WBENC is gearing up for an IMPACTFUL 2026! The year officially launched with the WBENC Open House: IMPACT Your Business, an energizing kickoff that unveiled the opportunities, programming, and connections set to shape the year ahead across the WBENC network.
Designed to inform and inspire, the Open House offered attendees an early look at the 2026 calendar, featuring signature events, innovative programming, and expanded pathways for engagement. As a national leader in business development programming, WBENC is focused on supporting businesses in every stage as they look to grow with intentional and measurable impact.
As WBENC looks ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: this is the year to show up and make an IMPACT.
With so much on the horizon, the 2026 calendar is packed with opportunities designed to help businesses connect, learn, and grow. From world-class certification and executive education programs to networking, engagement, and outreach initiatives, each offering is crafted to provide tangible value and actionable insights. The Open House set the stage, and now it’s time to explore the programs and experiences that will define a year of IMPACT across the WBENC network.
The WBENC Economic Impact Initiative
The WBENC Economic Impact Initiative is an existing and growing resource highlighting the real, measurable outcomes driven by entrepreneurs and businesses every day! Women-owned and small businesses play a critical role in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, creating jobs and positively impacting communities, employing approximately 12.2 million people and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue annually. The WBENC Economic Impact Initiative showcases examples of the significant impact these businesses are making in their local communities, industries, and the economy as a whole. EVERY business owner has a story to tell!
Part of the WBENC Network? Submit your Economic Impact Story today to be reviewed and considered for publishing in the Economic Impact Initiative.
View Economic Impact Stories!
Your Journey of IMPACT Continues at the WBENC National Conference
Save the Date for the 2026 WBENC National Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, June 15-18! The WBENC National Conference continues to be a powerful gathering point for connection, collaboration, and growth across the network. Each year, the WBENC National Conference creates opportunities to forge new relationships, strengthen existing ones, and share unforgettable experiences that drive impact and innovation! WBENC continually raises the bar with fresh, dynamic approaches that spark connections and lead to opportunities.
Hear from the WBENC Board Chair, Cheryl Harris, about why this is the year to lean in, show up, and make an IMPACT! Watch Now
Get ready for the 2026 WBENC National Conference and STAY TUNED for more on what’s NEW this year!
Registration Coming Soon! Learn More / Book Your Hotel
WBENC LIFT Financial Center of Excellence
Entrepreneurship is a catalyst for economic gro
wth, job creation, and community impact. But as every entrepreneur knows, success doesn’t happen in isolation, it requires knowledge, strategic connections, and access to capital. Since its launch in late 2020, WBENC LIFT has been that bridge. WBENC LIFT has empowered 13,000+ businesses, fostered thousands of strategic connections, and unlocked millions in funding through a network of 30+ capital partners.
Building on that success, WBENC LIFT is expanding opportunities in 2026 to reach even more entrepreneurs with the tools that they need to thrive!
- NEW in 2026: WBENC LIFT CEO Catalyst
- Returning in 2026: WBENC LIFT Entrepreneur Financial Readiness Series
- At the WBENC National Conference: Capital Connections Corner
- In-Person Opportunities: WBENC LIFT in the Community
- Ongoing Capital Resources
Learn More!
Executive Education Programming
At the heart of WBENC’s mission is expanding opportunities and empowering business growth, and Executive Education Programming plays a critical role in making that possible. The Open House spotlighted a robust lineup of executive education opportunities for 2026, focused on practical learning and actionable strategies that help business owners drive measurable results.
Learn More about IMPACTFUL Executive Education Programming from WBENC in 2026:
- WeTHRIVE
- WeIGNITE
- Manufacturing Center of Excellence and Construction Center of Excellence (email us at industryprograms@wbenc.org to join or for more information.)
- NEW in 2026: Supplier Readiness Accelerator | Building the Construction Supply Chain
- Energy Executive Program
- WBENC Tuck Capstone
Networking and Engagement Programming
From intentionally designed programming that supports strategic networking to awards that recognize meaningful engagement and leadership, the Open House offered a comprehensive preview of what the network can expect in the year ahead. Together, these initiatives underscore WBENC’s commitment to fostering connection, celebrating impact, and creating opportunities that strengthen the entire network.
Learn More about Networking and Engagement Programming:
- WBENCPitch
- WBENCPitch Academy
- WBENC Forum Insight Series
- Meet the 2026 WBE Stars / Learn More About the WBE Star Award
- NEW in 2026: Supplier Impact Journey (details sent directly to National Members)
Outreach Programming
WBENC Outreach Programming highlights a strategic focus on expanding access to business development resources and meaningful engagement opportunities for entrepreneurs and business owners nationwide. During the Open House, WBENC highlighted how its outreach initiatives are designed to raise awareness, remove barriers, and connect more businesses and entrepreneurs to the tools, education, and network that support long-term success.
Learn More about WBENC Outreach Programming:
Certification
WBENC Certification is the most widely recognized and respected national certification for women-owned businesses in the United States. Delivered through a strong partnership with 14 Regional Partner Organizations, WBENC Certification was featured during the Open House as a powerful tool for validation, connection, and expanded opportunity across the network. WBENC Certification validates that a business is at least 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women.
Certification offers numerous benefits, including access to networking events, procurement opportunities, mentoring, executive education, capacity development programs, and other business tools and resources. WBENC Certification also grants the ability to use the Women Owned Logo and the Women’s Business Enterprise Seal—powerful marketing assets that help promote your business, strengthen your brand, and increase visibility in the marketplace.
Expand Your Impact in 2026!
As we step into 2026, the focus is on IMPACT—taking what’s been learned, showing up with purpose, and engaging fully across the WBENC network. From certification and executive education to networking and outreach, each program offers a way to turn participation into progress. This is the year to lean in, get involved, and make an IMPACT.
