Diversity in Event Services: A New Edge for Healthcare Conferences

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – December 12, 2025 – In a strategic move that reverberates beyond the local event scene, Bay Area sister companies Standard Event Rentals and Impact Lighting Audio Video have secured the prestigious Women-Owned Business Certification from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). While on the surface a milestone for the companies' new owners, Isabel Galindo and Malina Jacobs, this certification represents a significant market shift with direct implications for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sectors that dominate the region's economy.

The healthcare industry relies heavily on large-scale events—from global medical congresses and investigator meetings to elaborate product launches and internal sales conferences. These gatherings are critical infrastructure for innovation, education, and commercial strategy. As corporate procurement policies increasingly prioritize supplier diversity, the certification of key service providers like Standard and Impact creates a new competitive dynamic in a vital ancillary market.

The Strategic Power of WBENC Certification

The WBENC certification is far more than a commemorative plaque; it is a powerful tool for market access and a nationally recognized "gold standard" for businesses majority-owned and operated by women. For Standard Event Rentals and Impact Lighting Audio Video, this credential unlocks doors to the lucrative procurement programs of Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, many of which are cornerstones of the healthcare industry.

Major pharmaceutical and medical technology corporations have established robust supplier diversity programs, not only as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives but as a core business strategy. These programs often have specific targets for spending with minority- and women-owned businesses. WBENC certification acts as a verified credential, streamlining the process for companies like Standard and Impact to be discovered and engaged by these corporate giants. The certification places them in a national database used by procurement officers actively seeking to diversify their supply chains.

The benefits are tangible and mutual. For the certified business, it means access to contracts that might otherwise be unattainable. For the corporate partner, research indicates that working with diverse suppliers can increase profitability, drive innovation, and lower operating costs. Furthermore, federal and state projects often include tax incentives for partnering with certified businesses, adding a compelling financial layer to the strategic rationale. This certification effectively transforms Standard and Impact from regional leaders into prime candidates for high-value contracts within the healthcare event ecosystem.

A Legacy Reimagined for a New Market

The story of this certification is also one of savvy leadership and strategic foresight. Standard Event Rentals and Impact Lighting Audio Video are not startups; they are established players with a legacy stretching back to 1984. For over three decades, they have been integral to Northern California's event landscape, building a reputation for quality and reliability across the Bay Area, Central Valley, and Sacramento.

The pivotal moment came in January 2023, when tenured employees Isabel Galindo and Malina Jacobs acquired the companies. Both women brought over 25 years of industry experience to their new ownership roles, having previously served in key sales and leadership positions within Standard Event Rentals. Their transition to ownership ensured the continuity of the company's founding values while infusing it with a new, forward-looking vision.

Achieving WBENC certification less than two years after taking the helm is a testament to their strategic intent. Rather than simply maintaining the status quo, Galindo and Jacobs have actively repositioned the companies to compete in a modern business environment. This move signals a clear understanding of contemporary market forces, where diversity and inclusion are increasingly becoming prerequisites for high-level corporate partnerships. It is a deliberate effort to leverage their new status as a women-owned enterprise to secure a competitive advantage and drive future growth.

Powering the Next Generation of Healthcare Events

The Northern California region, a global epicenter for biotechnology and digital health, hosts a relentless calendar of sophisticated healthcare-related events. These are not simple meetings; they are complex productions designed to communicate groundbreaking scientific data, launch life-saving therapies, and train medical professionals on new technologies. The success of these events hinges on flawless execution, cutting-edge technology, and seamless logistics—the exact services provided by Standard and Impact.

Standard Event Rentals offers the foundational elements, from tenting and flooring for large-scale temporary venues to the fine dinnerware required for a gala awards dinner. Impact Lighting Audio Video complements this with the technical wizardry essential for a modern conference: high-definition audiovisual systems, complex lighting design, and integrated technical production. Together, they offer a comprehensive, one-stop solution that is highly attractive to event planners managing complex, multi-day medical conferences.

This integrated service model is particularly well-suited for the demands of the healthcare industry. A pharmaceutical product launch, for instance, requires not only a physical space but also sophisticated AV to present clinical trial data, dynamic lighting to create brand impact, and reliable technical support to ensure the message is delivered without a hitch. By gaining WBENC certification, Standard and Impact are now better positioned to become the go-to partner for healthcare companies in the Bay Area and beyond, offering both operational excellence and alignment with corporate diversity goals.

Supplier Diversity: An Evolving Corporate Imperative

The certification of these two event service providers highlights a broader and more profound trend in the global marketplace: the elevation of supplier diversity from a line item in a corporate responsibility report to a strategic business imperative. For multinational healthcare companies, a diverse supply chain is now linked to enhanced innovation, greater market agility, and a stronger brand reputation among consumers, physicians, and investors.

These corporations are under increasing pressure from stakeholders—including their own employees and boards—to demonstrate meaningful commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Partnering with certified women-owned businesses is a direct and measurable way to advance the "Social" component of ESG. It creates more resilient supply chains by broadening the pool of suppliers and fosters economic growth in local communities.

Therefore, the decision by a major pharmaceutical company to hire Standard Event Rentals and Impact Lighting Audio Video for its next national sales meeting is no longer just about logistics and cost. It becomes a strategic decision that supports corporate values, meets procurement targets, and contributes to a more inclusive economy. As this trend continues, certifications like the one awarded by WBENC will become increasingly crucial differentiators, separating preferred partners from the rest of the field and reshaping the competitive landscape for industries that support the global health sector.