Canadian Delegation at Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) 2025

Date: June 22 to June 26, 2025
Venue: Morial Convention Center, New Orleans
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
Target Audience: Women-owned businesses in Canada looking to export to the U.S.
Sector: Aerospace, Agriculture and processed foods, Arts and cultural industries, Automotive, Chemicals, Clean technologies, Consumer products, Education, Financial and insurance services, Fish and seafood, Forestry and wood products, Industrial machinery, Information and communications technologies, Infrastructure, Life sciences, Mining, Oil and gas, Professional services, Tourism, Transportation, Wine, beer and spirits

Event description

Are you a women-owned business in Canada looking to expand into the U.S. market? Don’t miss the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Conference – the largest event of its kind focused on supplier diversity and business growth. 

This premier event brings together thousands of women entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and supplier diversity professionals eager to build partnerships and do business. Attendees include representatives from: 

• the Fortune 500 
• the U.S. federal government 
• women business owners and their teams 
• key representatives of WBENC strategy partner organizations 

With over 95% of Fortune 500 companies integrating supplier diversity into their procurement strategies, WBENC offers excellent visibility to companies led by individuals who have been traditionally underrepresented in trade, providing a platform for establishing valuable connections and gaining insights from industry peers. 

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) will be leveraging this event to provide women-owned businesses with: 

• solutions to export-related questions 
• strategic business advice on the U.S. market 
• business-to-business connection opportunities 

Embark on this journey with us and take part in the following activities designed to equip you with the information and tools necessary for success in the U.S. market: 

• Know-Before-You-Go Webinar: Prepare for your exhilarating journey to WBENC in the legendary Crescent City by participating in this informative webinar with the Trade Commissioner Service in Dallas  
• Two Engaging Virtual Workshops on How to Work with US Corporate Supplier Diversity Teams: Get the latest supplier diversity insights from two of the largest multinational corporations headquartered in the South-Central US and learn how they work with WBEs and how to refine your pitch in these challenging times  
• WEConnect International Day: see details below 
• Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and B2B Meeting Space at WBENC Expo 
• Canada at WBENC Networking Breakfast on June 23:  an exclusive networking breakfast on the margins of WBENC aimed at connecting WBEs to local and regional contacts  

Register to attend

• To participate in the TCS' Canadian business program and benefit from TCS support at WBENC 2025, register as soon as possible. 

Important notes

• TCS programming will kick off with participation in WEConnect International Day, taking place one day prior to WBENC at the Sheraton Hotel New Orleans on June 22, 2025. Note that participants are required to register separately to attend WEConnect International Day and must be WEConnect certified or WEConnect registered (there is no charge to become registered with WEConnect) to participate but there is a cost to attend regardless. Early bird discounts are substantial but end May 1. Check out the event website for more information, including links to become certified or registered with WEConnect. 
• TCS business program participants must also register to WBENC 2025, visit the event website for more details. 
• Please note that some program elements such as the WBENC Match and Meet with America's Top Corporations on date TBD are open only to WBENC and WEConnect Certified WBEs who have a full conference registration. 

Why your organization should participate

• Gain insights and market intelligence
• Meet key commercial entities, industry players, and potential buyers, investors and/or partners
• Participate in networking events

Trade Commissioner(s) involvement

Activities organized by the Trade Commissioner Service

• Business-to-business meetings
• Networking event
• Pavilion/exhibit

The Trade Commissioner Service team in Dallas specializes in supporting Canadian businesses in the U.S. South Central states and can provide information on this event as well as advice on business development in the region. For more information, contact TCS Dallas team members at laura.aune@international.gc.ca or noe.andradequiterio@international.gc.ca.