The Women’s Business Development Center is hosting a Future Forum Series on May 23 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The event will explore the current supplier diversity environment in Kansas City and the benefits of certification as a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE).

Attendees include women business owners, corporate and government representatives who are looking for diverse suppliers, and those looking for opportunities to work with WBEs in the Kansas City region.

During the first hour, representatives from firms seeking diverse suppliers will be on hand for the Procurement Connections session. The session is designed to enable certified WBEs, as well as women business owners, to connect and discuss potential business opportunities.

The second hour features the Future Forum Panel made up of corporate and public sector supplier diversity/procurement and certified WBEs. They will discuss what buyers look for in an exceptional supplier and how to differentiate your business in the ever-evolving supplier diversity environment.

Panelists include Rosie Privitera Biondo, president of Mark One Electric Co., Inc.; Lenora Payne, president of Technology Group Solutions LLC; Joyce Christanio, manager of supplier diversity at Sprint; and John Meiers, Ph.D., senior procurement manager at DST Systems, Inc. The moderator will be Debra Jennings-Johnson, WBDC board chair and senior director of supplier diversity for BP America, Inc.

Attendees will leave with tangible takeaways on how to effectively leverage WBE certification, including how to stay relevant and ahead of the curve when it comes to working with supplier diversity programs in a range of industries.

A networking reception with wine and hors d’ouevres will follow.

The event will be held at the Belger Arts Center, 2100 Walnut in Kansas City, Mo.

The event is free, but attendees must register. More information and registration is available here.