Converting Conversations to Contracts is a trade show style event focusing on helping organizations increase spending with minority owned businesses. The event gathers the region’s largest businesses, organizations and government agencies for the purpose of connecting diverse-owned companies to contracting opportunities.

The aim of the event is to create a trade show style event designed to connect and broker $2.5 million dollars in contracting opportunities for diverse owned businesses in 2023 through a networking environment.

For diverse owned businesses, we aim to lower the barriers to contract conversion by engaging the three biggest challenges:

1.   Access to capital. Traditionally, Black and Hispanic owned businesses have lacked access to capital that fuels many high-growth industries. Conversations to Contracts partners with financial institutions in order for them to build relationships with diverse owned businesses and connect them with products suited for their stage in business development.

2.   Access to customers. More customers for minority owned businesses will increase revenue which provides the resources for companies to increase their capacity. We intentionally partner with organizations focused on increasing their diversity spend and expanding their supply chain to include diverse owned businesses.

3. Access to knowledge and networks. Strategic expertise and technical training are significant impediments to MBEs being competitive in the marketplace. Conversations to Contracts workshops provide insights and analysis for minority owned business enterprises to gain the information and networks needed to grow their business.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

PRESENTING SPONSORS

North State Bank

Novant Health

NCDOT

PREMIUM SPONSORS

Cape Fear Community College

First National Bank

UNCW

Wells Fargo

SUPPLIER DIVERSITY SPONSOR

Monteith

Corning, Inc

Clancy & Theys

COMMUNITY SPONSORS

Corning Credit Union

Truist

Express Employment Professionals

Duke Energy

Express Employment Professionals

GE Hitachi

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

Cape Fear Solar Systems

Samet Corporation

Guy C. Lee Building Materials

State Farm Agency – Chrystal Fray

City of Wilmington

United Community Bank

Highland Roofing

Level Up Strategies

Self Help Credit Union