In general, members are large procurement organizations committed to:
• Supporting and promoting WEConnect International’s vision and mission
• Designating a senior representative as a point of contact for WEConnect International
• Actively participating in WEConnect International activities, including committees, where applicable
• Refraining from sharing or using any information from the WECommunity for any purpose other than the sourcing of goods and services from women-owned businesses
• Paying the WEConnect International annual membership fee
Global, Regional and Market Membership Requirements:
• Have a global/regional/local supplier diversity effort in-place, or demonstrate plans to initiate a gender inclusive sourcing effort
• Promote business opportunities with women-owned business certified by WEConnect International
• Track and report purchases from women’s business enterprises, as total spend and as a percentage of total spend, on an annual basis
WEConnect International offers four types of membership: Global Membership, Regional Membership, Market Membership and Associate Membership.
Global Membership is for large buying organizations looking to work in multiple countries/markets with inclusive sourcing efforts. Global Membership starts at US$15,000 per year and includes the following benefits:
• WECommunity global database in of women-owned businesses in more than 120 countries
• Tools to identify women-owned suppliers and share contract opportunities
• Access to information on doing business in key markets and monthly member calls
sharing global best practices in interactive discussions
• Member training on global supplier diversity and inclusion and strategic planning support
• Benchmarking against world-class supplier diversity and inclusion efforts
• Network support in over 45 countries for RFI/RFQ/RFP opportunities
• Participation in national WEConnect International conferences and Meet the Member events in key markets
• Meeting with private and public sector leaders at matchmaking events and educational sessions
• Brand promotion on your global supplier diversity and inclusion efforts
• Snapshots of impact on communities including contracts awarded and jobs created
Regional Membership is for large buying organizations looking to work in a specific region with inclusive sourcing efforts. Regional Membership starts at US$10,000 per year and includes the following benefits:
• One WECommunity regional database in of women-owned businesses
• Tools to identify women-owned suppliers and share contract opportunities
• Access to information on doing business in the region and member calls,
sharing global best practices in interactive discussions
• Information and support with global supplier diversity and inclusion and strategic planning
• Benchmarking against world-class supplier diversity and inclusion efforts
• Network support in the region for RFI/RFQ/RFP opportunities
• Participation in regional WEConnect International conferences and Meet the Member events within the region Meeting with private and public sector leaders at matchmaking events and educational sessions Brand promotion on your global supplier diversity and inclusion efforts Snapshots of impact on communities including contracts awarded and jobs created
Market Membership is for corporations or government entities looking to work in specific countries/markets with inclusive sourcing efforts. Market Membership starts at $5,000 USD per year and includes the following benefits:
Associate Membership is available for either Global or Market membership levels, providing access to member calls, events and resources without access to the E-Community or the Global and Market Membership Requirements. Associate Global Membership is US$10,000 per year and the Associate Market Membership is US$5,000 per year.
Seats on Advisory Councils are associated with higher Global Membership levels (Plus 1, Plus 5, Plus 10 and Plus 15). These higher levels allow corporate members to sit on up to 15 Advisory Councils in the market of their choosing. It is a non-governing body designed to provide guidance and support to WEConnect International in the target market for member and women-owned business development. Participation in Advisory Councils provides members with greater access to resources, networking, and in-country support. The Advisory Councils convene remotely via conference calls on regular intervals.
Tier 2 suppliers are not able to receive benefits or access to the WEConnect International database and are required to apply as a member having agreed to the membership requirements.
All attendees must purchase tickets to WEConnect International events that charge for registration. Companies that sponsor an event can receive a specific number of tickets included in the sponsorship package.
Although WBENC and WEConnect International are partner organizations, they are separate 501(c)3 entities with separate membership rates and benefits.