Meet the Buyer event aims to help Falkirk area businesses explore future opportunities
Businesses across the Falkirk area are invited to the upcoming Forth Valley Meet the Buyer event next week.
The free event at Forth Valley College’s Falkirk campus on Thursday, September 17, lets local businesses connect with Falkirk Council teams, major employers, and procurement specialists to discuss future contract and supply chain opportunities.
Running from 9.30am to 1pm, organisations from across the public and private sectors can come together and meet with local suppliers.
Teams from Falkirk Council will be in attendance, including the corporate procurement, organisational development, works contracts, and Falkirk health and social care partnership representatives. Attendees can discuss current and future opportunities with the teams and learn more about engaging with the procurement process.
Businesses can meet various organisations which are looking for suppliers, including NHS Forth Valley, Balfour Beatty, Persimmon Homes, Robertson, Kier Construction, Scotland Excel, and Forth Valley College. Currently, 24 exhibitors have signed up for the event.
Buyers are looking for suppliers across a broad range of sectors from works and infrastructure projects to everyday goods and services.
Last year the event, held in Alloa, attracted 250 attendees including 129 Scottish small and medium sized businesses (SMEs). The event proved valuable to businesses, as 95 percent said they would attend again, 80 percent stated they were more likely to bid for contracts after attending, and 79 percent acknowledged they felt more capable of bidding for contracts after taking part.
The event aims to support one of the council’s key priorities - supporting local businesses. The council spent more than £155 million with suppliers based around the Falkirk Council area in the last financial year, and £81.6m of that was spent at local SME businesses.
Councillor Paul Garner, Falkirk Council's spokesperson for economic development, said: “Businesses of all sizes play an important role in Falkirk's economy, and events like Forth Valley Meet the Buyer can help create new opportunities for growth. Falkirk Council spent more than £115 million with local suppliers last year, demonstrating the important contribution businesses make to our communities and local economy.
"Whether you're looking to win your first contract, expand your customer base or find out more about future opportunities, this event offers a chance to meet buyers face-to-face, make new connections and gain a better understanding of how the procurement process works. I would encourage businesses from across the Falkirk area to come along and see what's on offer.”
Advisors from Business Gateway will also be available to provide support and guidance on tendering, bidding for contracts, and accessing wider business support services.
Gillian Cameron, supplier development programme manager, said: “After the success of last year's Forth Valley Meet the Buyer event, SDP is delighted to be returning to the region with our fellow exhibitors.
"With so many exciting contracts on the horizon, there's never been a better time to get in the room with the right people. Spaces are limited, so secure your ticket now before they're gone.”
The event is free for attendees, but registration must be made in advance through the Supplier Development Programme at sdpscotland.co.uk.