The City of Winston-Salem is committed to spending funds within the local economy and with M/WBE’s on both formal and informal projects. The M/WBE Division works to increase economic opportunity in development, design, construction, goods, and services for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses in contracting with the City.

With a focus around engagement, education, and collaboration, the City of Winston-Salem (along with the Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce, the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce, and Forsyth Tech Small Business Center) is co-hosting an outreach event, “Speed Networking”,  exclusively for local firms. This event is scheduled for Thursday, July 16, 2015, from 5:30-7:30 pm, at no financial cost to you! Click here to download the flyer.

How does Speed Networking work?
A separate room will be provided: each contractor is asked to supply 2 people that are able to host a table where we will send M/WBE general and sub-contractors hoping to partner and do business as well as vendors and suppliers interested in supplying goods and services. Also, you will benefit by networking with potential M/WBE partners, suppliers, and City procurement personnel. The participants will range from local small businesses to more advanced contractors including businesses that are chamber members and non-chamber members.  Prior to the event, we will allow people to sign-up for a time slot with the table hosts. Each slot will last 10 minutes. There will be a designated sound to encourage the rotation after 10 minutes.

If you are interested in hosting a table, please contact Evon Smith, M/WBE Division Director, at [email protected] or Tiesha Hinton, M/WBE Coordinator, at [email protected]. The purpose of this event is to promote relationship building by providing you the opportunity to share your upcoming projects and project needs with local business owners. You will be able to explore partnership opportunities and share what services you provide for M/WBE’s as it relates to equipment, loan capital, lines of credit, supplies, etc. City of Winston-Salem Departments that are overseeing upcoming City projects will also be available to discuss upcoming projects (including 2015 bond projects).