May 20, 2025, 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. Procurement and supplier engagement sourcing professionals will highlight their category needs for the next 12 – 18 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

Allete | Land Clearing; Environmental Restoration; Access matting, placement and access; HVAC; Construction – Electrical; Surveying/staking; General Construction

Allina Health |

Bayer | Construction; engineering; architecture

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois |

BMO |

Caesars Entertainment | Snow Removal; Gift Cards; Small Construction Projects; Carpet Purchase & Installation; Hood Cleaning; Food & Beverage Supplies

Cardinal Health |

The Cigna Group | Health & Wellness

Chicago Transit Authority | Construction Contracts; Professional Services Contracts; Small Business Programs

Constellation Energy |

Ecolab |

Edelman | Video production; Photography; Web services; Event organization; Talent Management (influencers, celebrities); Recruitment/Temp agencies; Catering

International Motors LLC |

Jack Henry |

Medtronic |

Michels | Construction Contractors (not residential); Construction Suppliers

New World Van Lines |

Outworx Group |

Pace |

Securian Financial | Staff Aug; Management Consulting Firms; Law Firms; Financial Consulting Firms; Marketing services

Starbucks |

T-Mobile |

US Bank |

Vistra |

Xcel Energy | Civil, Transmission, Distribution & Gas Construction; Engineering Services; Gas Damage Prevention & Meter Services; Customer Demand Marketing; Corporate & IT Services; Renewables (wind, solar, battery, electric vehicle)

Please visit this page regularly for the most current list of confirmed Corporate Partners and Category Opportunities 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 Karen Goldner at kgoldner@wbdc.org