1. Building Opportunity for Texas Women Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance Serving women-owned businesses in 94 Texas counties

2. WBEA Mission To increase business opportunities for women-owned businesses and provide qualified suppliers to buyers.

3. About the Organization WBEA is a nationally-recognized purchasing council  A 501 (c) 3, headquartered in Houston WBEA Membership  500 Certified WBEA WBEs  100 Corporate members WBEA works to increase business opportunities for WBEs in 94 South Texas counties

4. Serving women-owned businesses in 94 Texas counties WBEA Service Area

5. WBEA: WBENC National Affiliate WBEA utilizes national certification standards and procedures to certify a business as a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE)  WBEA is a certification partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

6. WBENC provides certification standards and procedures for which WBEA certifies WBEs WBENC trains staff and certification committees members WBENC conducts annual on-site reviews of its 13 other national affiliates What is WBENC?

7.  Certification standards identify bona-fide WBES  WBEA Certification assures that appropriate programs benefit the intended constituencies.  Standardized procedures help corporations confidently award contracts  WBE certification simplifies reporting of WBE dollar spend and utilization data WHY GET CERTIFIED? Corporations depend on it!

8. Independent business  No exclusive agreements 51% ownership, management and control Background, experience, and technical competence/working knowledge U.S. Citizen(s) or Legal Resident Alien(s) WHO CAN BE A CERTIFIED WBE?

9. 1.Submit a complete and notarized application and affidavit 2.Desk audit performed 3.Application is submitted to Certification Committee 4.Certification Committee reviews application CERTIFICATION: 7 SIMPLE STEPS

10. 5.An on-site interview is conducted 6.Certification Committee either approves or denies application 7.Executive Director makes final decision and informs applicant  If denied, applicant has two opportunities for appeal CERTIFICATION: 7 SIMPLE STEPS

11. Mentoring Program ChevronTexaco 2 nd Friday Educational Seminars Executive Scholarship Program “Keys to Success” Luncheons and Trade Fairs Business Opportunity Breakfasts Email RFPs, RFQs, etc. BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

12. Suppliers Guide (online, on disk, email) Buyers Guide (disk, email) Annual Women’s Business Opportunity Expo Annual Awards Program WBEA Website (www.wbea-texas.org) Suppliers to Buyers Link

13. HOW DO VENDORS FIND YOU? WBE Sourcing www. wbea-texas.org  Click on Certified WBE’s  Search by Product/Service Category SIC/NAICS Code Company Name Key Word www.wbenc.org

14. BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS Join the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance  Get Certified Get involved in committees Attend events

15. 2004 Events Business Opportunities Breakfast  March 3, August 26, October28 Quarterly Luncheons  February 19, June 17, November 18 Annual WBE Business Opportunity Expo  May 12-13 @ Reliant Center Golf Tournament  October 11, Wild Cat Golf Tournament

16. Danielle Vara-Aleman Marketing Coordinator 713-681-WBEA, x13 dvara@wbea-texas.org Susan Repka Certification Manager 713-681-9232 x11 srepka@wbea-texas.org Contact Us

17. Business Is Looking Up For Texas Women Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance Building Opportunity for Texas Women 713-681-WBEA or www.wbea-texas.org