During the WEConnect International Europe Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Conference hosted at Disneyland Paris, Présidente Natacha Rafalski announced a pilot program launching together with WEConnect International next year to further support the visibility and growth of women-owned businesses in France.
For more than 30 years, Disneyland Paris has focused on creating unforgettable experiences for guests, thanks to the incredible talent of its Cast Members and the breadth of savoir-faire that its suppliers contribute every day.
The resort has worked with about 4,000 suppliers in the past fiscal year, the majority located in France. From traditional artisans to cutting-edge technology specialists and everything in between, working with suppliers who are experts in their fields helps to enhance the magic and exceed guest expectations, while also having a tangible economic impact on a local and national scale. Women-owned businesses are among this key group of contributors.
At the intersection of the resort’s commitments to diversity and inclusion, community engagement and economic impact, supplier diversity represents a key opportunity across all lines of business, now and in the future. As the host of the Europe Supplier Diversity & Inclusion Conference by WEConnect International – the first event of its kind in Europe – Disneyland Paris underscored its efforts not just by contributing to a series of engaging panels, workshops and networking among the business community, but also by taking the opportunity to announce its next initiative: a pilot program to help WEConnect International advance the visibility of women-owned businesses in the Paris metropolitan area.
Next year, Disneyland Paris is supporting WEConnect International to bring together women-owned businesses to participate in a customized program including workshops tailored to their expressed interests and needs in addition to mentoring opportunities with the Disneyland Paris team for meaningful exchanges to help support their business growth. In parallel, Disneyland Paris is aiming to register and certify 100 women-owned businesses in its own supply chain over the next three years for even greater impact and visibility, through the WEConnect International organization.
Disneyland Paris believes that including diverse suppliers in its sourcing process provides the greatest opportunity to deliver the best experiences, while also having a positive impact on the people and communities where the resort does business by creating jobs and opportunities for everyone. With the launch of this pilot program, the resort aims to further diversify its own supply chain as a rich source of talent, innovative services and creative business solutions, while encouraging other companies to actively support women-owned businesses on a larger scale.