituencies.

Standardized procedures help corporations confidently award contracts WBE certification simplifies reporting of WBE dollar spend and utilization

data

WHY GET CERTIFIED?Corporations depend on it!

Independent business No exclusive agreements

51% ownership, management and control

Background, experience, and technical competence/working knowledge

U.S. Citizen(s) or Legal Resident Alien(s)

WHO CAN BE A CERTIFIED WBE?

1. Submit a complete and notarized application and affidavit

2. Desk audit performed

3. Application is submitted to Certification Committee

4. Certification Committee reviews application

CERTIFICATION: 7 SIMPLE STEPS

5. An on-site interview is conducted

6. Certification Committee either approves or denies application

7. Executive Director makes final decision and informs applicant

If denied, applicant has two opportunities for appeal

CERTIFICATION: 7 SIMPLE STEPS

Mentoring Program ChevronTexaco 2nd Friday Educational Seminars Executive Scholarship Program “Keys to Success” Luncheons and Trade Fairs Business Opportunity Breakfasts Email RFPs, RFQs, etc.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Suppliers Guide (online, on disk, email) Buyers Guide (disk, email) Annual Women’s Business Opportunity Expo Annual Awards Program WBEA Website (www.wbea-texas.org)

Suppliers to Buyers Link

HOW DO VENDORS FIND YOU?

WBE Sourcing www. wbea-texas.org

Click on Certified WBE’s Search by

Product/Service Category SIC/NAICS Code Company Name Key Word

www.wbenc.org

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Join the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance Get Certified

Get involved in committees

Attend events

2004 Events

Business Opportunities Breakfast March 3, August 26, October28

Quarterly Luncheons February 19, June 17, November 18

Annual WBE Business Opportunity Expo May 12-13 @ Reliant Center

Golf Tournament October 11, Wild Cat Golf Tournament

Danielle Vara-AlemanMarketing Coordinator

713-681-WBEA, x13dvara@wbea-texas.org

Susan Repka Certification Manager

713-681-9232 x11

srepka@wbea-texas.org 

Contact Us

Business Is Looking Up For Texas WomenWomen’s Business Enterprise Alliance

Building Opportunity for Texas Women

713-681-WBEA or www.wbea-texas.org