Pitch to Win: How to Secure Contracts, Opportunities, and Close Bigger Deals

Hosted by WBEC-West | Reno Forum

Date:

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Time:

8:30 AM – 12:00 PM Pacific Time
(Program begins at 9:00 AM)

Location:

Atlantis Hotel
3800 S. Virginia St.
Reno, NV 89502

Registration Details

$35 for WBENC Certified WBEs
$50 for Non-Certified

This is an in-person event. Registration is required.

EVENT OVERVIEW

Join the WBEC-West Reno Forum for a high-impact experience designed to connect women-owned businesses directly with corporate and government agencies.

This event goes beyond traditional networking. It is built to help you refine your pitch, strengthen how you communicate your value, and position your business for real opportunities.

You will receive targeted training and practical guidance to help you present your business with clarity and confidence.  After this training, listen to a WBE Success Panel, featuring insights from successful WBEs who have secured corporate and government contracts, followed by a panel of representatives from both the public and private sector.

Participate in putting your training into practice during pitch roundtables with peers, followed by a fast pitch competition.  Support certified WBE firms as they take the stage to pitch their products and services to a panel of judges.

After the program, you will have the opportunity to engage directly with other business owners and corporate and agency representatives, gaining visibility and real-time interaction that can open doors for your business.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

• WBENC Certified WBEs ready to pitch and grow
• Women-owned businesses seeking contract opportunities
• Entrepreneurs looking to strengthen their pitch and positioning
• Businesses interested in direct access to corporate decision-makers

THE CHALLENGE THIS EVENT HELPS SOLVE

Many women-owned businesses face barriers when trying to secure contracts and grow within corporate supply chains.

This includes:

• Limited access to corporate buyers
• Difficulty clearly communicating their value
• Lack of visibility in competitive markets
• Uncertainty about how to move from connection to contract

This event is designed to bridge that gap by combining preparation, visibility, and direct connection in one space.

WHAT YOU’LL GAIN

• Practical strategies to refine and strengthen your pitch
• Direct engagement with corporate partners and decision-makers
• Increased visibility for your business
• Insight from successful WBEs who have navigated supplier diversity and corporate growth
• Meaningful connections with both WBEs and corporate representatives

EVENT PARTICIPANTS

Workshop Leader: Alice Heiman, Sales Task Force

WBE Success Panel: Featuring successful WBEs sharing real-world insights and strategies

• Moderator: Karyn Jensen, MS, SPHR, SHRM – SCP, Founder, HRC, Ltd.
• Renee Krieg, Founder and CEO, Vertical Athletics
• Kelly Spallone, President, Tahoe Supply Company
• Monica Coburn, Founder, Nevada Business Advisors and Nevada Business Loans (subject to change)

Corporate and Government Agency Panel: Featuring representatives from the public and private sector including:

• BCN Purchasing (Desert Research Institute, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College, University of Nevada, Reno and Western Nevada College)
• Southwest Gas
• Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority
• Truckee Meadows Water Authority

SPONSORS

• BMO
• Martin Harris Construction
• Tahoe Supply Company
• Southwest Gas

AGENDA 

8:30 am    Doors Open, Check In and Networking (continental breakfast)

9:00 am    Program Begins

9:15 am    Pitch Workshop

9:45 am    WBE Success Panel

10:20 am   Corporate and Government Agency Panel

11:00 am      Pitch Roundtables

11:30 am      Fast Pitch Competition

12:00 pm      Program Ends and Networking Begins (Networking Optional)   

1:00 pm        Networking Wrap Up

CONTACT

For questions, please contact:[email protected]