About Buyer Membership
WEConnect International members are large organizations committed to global supplier diversity and inclusion that help build sustainable communities by sourcing from women-owned businesses around the globe.
Why Buy From Women?
What WE Know About Women in the Economy
The real drivers of the economy are women —as business leaders, employees, consumers, and entrepreneurs. Investing in women can yield a significant boost in economic growth, otherwise known as “the gender dividend.” When women are made the focus in business decisions, communities will thrive.
Know the Stats
One-third of all privately owned businesses in the world are owned by women, yet women-owned businesses earn less than 1% of large corporate and government spend with suppliers
- Globally, the average woman only makes 76 cents for every dollar made by men
Globally, women control $20 trillion in annual consumer spending and make over 85% of consumer purchasing decisions
- Implementing full economic gender parity could add $526 billion to the GDP of Japan and more than $1.2 trillion to that of the United States.
- When we provide access for women-owned businesses to competitively bid for procurement opportunities and invest in their growth, not only do we identify all of the best and most innovative suppliers, we also support inclusive and sustainable growth
- More than 95% of consumers live outside of the U.S.
Current Member Buyers
Membership Benefits
WEConnect International provides members with the global database and resources required to develop and leverage a diverse and inclusive global value chain.
Business Growth
A ‘one-stop’, reliable and cost-effective way to identify women-owned businesses in 120+ countries and access WEConnect International certified women-owned suppliers in 46 countries.
Risk Management
Assistance in mitigating risk and validating reported efforts to spend with women-owned suppliers that meet the global criteria for 51 percent owned, operated and controlled.
Global Innovation
Access to cost-savings and innovative services through increased competition with suppliers that mirror your diverse customer base.
Vendor Development
Efficient, in-person and virtual networking opportunities to identify 10,000+ women-owned businesses through the WECommunity database and other global and local events.
Knowledge Exchange
A platform to engage employees through training and educational programs for women business owners to enhance their capacity to supply to corporations, increase their market value and reduce risk to potential buyers.
Brand Enhancement
Ongoing opportunities to amplify inclusive sourcing efforts and increase the visibility of your company through global and local media channels available to WEConnect International.
Leader Management
Access to the world’s largest network of leading experts and resources on best practices of supplier diversity and inclusive sourcing programs.
Global Impact
Opportunities to set your company apart from competitors in CSR/ESG efforts and demonstrate a commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, specifically goal #5 of Gender Equality and #17 of Partnerships for the Goals.
Top 10 Global Champions for SD&I
This ranking is made up of the some of the world’s largest corporations that have demonstrated their commitment to global inclusive sourcing, including minority, women, LGBT and disabled-owned businesses around the globe.
Have More Questions?
View Benefits FAQsTypes of Buyer Memberships
global member
Plus 15
ANNUAL FEE
US $35,000
Seat on up to 15 National Advisory Councils (based on availability)
Access to Global Database
global member
Plus 10
ANNUAL FEE
US $30,000
Seat on up to 10 National Advisory Councils (based on availability)
Access to Global Database
global member
Plus 5
ANNUAL FEE
US $25,000
Seat on up to 5 National Advisory Councils (based on availability)
Access to Global Database
global member
Plus 1
ANNUAL FEE
US $20,000
Seat on 1 National Advisory Council (based on availability)
Access to Global Database
global member
ANNUAL FEE
US $15,000
No seats on the National Advisory Councils
Access to Global Database
Global
Associate Member
ANNUAL FEE
US $10,000
Access to monthly member calls, best practices
Region
Plus 1
ANNUAL FEE
US $15,000
Seat on 1 National Advisory Council (based on availability)
Region
ANNUAL FEE
US $10,000
Access to regional monthly calls, best member calls, best practices
Market
Plus 1
ANNUAL FEE
US $10,000
Seat on 1 National Advisory Council (based on availability)
advisory councils
Advisory Council Membership is at an enhanced level, designed to provide guidance and support to WEConnect International in the target market for member and women’s business enterprise development, as well as external advocacy, and provides members with greater access to resources, networking and support.
We currently have Advisory Councils active in the following markets:
- Asia Pacific (Regional)
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Europe (Regional)
- India
- Japan
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Turkey
Desired Member Profiles
Corporate member representatives with qualifying global or local membership who are passionate about empowering women to build sustainable communities through business development. For more information, please contact Michael Tobolski.
Current Member Buyer Testimonials
“Accenture is proud to be a co-founder of WEConnect International, whom we are actively helping expand worldwide. WEConnect International empowers women to succeed in global markets by convening corporations and women-owned businesses to spur innovation and inclusion in global supply chains, generate more sustainable business models, and promote faster socio-economic advancement.”
KAI NOWOSEL
CHIEF PROCUREMENT OFFICER
“WEConnect International has been instrumental in the diversification of our global supply chain by helping us to explore opportunities with qualified women-owned businesses globally.”
DOMINICA GROOM
Director, Global Supplier Diversity, Marriott International
“Walmart is focused on leveraging our size and scale to empower women across the globe. We believe increasing sourcing from women-owned businesses is the right thing to do and will make us a better retailer by providing more products and services which align to the needs of our customers. WEConnect International helps us identify women-owned businesses for our global supply chain.”
JENNY GRIESER
Senior Director, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Walmart
IBM is a founding member of WEConnect International and we’ve remained a member. We did this because we believe in their expertise in identifying and certifying women-owned businesses, external to the U.S., who can provide value to our supply chain.”
MICHAEL K. ROBINSON
ISC Program Director, Global Supplier Diversity and Supplier Connection, IBM
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