CWE

Top 6 Lessons Learned at WBENC 2026 – And Why It Matters for Your Business

The West Hill Team spent an energizing week at WBENC 2026. It delivered exactly what great conferences should: fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and a few reminders that challenge the way we think about growth. From AI’s growing role in procurement to the enduring value of relationships and reputation, the conversations in Salt Lake City revealed where businesses need to focus to stay competitive. As a women-owned law firm that works alongside innovators, founders, and growing companies, we left with six takeaways that every business leader should be thinking about right now.

1. Shift from a Know-it-all to a Learn-it-all. 

Staying curious beats being the smartest person in the room. Day to day business issues are rapidly evolving and none of us have all the answers. Stay curious and open to change. Have a conversation that stretches your thinking.

2. Customer obsession still wins–full stop.  

Listen to your customers. Solve real problems–consistently. Corporates want to work with small businesses that are nimble, innovative, and prepared. . Small businesses should be prepared to articulate how they are different, the concrete value they deliver, and how they are positively impacting their communities. Overpromising is expensive. Contracts don’t flex just because your business is growing. Understand what you can deliver—and stand behind it. 

3. AI is already shaping procurement decisions.

Sourcing teams are using AI to find and filter vendors. Your digital presence is no longer marketing—it’s infrastructure. Be precise and consistent. Always test yourself: run sourcing tools against your own brand. If you don’t show up, you don’t exist. That said, AI can shortlist, but humans still choose. References, relationships, and outcomes matter.

4. Get your house in order for an exit – early.  

Sarah Noble from Wells Fargo moderated a panel about mergers and acquisitions and encouraged attendees to work with experts to get their business ready for exit.  Buyers reward readiness–and penalize gaps. M&A professionals are seeing meaningful valuation hits when companies aren’t prepared. Programs like WBENC Lift aren’t optional—they’re upside. 

5. Data drives everything—including your brand. 

Melissa Proctor (CMO, Atlanta Hawks) said it best: data is king. But the takeaway goes further—your brand must connect across every touchpoint and remain consistent. Protect your brand elements and take every opportunity to measure impact. If your story isn’t integrated, it’s forgettable. 

6. “I’m everyone’s wing woman.” People still win the room. 

Amy Acompara from Polaris Direct walked the walk at the WBENC conference by offering introductions, insights, and support to fellow WBEs. Business is—and always will be—about people helping people. Be the connector. Be generous with your time and your expertise. 

WBENC 2026: A week of Impact, Community and Action 

The 2026 WBENC National Conference in Salt Lake City made one thing clear: this community doesn’t just connect–it moves. 

From the first session to the final celebration, women-owned businesses, corporate partners, and industry leaders showed up ready to take advantage of the opportunities in front of them. Conversations turned into next steps. Introductions turned into action plans. 

As one attendee put it, the value of WBENC goes “far beyond business opportunities… it’s about the relationships we build, the ideas we exchange, and the community we continue to strengthen together.” 

There wasn’t just energy. There was action. 

A Community Built to Drive Impact 

WBENC continues to set the standard for what a meaningful business community looks like—connection, execution, and impact.

At West Hill, we were proud to be part of a community that prioritizes supporting and doing—not just discussing. 

WBENC’s 2026 theme—IMPACT—showed up everywhere. From programming to Expo conversations to the way attendees showed up for each other with intention. Not as a tagline, but as a standard. 

Leaders reinforced that this network isn’t just about access—it’s about outcomes. As WBENC Co-Chair Janice Bryant Howroyd put it: 

“WBENC is more than a certification; it’s a powerful network that amplifies the voices of women-owned businesses and drives meaningful progress… Together, we unlock opportunities, build partnerships, and inspire growth.” 

That ethos was visible across every room, every session, and every conversation. 

Monday, June 15: Start with Purpose, Build for Impact 

The week opened with a clear directive: act boldly, lead intentionally and build something that lasts. 

The General Session set the tone early–this isn’t about showing up to listen. It’s about showing up and taking action. As a Host Committee member, West Hill joined the Center for Women & Enterprise to bring this that mindset to life—grounded in long-term investment in women entrepreneurs and the ecosystems that support them.  

A few takeaways that stuck: 

• The future of work is already shifting–if we want to stay relevant, we need to prepare for roles that don’t exist yet. Stay curious. 

• We need to continuously update our operating system. The best leaders aren’t “know-it-alls”–they’re “learn-it’alls” 

• Progress requires clarity, but leadership requires comfort with nuance. 

We also got our hands dirty–collaborating on the Acadia-themed Northeast Region poster and “impact journey” bandanas for the National Parks evening event. A reminder that this community builds together, not just alongside each other. 

Bottom line: Impact is intentional. And it starts on day one. 

Tuesday, June 16: Access that Actually Moves the Needle 

Tuesday delivered what WBENC consistently does better than most: real access. 

Corporate Meet & Greets and Industry Labs weren’t just well-attended–they were productive. The difference is simple: this is access to decision-makers who can actually move your business forward. 

This isn’t networking for the sake of it. It’s business development in real time. 

The biggest takeaway: 
When access is paired with preparation and follow-through, it converts. 

This is where strategies get tested, refined and–if you do it right–advanced. 

Wednesday, June 17: Engagement that Creates Opportunity 

Once the Expo floor opened, the energy shifted into full gear. 

The West Hill booth became what we intended it to be: a point of entry. A way to start a conversation, create a connection, and open the door to more substantive conversations about building and protecting innovative businesses.  

And that distinction matters: 

Engagement isn’t the goal. Results are. 

From quick interactions to deeper conversations around growth, tech, and risk, the throughline was consistent–help businesses move faster, smarter, and with more confidence. 

Across the conference, that same pattern held: 

Relationships aren’t built in a single moment. But moments start them. 

Speaker Spotlight:  Leadership in Action 

Keynote Coach Dawn Staley’s message landed: leadership is discipline, accountability and belief–executed consistently at every level of success. Not theory. Practice.  

Other session themes reinforced that same idea: 

• Growth requires action–not just strategy 

• Procurement is evolving into a strategic driver 

• The businesses that move fastest are the ones willing to step into bigger opportunities, earlier  

Translation: execution wins. Keep taking the next step. 

Speaker Spotlight: Ayana Parsons

Rich and Rundown Is Expected. Wealthy and Free Is Not. – Ayana Parsons

What if the biggest thing standing between your business and your wealth is the story you’ve been telling yourself?

In one of our favorite sessions, Ayana Parsons challenged women business owners to rethink the relationship between entrepreneurship, success, and financial freedom. A venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the Fearless Fund, Parsons brought a candid perspective shaped by her own experience building and selling a successful business.

In her session, she explored a provocative idea: many founders know how to build thriving companies, but far fewer know how to build lasting wealth. Parsons encouraged attendees to move beyond being “rich and rundown” and instead envision a future where they are truly “wealthy and free.”

It was an honest conversation about ownership, valuation, succession, and the difference between running a business and a business running you.

“I confused building my business over building wealth. They are not the same. Because growth is important—but freedom is the ultimate goal.”

Thursday, June 18: From Connection to Conversion 

By Thursday, you could feel the shift. 

Conversations went deeper. Follow-ups started happening in real time. “Nice to meet you: turned into “Let’s do this.” 

This is where WBENC stands apart–people come back, reconnect and move things forward quickly. Relationships strengthened. Opportunities became more tangible. 

And the conversations reflected what our clients are living every day: 

• Speed and agility aren’t optional–they’re expected 

• Compliance and risk management aren’t side considerations–you can’t afford to get them wrong 

• AI, data and operational efficiency are no longer future state–they are now 

The takeaway:  

The businesses that win will be the ones that balance growth with discipline–and move without creating unnecessary risk. 

Closing Moments: Momentum That Doesn’t Stop Here 

As the conference wrapped, the focus stayed grounded in what matters most: collective impact. 

Not a theoretical impact. Economic impact. Real businesses driving growth, innovation, and leadership across industries. 

The energy in Salt Lake City wasn’t just celebratory—it was directional. Momentum that continues well beyond the conference. 

The West Hill Takeaway: Impact isn’t passive. It’s Built. 

WBENC 2026 reinforced something we already believe: 

Impact doesn’t happen by showing up. 
It happens when you do something with the room you are in. 

That means: 

• Engaging with intention 

• Following through quickly 

• Turning conversations into action 

That is how we approach our work. And that is why the WBENC community fits.  

We don’t just show up. 
We help businesses move forward. 

Because impact isn’t what you talk about. 
It’s what you build.  

ATTORNEY SPOTLIGHT: Louise Kennedy and Kim Prior join CWE to present Legal Considerations for “Women Owned” Business Certification 

Ready to get Certified as a Women-Owned business? The WBENC application can be daunting – we can help you navigate it. West Hill attorneys Louise Kennedy and Kim Prior join the Center for Woman and Enterprise (CWE) for a live webinar on Legal Considerations for “Women-Owned” Business Certification.  The webinars will live on June 8^th, and on July 13^th with CWE Board Member (and attorney) Deb Thomas and August 7^th with CWE Certifications Manager, Meghan Cunningham,

Sign up for the Live Webinar Today

Join this webinar for an overview of the process and criteria for obtaining WBE/WOSB certification. The process is much easier when you know what materials are required before you begin. 

A common reason that applications for WBENC certification are delayed or denied, is that the owner does not have the proper documentation about their business entity. Join us for an overview of the process and criteria for obtaining WBE/WOSB certification, including an explanation of the supporting materials that must be submitted for different business types. This is a live webinar and you will be able to ask the attorneys questions. 

“As a WBENC-certified woman-owned business, we know the benefits of certification.  The networking, education, and business development opportunities are unrivaled. But we also appreciate the challenges of pulling together the right documents for your application and renewal submissions.  We look forward to demystifying this process for woman-owned businesses with CWE.” 

Sign up today at the following links:  June 8^th, July 13^th and August 7^th.  

About CWE:

Established in 1995, the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a non-profit organization that  empowers women to launch and grow their business – so they in turn can drive economic growth, lift up their communities, and create a more equitable world.  CWE also operates the Veterans Business Outreach Center of New England (VBOC of NE) that equips veteran and active duty service members and their families with the resources to help them start and run their businesses.  

To learn more about CWE visit, www.CWEonline.org.  Find CWE on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CenterforWomenandEnterprise , Instagram at www.Instagram.com/CWETalk , Twitter at www.twitter.com/CWETalk , and LinkedIn, Friends of Center for Women & Enterprise.  

About West Hill:

West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing pro-active, practical legal advice to help solve problems before they arise. Our clients are new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core part of their business model.