2024 Catch the Wave Awards

WBE

WBE Done Deals Awards 

The Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) Done Deals Award recognizes the WBE with the highest spend over the last 12-month reporting cycle with the highest number of WBENC certified WBEs that have been certified by WBENC. 

 

WBE Advocate of the Year Award 

The WBE Advocate of the Year Award recognizes a WBE owner or employee who demonstrates extraordinary efforts in inspiring, engaging, and empowering women-owned businesses. This individual will be recognized and honored for her mentoring, coaching, and supporting of women-owned businesses.  

 

WBE Rising Star 

The WBE Rising Star Award recognizes a certified WBE who has demonstrated the highest degree of support for and involvement with WBEC ORV and plans to continue engagement into the future.  

 

 

Corporate

Done Deals Awards 

The Corporate Done Deals Award will be given to recognize the WBEC ORV national and regional council member having the highest spend with the highest number of WBE firms over the last 12-month fiscal year reporting cycle with WBENC certified women business enterprises that have been certified by WBEC ORV.     

 

Buyer of the Year Award  

The Buyer of the Year Award recognizes a buyer employed by a Corporate Member who ensures WBEs are included in bid opportunities in their company’s procurement process and increases opportunities for WBEs.  

 

Partner of the Year Award 

This honor is awarded to one WBEC ORV Corporate Member who has been instrumental in the ORV's successful achievement of its annual goals. 

 

Corporate Advocate of the Year Award

This honor is awarded to an employee of a WBEC ORV corporate or government member in good standing who has done the most to promote business opportunities for WBENC-certified WBEs. This individual has provided exceptional support to women business enterprises and demonstrated leadership in the promotion and utilization of WBENC-certified WBEs. 

 

Click the links below to apply for our awards

Corporate Done Deals Application Guide

The Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV) acknowledges and celebrates business transactions between ORV Corporate Members and WBENC-Certified women business enterprises (WBEs) through its Done Deals program. This initiative measures WBEC ORV’s impact on increasing contracts between WBEs and Corporate Members.

Awards are based on activities from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. A Done Deal is defined as any business transaction over $250 signed between WBEC ORV Members during this period, with final goods or services potentially delivered at a later date.

The "spend" in the context of the WBEC ORV Done Deals Application refers to the amount of money that corporations and other entities invest in contracts and business deals with Women Business Enterprises (WBEs). This metric is crucial for tracking and reporting the financial impact and success of partnerships facilitated through the WBEC ORV network.

Organizations reporting the most Done Deals will receive high honors and visibility at the Catch the Wave event, taking place from August 26 to 28, 2024. Completed questionnaires are due by July 26, 2024.

The Reporters Contact Information section in the Done Deals Award Application collects essential details about the individual submitting or reporting on the completed business transaction between a corporation and a Women Business Enterprise (WBE).

  • Organization Name
  • Contact Name (First Name, Last Name)
  • Email
  • Phone Number

In the Organization Details section of the Done Deals Award Application, you will provide essential information about your business to help us understand its structure, mission, and eligibility for the award.

  • Industry:  Select the primary Industry of the organization.
  • Membership Category:  Provide your organization membership level. (select all that apply)
  • Regional Member: Select if a member of WBEC ORV only
  • National Member:  Select if a National Member of WBENC
  • Organization Type:  Select your organization type

Supplier Diversity Statement:  Please share your organization’s Supplier Diversity statement if one exists. This information will help judges understand your organization’s stated commitment to supply chain and/or economic inclusion practices.

  • How long has your organization had an established supplier diversity program?
  • How many Full -Time Equivalent (FTE)s does you have within your Supplier Diversity program?
  • Does your organization’s contracts contain supplier diversity and tier 2 language?
  • Does your organization have a set-aside program for small and diverse suppliers?
  • Does your organization offer financial incentives to small and diverse suppliers?
  • Does your organization require third-party certification?
  • Does your organization incorporate D&I metrics in their employee incentive compensation programs?
  • How often does your Board of Directors Review Supplier Diversity Metrics?
  • Does your organization have an advisory board?
  • Does your organization have an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Program?
  • What types of supplier development opportunities/programming does your organization offer to WBE suppliers upon obtaining a contract with your organization? 
  • How many women are on your Board of Directors?
  • Does your organization have a Women’s Employee Resource Group?

The WBE Spend section of the Done Deals Award Application focuses on capturing and reporting the financial transactions between corporations and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs). This section is crucial for showcasing the economic impact and success of supplier diversity initiatives facilitated by organizations like WBEC ORV.

  • What is your organization’s total dollar spend with WBENC certified WBEs?
  • What is your organization’s total dollar spend with WBEC ORV certified WBEs
  • Compared to your firm’s overall purchases, what is your organization’s percentage of spend with WBEC ORV certified WBEs?
  • How many contracts does your organization have with WBEC ORV certified WBEs?
  • What is the actual dollar value of these contracts?
  • What is the average length/duration of these contracts (ie. 1 yr, 2 yrs, 3 yrs, etc.)?
  • How many new supplier contracts with WBEC ORV certified WBEs were signed in 2023?
  • How many supplier contracts with WBEC ORV certified WBEs were renewed in 2023?
  • What was the percentage % increase or decrease over the number of contracts with WBEC ORV certified WBEs in 2023?
  • What else should the committee know that can't be captured by a standard application form?
  • Corporate Member:  An organization that is a paid member of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV).  The organization actively supports inclusion and diversity and is committed to doing business with women-owned businesses (WBEs) and contribute not only financially but also through expertise and resources. The organization may be for profit, a government agency or a nonprofit
  • WBENC-Certified Women Business:  Is a company that has been officially certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as being at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. This certification is recognized as the gold standard for women-owned businesses and involves a thorough review and site inspection process to ensure that the business meets WBENC's rigorous standards.
  • ORV WBE:  Refers to Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) that are part of the Ohio River Valley (ORV) region and are certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The ORV region includes the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. These businesses are part of the WBEC ORV, a regional partner organization of WBENC, which supports, promotes, and advocates for women-owned businesses in this area.

WBE Done Deals Application Guide

The Women’s Business Enterprise Council Ohio River Valley (WBEC ORV) acknowledges and celebrates business transactions between ORV Corporate Members and WBENC-Certified women business enterprises (WBEs) through its Done Deals program. This initiative measures WBEC ORV’s impact on increasing contracts between WBEs and Corporate Members.

Awards are based on activities from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023. A Done Deal is defined as any business transaction over $250 signed between WBEC ORV Members during this period, with final goods or services potentially delivered at a later date.

The "spend" in the context of the WBEC ORV Done Deals Application refers to the amount of money that corporations and other entities invest in contracts and business deals with Women Business Enterprises (WBEs). This metric is crucial for tracking and reporting the financial impact and success of partnerships facilitated through the WBEC ORV network.

Organizations reporting the most Done Deals will receive high honors and visibility at the Catch the Wave event, taking place from August 26 to 28, 2024. Completed questionnaires are due by July 26, 2024.

The Reporters Contact Information section in the Done Deals Award Application collects essential details about the individual submitting or reporting on the completed business transaction between a corporation and a Women Business Enterprise (WBE).

  • Organization Name
  • Contact Name (First Name, Last Name)
  • Email
  • Phone Number

In the Organization Details section of the Done Deals Award Application, you will provide essential information about your business to help us understand its structure, mission, and eligibility for the award.

 

  • Industry:  Select the primary Industry of the organization.
  • Revenue Category:  Provide your revenue level. 
    • Under $1 million: $350
    • $1M < $5M: $500
    • $5M < $10M: $750
    • $10M < $50M: $1,000
    • $50M+: $1,250

Supplier Diversity Statement:  Please share your organization’s Supplier Diversity statement if one exists. This information will help judges understand your organization’s stated commitment to supply chain and/or economic inclusion practices.

  • Does your organization have a Supplier Diversity Program?
  • Supplier Diversity Statement:  Please share your organization’s Supplier Diversity statement if one exists. This information will help judges understand your organization’s stated commitment to supply chain and/or economic inclusion practices.
  • How long has your organization had an established supplier diversity program?
  • Provide an overview of your organization's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) efforts?

The WBE Spend section of the Done Deals Award Application focuses on capturing and reporting the financial transactions between corporations and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs). This section is crucial for showcasing the economic impact and success of supplier diversity initiatives facilitated by organizations like WBEC ORV.

  • What is your organization’s total dollar spend with WBENC certified WBEs?
  • What is your organization’s total dollar spend with WBEC ORV certified WBEs
  • Compared to your firm’s overall purchases, what is your organization’s percentage of spend with WBEC ORV certified WBEs?
  • How many contracts does your organization have with WBEC ORV certified WBEs?
  • What is the actual dollar value of these contracts?
  • What is the average length/duration of these contracts (ie. 1 yr, 2 yrs, 3 yrs, etc.)?
  • How many new supplier contracts with WBEC ORV certified WBEs were signed in 2023?
  • How many supplier contracts with WBEC ORV certified WBEs were renewed in 2023?
  • What was the percentage % increase or decrease over the number of contracts with WBEC ORV certified WBEs in 2023?
  • What else should the committee know that can't be captured by a standard application form?

 

  • WBENC-Certified Women Business:  Is a company that has been officially certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as being at least 51% owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women. This certification is recognized as the gold standard for women-owned businesses and involves a thorough review and site inspection process to ensure that the business meets WBENC's rigorous standards.
  • ORV WBE:  Refers to Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) that are part of the Ohio River Valley (ORV) region and are certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The ORV region includes the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. These businesses are part of the WBEC ORV, a regional partner organization of WBENC, which supports, promotes, and advocates for women-owned businesses in this area.

Click the links below to apply for our awards