It’s Time to Level Set and Lead
WBEC Metro NY Women MEAN Business Summit
Friday, March 6, 2026
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Registration begins at 8:15am
The Westin NY Grand Central
212 East 42nd Street
New York, NY 10017
The Strength of Synergy
The Women MEAN Business Summit is a one-day, in-person experience for women business owners seeking clarity on what matters right now and what's coming next.
Through expert-led programming and intentional peer networking the Summit focuses on growth, visibility, and opportunity you can act on immediately to move your business forward.
This year’s Women MEAN Business Summit is focused on the strength of Synergy, bringing together the timely, relevant information you need right now, from partnership strategy and brand alignment to AI advancement and long-term planning. Through panels and hands-on breakout sessions, the day is designed to help you turn information into action and networking into lasting relationships.
Is the Women MEAN Business Summit right for me?
This Summit is open to women business owners across the region from all industries and current stages of growth.
It’s designed for those who are:
- Leading product-or service-based businesses
- Actively building, growing, or scaling your business
- Seeking real-time insight into today’s local and federal business landscape
- Ready for meaningful connections and practical, actionable learning
Synergy In Action
At the Summit, you'll hear from leaders from across the WBEC Metro NY ecosystem who are actively shaping the current business landscape.
You’ll walk away with:
- Clarity on current local and federal business dynamics and what they mean for your business.
- Practical strategies to strengthen partnerships that drive revenue, access, and influence.
- Insight into navigating growth at different stages, from early wins to sustainable scale.
- Guidance on adjusting your business strategy from leaders who are actively responding to today’s market conditions.
- Intentional networking with peers, partners, and decision-makers.
Join Our Marketplace
Come prepared to show off and sell.
More than just a table, the Marketplace is an opportunity for both service- and product-based WBEs to gain visibility, make connections, get instant feedback, and do business in a highly engaged environment.
What's new this year:
- Prime Location: Positioned in the center of the action to maximize foot traffic.
- Extended Hours: The flexibility to stay open throughout the full program schedule.
- Competitive Pricing: Adjusted pricing to make participation more accessible.
How you’ll benefit:
- Meet your people: Connect with buyers, partners, and other women business owners who want to learn about your business and explore opportunities.
- Signal your readiness: Reinforce credibility within the trusted WBEC NY DMV ecosystem.
- Build lasting relationships: Engage in meaningful conversations that lead to honest feedback, stronger positioning, and future referrals.
Here’s what previous Marketplace participants had to say about their experience:
Connecting with past customers and introducing the brand to new ones was such a special opportunity!
Laine Martin, Certified WBE, Mestiza
[A highlight for me] was meeting customers who purchased last year and wanted to buy more this year!
Carrie Sporer, Certified WBE, SWAIR
Please Note:
- Per hotel policy, no outside food or beverage items that are part of the Marketplace may be consumed in the hotel, and no outside alcohol is permitted on property.
- Secure your Marketplace spot by purchasing a Marketplace ticket. (Full Summit event ticket included in price.)
Synergize your Strategy: Programming Overview
Morning Main Sessions:
Welcome: Strength of Synergy
WBEC NY DMV Chief Operating Officer, Leandra Joseph, will speak to the current state of today’s business environment and how WBEC NY DMV remains a constant partner as you navigate what’s next, grounding the day in shared purpose and forward momentum.
Power Panel: Synergistic Collaboration
A candid conversation with regional ecosystem leaders on what's happening right now and how to plug into partnerships that actually move revenue, access, and influence. Expect practical insights and takeaways you can immediately put to work in your business.
Know Before You Grow Panel: Recentering Your Path
Learn from community and network partners on what’s shifting in the federal and local landscape, what’s staying the same, and how to adjust your business strategy with intention. Gain a clearer view of emerging themes and considerations to guide your planning for the year ahead.
Synergize Your Business Journey Panel: Launch to Legacy
Hear directly from fellow WBEs across industries in a stage-based, real-world growth conversation. Our 2025 WBE Suppliers of the Year share how they’ve moved from winning early opportunities to building systems, scale, and staying power.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions:
Live Capability Pitch Panel Feedback
Come prepared to deliver a short capability pitch and receive instant, structured feedback from an expert panel. This session is for you if you want to clarify your value and improve readiness for future pitch opportunities. (Runs two times; Limited spaces available.)
Harness AI to Fuel Growth
Learn practical, actionable ways to use AI to meet the real-world needs of women business owners. This hands-on session will show you how to use AI to save time, strengthen marketing and sales, improve proposals, and build smarter workflows that support growth without burning you out.
From Certified to Celebrated: How to Turn Your WBE Status into Strategic Visibility
Your certification proves you qualify. Your brand is what makes buyers remember you. Most WBEs have strong capabilities but unclear messaging; they sound like everyone else, show up inconsistently, and leave buyers guessing what makes them different. This session breaks down how to build a brand with clear differentiation, consistent messaging, and strategic visibility so the right opportunities find you. You'll leave with a framework to define what makes you different and a plan to show up with clarity and confidence.
Speakers and additional breakout sessions will be announced soon.
Afternoon at a Glance:
Networking and Marketplace Browsing
Use this time to continue conversations sparked throughout the day, explore the Marketplace, and identify opportunities to work with each other. This is a dedicated space to discover aligned businesses, explore potential partnerships, and expand your network in ways that support long-term growth.
Closing Main Session: Synergize your Next Steps
We’ll wind down and bring the day together by highlighting key insights and shared takeaways from across the Summit. You’ll have the opportunity to reflect on what stood out, identify practical next steps, and connect those actions to WBEC NY DMV programs, resources, and opportunities available to you.
The day will wrap up with a drawing for some exclusive prizes you won’t want to miss!
What's included with your registration
Your Summit registration includes everything you need for a focused day of learning and connection.
Included in your ticket:
- Grab-and-go breakfast (available beginning at 8:15am, during registration)
- Buffet Lunch
- Afternoon Snacks
- Beverages available throughout the day
- Access to all Summit sessions, programming, networking, and the Marketplace
- Marketplace tickets include everything above
Registration
Maximize the value of your time at the Summit.
Choose the ticket that works best for you.
Summit Tickets
Certified WBE: $249
Non-Certified WBE: $309
Corporate Sponsor: $375
Summit Tickets
(includes full Summit access)
Certified WBE: $399 per table; $99 for an additional attendee
Non-Certified WBE: $499 per table; $149 for an additional attendee
Secure your spot and stay tuned for more announcements coming soon!