Public Procurement and Property

Businesses of all sizes invited to ‘Meet the Buyer 2022’

May 16, 2022 by Jennifer Payne No Comments | Category Guest Blog, Meet the Buyer, Procurement news, Supplier Development Programme

Scotland’s public sector is open for business.  Once a year, The Scottish Government partners with the Supplier Development Programme to organise a one-day event where local businesses can meet potential customers from councils, government bodies and organisations, and large contractors with supply chain opportunities nationally, right across Scotland.

The event is called Meet the Buyer and is free to attend. This year it will take place virtually on 15 June.

Meet the Buyer 2022

From the comfort of their own screen, businesses will have the chance to introduce their companies and talk to key contacts. They will learn about tenders and projects buyers have in the pipeline for micro, small, medium and supported businesses for the supply of goods, works and services to Scotland and the UK’s public sector.

Businesses can meet with trade and construction contractors that are connected to public sector projects to find out about opportunities in the supply chain.  Something everyone in the public sector is particularly excited about is meeting businesses that can fulfil potential community wealth building contracts. These include the key local services nearby to work sites like MOTs, food and drink, bed and breakfast accommodation, and cleaning services, just to name a few.

Businesses will be able to have one-to-one meetings, download free resources and information, and pick up top tips on how to bid for upcoming contracts on the virtual platform.  Those nervous about an online event can see how it works through a step-by-step walkthrough in advance of the day.

The virtual agenda is packed with speakers on emerging business opportunities and topics. These include – Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub, diversifying NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire supply chain. Also – Net Zero, Growth Deals, links to Community Wealth Building, sustainable procurement, Fair Work First, how to bring innovation to the public sector, Brexit, and COVID-19 economic recovery plans. Just check out the draft agenda!

Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism & Enterprise is confirmed to deliver a Welcome Address, subject to Parliamentary business.  The Supplier Development Programme Chair, Councillor Heather Brannan-McVey, will open the event with a warm welcome to small businesses across Scotland.

Agenda Features

• Scotland Excel seeks businesses to bid for an upcoming national framework opportunity for Repair, Maintenance and Refurbishment services. Dundee City Council Procurement staff will be available to talk through how contracting arrangements related to these trades will be changing, which will undoubtedly be particularly relevant to local businesses in Tayside.
• The Heads of Procurement for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire will also present on plans to diversify their local supply chains in partnership with the Supplier Development Programme. Together, the two health boards make up 40% of Scotland’s total public sector spend in the health sector. If a business has never considered bidding for goods and services required by the health sector, this event will offer the perfect opportunity to do just that!

Last year’s event was also held virtually. There were 1,161 attendees on the day, including exhibitors and individual suppliers, with 29,574 minutes of video interaction. After attending, 91% of businesses said they were more likely to bid for public sector contracts.  Watch this video to view some highlights from the day:

Register Now

No business is too small to attend Meet the Buyer; there is something for everyone.  After the event, businesses are invited to get “tender ready” by attending short training and supplier engagement webinars organised by the Supplier Development Programme.

Register free on www.sdpscotland.co.uk and look out for the other upcoming regional events, Meet the Buyer North on 7 September and the first-ever Meet the Buyer South on 4 October.

For further information on public procurement in Scotland please visit www.gov.scot/procurement

Please email enquiries to scottishprocurement@gov.scot

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Tags: Event, guest blog, Meet the Buyer, Supplier Development Programme

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