WBEC South to host event

A non-profit organization that provides certification to women-owned businesses is hosting a luncheon workshop Jan. 15 to share how its stamp of approval can be used as leverage when marketing their business to Fortune 500 companies.

The Women’s Business Enterprise Council South – WBEC South – will hold the workshop, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Petroleum Club, 500 Roderick St., in Morgan City.

Houma resident Blanca Robinson, who is president of the organization, said the purpose of the program is to show how to use WBEC South’s certification to grow contracting opportunities with corporations seeking to do business women-controlled operations.

The luncheon is open to the public. Cost is $20, and registration can be made online at www.wbecsouth.org/morgancity.

Robinson said a speaker’s panel – Jill Bordelon, a supply chain senior business process analyst with Halliburton; Yvette Archuleta-Tudury, president of Vast Industries; and Lori David, president of RIG-CHEM and a founding member of WBEC South – will discuss how WBEC’s certification has helped to garner trade.

“Within our organization, we have women who own businesses in every scope in size and in every industry you can think of. They’re in the legal profession, in architectural firms and in demolition – you name it, we have it all, especially in non-traditional female roles,” Robinson said.

“Women are a definite force to be reckoned with. Within our organization, we have a little over 600 members who collectively have resumes in excess of $5 billion, and they employ in excess of 38,000 people. Our organization will help you level the playing field when doing business.”

Robinson said WBEC South, an 18-year-old 501c3 organization, is a regional partner organization of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and represents numerous corporate members and women’s business enterprises throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and the Florida Panhandle.

“Women have made strides in business. We provide a lot of economic growth and we contribute a lot to the economy nationally,” Robinson added. “Often times, women are perceived as not being the head of their businesses, and are overlooked because a company has been doing a business with Joe Smith for years, and no one wants to change. But times are changing and, if given the opportunity, our companies rise to the top.”

St. Mary Parish Chamber of Commerce President Donna Meyer also spoke in support of the event.

“This event is going to be a great way to open the doors for all types of business, first-class networking with other professional women,” she said. “It’s going to be great resource for women in the Tri-parish area.”

For more information, contact the WBEC South office (504) 830-0149 or email info@wbecsouth.org.