Women MEAN Business DMV Summit: Let's Keep the Momentum Going!
On March 21, 2025, WBEC Greater DMV hosted the highly anticipated annual Women MEAN Business Summit at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland. The event brought together WBEs, corporate members, and industry leaders from the DMV region for a full day of networking, strategic matchmaking, business insights, and a vibrant marketplace showcasing WBE products and services.
The main focus of this year’s summits, though, was how WBEs can adapt to the evolving business landscape we are witnessing – from business growth and strategic partnerships to seizing opportunities in an evolving economy.
Key Panels and Speaker Insights
The DMV Summit featured impactful discussions led by industry experts, including:
Harnessing Synergy of WBEs in WBEC Greater DMV
Our President and CEO, Phala Mire, moderated a dynamic discussion between Kristina Bouweiri, Reston Limousine, and Carolyn Howell, Events USA, on how WBEs in the Greater DMV region, specifically, can harness each others’ energy to push toward mutual success. The conversation highlighted WBENC certification as a “hunting license,” as well as the power of collaboration, shared resources, generosity without expectations, and strategic partnerships in fostering growth and resilience.
The key takeaway was that people do business with who they know, trust, and like: by leveraging our collective strengths, women-owned businesses can (and should!) create new opportunities, expand our networks, and support each other to drive innovation in each of our respective industries.
B2B Networking and Roundtables
The Summit then facilitated small roundtable group discussions on various topics, as well as networking sessions. These interactive sessions provided a platform for meaningful conversations, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices.
Attendees had the opportunity to forge valuable connections, explore potential collaborations, and gain insights from industry peers, with the goal of fostering an even stronger and more connected business community.
Doing Business with MGM
A perk of this Summit’s venue was that a discussion on how WBEs can approach doing business with the renowned MGM National Harbor, offering exclusive insights into how to land procurement opportunities and initiate business partnerships. Attendees gained valuable knowledge about MGM’s supplier diversity initiatives, key procurement processes, and strategies for positioning their businesses as competitive vendors.
The session also provided firsthand advice from MGM representatives Tobias Thornwell (Regional Director of Global Business Diversity), Deborah Robinson (Procurement Manager), and LaVonia Smith-Carter (Strategic Sourcing Partner), equipping WBEs with the tools and connections needed to successfully navigate corporate contracting opportunities.
Navigating the Changing Economic Landscape
Just like at the NY Summit, navigating the changing economic landscape we find ourselves in also took center stage. These are testing times for WBEs, especially those who are also from historically marginalized communities on top of being women. However, by standing united and supporting each other in any way we can, we can overcome these escalating barriers and continue to thrive.
This session highlighted that to do so, we must know our numbers and track our progress, ensuring we stay grounded in data and facts. Participants explored how important it is to know what is going on around us, because those who are alert and informed are best positioned to seize opportunities. Additionally, rather than chasing every new trend or shiny object, it is more effective to find our bright spot—what’s working—and build from there.
Recommendations also included that we must learn from our mistakes, pressure test our ideas, and seek information and insights from others to refine our strategies. And finally, a word of caution was to beware of secondary market money, no matter how tempting it may seem.
Stay Connected with WBEC Greater DMV
The Women MEAN Business Summits may be over for this year, but together, we can ensure that the momentum continues. Whether or not we got to welcome you in person this time, stay engaged with WBEC Greater DMV by attending upcoming events, joining mentorship programs, and leveraging the vast network of corporate partners and fellow entrepreneurs.
Let’s keep the conversation going and continue building a thriving community of women business leaders. Follow WBEC Metro DMV for more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and grow!
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