Public Procurement and Property

Meet the Buyer North playlist

September 25, 2019 by Jennifer Payne No Comments | Category Best practice, Meet the Buyer, Meet the Buyer North, Procurement news, SMEs, Supplier Development Programme, suppliers, video

Meet The Buyer North 2019

The Supplier Development Programme’s Meet the Buyer North event attracted record numbers of suppliers on Wednesday 4 September at Macdonald Aviemore Resort. Out of the record number of suppliers that registered to attend, more than 560 gathered to interact with 35 exhibition stalls, representing 41 public sector buyers and business support services.

Couldn’t make it?

Nothing beats being at the event for the full experience and to make the most of the unique networking opportunity. However, if you weren’t able to make it, we’ve got your back! You can now watch all of the speakers’ sessions on our YouTube Channel. Here’s a selection of video highlights from our fantastic range of speakers. If you’re still hungry for more, be sure to check out the full playlist.

Opening speech

Meet the Buyer North was opened by Diane Beattie, Director of SDP (North of Scotland). Diane spoke about some exciting upcoming milestones, including the launch of the new SDP website on 7 October 2019, and the official launch of the Supplier Development Programme within Moray Council on 3 October in Forres.

Top tips for tendering

Gill Joy of Intend Business Solutions Ltd. delivered an SDP workshop on ‘Top Tips for Tendering’. It highlighted the full SDP training programme, and concentrated on how businesses can engage with public sector procurement.

Future Opportunities with Forestry and Land Scotland

In 2017/18, 97% of contracts for Forestry and Land Scotland were awarded to SMEs. Julian Fryer, Operations Area Manager, and Dorothy Low MCIPS, Procurement Manager of Forestry and Land Scotland, delivered a session that introduced the diversity of Forestry and Land as a buying organisation, and featured a variety of upcoming opportunities in business services, land management, mechanical engineering, estates management, and more.

Open4Business (O4B)

In 2012, SSE originally set up the Open4Business portal to link supply chains with large SSE construction projects. In just over five years, it led to more than £174 million in contracts to local businesses, contributing directly to the economic development of many communities across Scotland. In 2018, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) took over the portal to include new industries. Sandra McCaughey, O4B Programme Manager, delivered a session that detailed how HIE and the Inverness Chamber of Commerce will work together to further develop the platform, and included opportunities where businesses can engage in key sectors.

Next up: Meet the Buyer – Wednesday 13 November 2019 at Hampden Park, Glasgow

We now look to deliver the largest free procurement event in Scotland: the 11th annual Meet the Buyer event, with Scottish Government and Scotland Excel as headline partners.

Meet the Buyer 2019 will see exhibitors from the public sector, private contractors and business support providers. As the largest free procurement event in Scotland, the event gives suppliers unprecedented access to buyers and decision makers from across the public and private sector. There is also the added bonus of the chance to raise your profile as a business and prepare for upcoming contract opportunities.

Businesses can register for a free place on the SDP website.

Tags: Meet the Buyer, Meet the Buyer North 2019, Supplier Development Programme Scotland, tendering, Top tips for tendering, video, Youtube

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