2023 WBDC Virtual Corporate Connections

June 27, 2023, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m., CT via Zoom

A virtual engagement designed to hear from our Corporate Partners on how to do business within their organizations. Supplier Diversity and Sourcing Professionals will highlight their category needs for the next 6 – 9 months as well as provide insights into their sourcing strategies.

 

Program Format

The Virtual Corporate Connections begins with a welcome and program highlight.  Then the program will transition to industry specific breakout rooms. That includes 3 breakout sessions in which WBEs select the industry specific rooms they would like to visit. As attendees, each WBE will provide a 60-second introduction about their company.

 

Confirmed Corporate Partners  |  Category Opportunities

Allina Healthcare    |   

ALLETE   |  EV chargers and Software, Power, Distribution and Specialty Transformer Manufacturing, Storage Battery Manufacturing, Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counter Device Manufacturing

American Family Insurance   |

Andersen Corporation    |

Bank of America  |

BP  |

Cargill   |  Agriculture (growers, producers, farmers), Construction Services, Financial Services, Janitorial Services, Skilled Trades (Electrical, Mechanical, Piping), Transportation (Asset-Based Only – No Brokers)

Cigna   |   Healthcare, Print

ComEd/Exelon   |

Evergy   |

Ferrara Candy Company   |  Catering (inside Chicago/Cook County), General Industrial Supplies, Industrial Tape/Stretch Wrap, IT Peripherals 

Hallmark   |

Kellogg Company   |  Asset Based Logistics, Corn/Wheat/Sweetener/Grains, Electronic Distributors, Equipment Leasing, Packaging Manufacturing, Seasoning, Spices, Flavoring, Soy and Other Oils 

Kohler Company   |  Aluminum Billets, Air and LCL Freight, Corrugate and Honeycomb Packaging, POP Displays, Public Relations, Truckload 

Medtronic, Inc.   |

Metropolitan Community College   |

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities   |  Computer Hardware, Construction, Educational & Instructional Services, Financial Services, Maintenance and Repair Suppliers, Maintenance Services, Software 

Nicor Gas Company   |

Northwestern Mutual   |

NPL Construction Co   |

Southern Company Gas   |

Starbucks Coffee Company   |

Target   |  Construction, Food and Beverage, Health and Beauty, Marketing, Transportation

The Art Institute of Chicago   |

U.S. Bank   |

United Health Group   |

University of Minnesota   |  Caterers/Event Services, Document Shredding, Lab Equipment/ Supplies (Dental & Medical), Staffing Services (Employment Services)

Veolia Water Milwaukee LLC    |

Vistra   |  Electrical, Fasteners, Pipe/Valves/Fittings, Janitorial Services, Other MRO

Xcel Energy   |  Electrical, Fasteners, Filtration, Janitorial Suppliers, Other MRO, Pipes/Valves/Fittings

Please visit this page regularly for the most current list of confirmed Corporate Partners for the Virtual Corporate Connections.  This event is open to all WBENC certified WBEs.  WBEs certified through the WBDC – Midwest Regional Partner Organization have received an email invitation with the registration link. If you have not received the invitation and are a WBENC certified WBE and would like to attend, please email Sarah Bruch at sbruch@wbdc.org