Meet the Buyers boost for local economy
Release date: 2 March 2010
Local businesses will have the chance to meet purchasing managers of major buying organisations at a special networking event later this month.
South Hampshire Partnership's Meet the Buyers on March 24, at East Horton Golf Club, Fair Oak, aims to help local businesses find new customers in the area and boost their sales.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative is designed to increase economic activity and build local supply chains. Suppliers are invited to attend the event, where they can meet with purchasing managers of major buying organisations within the South Hampshire region.
For more information, or to reserve a place, contact Victoria Weaver on 0207 7000008, or email victoria@btob.co.uk
The event is funded by the South Hampshire Meet the Buyers Partnership, which includes New Forest District Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Partnership for Urban South Hampshire, Hampshire County Council, Test Valley Borough Council and Winchester City Council.
Cllr Maureen Holding, Portfolio Holder for Employment, Health and Wellbeing for New Forest District Council, said: "This is a great opportunity for local businesses to meet with some of the biggest public and private sector organisations in the region. Previous Meet the Buyers events have seen businesses win contracts in excess of £100,000 to date, with a further £500,000 expected over the next 12 months.
"It's a real chance for local businesses to meet face-to-face with major buyers looking for new suppliers."
Last year's event at the Rose Bowl, Hampshire, attracted over 150 suppliers and 25 buyers. On the day, more than 650 pre-arranged meetings took place, with over 99% of suppliers rating the range of buyers as satisfactory or better. Over 20% of companies won business and a further 60% believed they were likely to win business over the coming year.
This year's South Hampshire Meet the Buyers will be held at East Horton Golf Club and aims to once again provide an environment for major local buyers with significant spends and local suppliers in the local area to create business opportunities and encourage local purchasing.
The format is quite a contrast to traditional exhibitions. Senior buyers from organisations such as Carillion, Hampshire County Council, BAA Southampton, Lakehouse Contract and New Forest District Council have already committed to take part. They will all be given a buying office at the event, allowing them each to meet around 40 small and medium sized businesses in one day! It is the buyers who will occupy the stands and this is where local suppliers will conduct their private meetings with them. A unique appointment system allows suppliers to conduct sales meetings with the buyers of their choice.
Previous buyers include:
- BAA Southampton
- Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
- Brighton Sussex University Hospital
- Carillion
- Carnival UK
- Dyer & Butler
- Eastleigh Borough Council
- Fareham Borough Council
- Hampshire County Council
- Hampshire Constabulary
- Honda
- Lakehouse
- Mansell
- Mackley Construction
- Mood Media
- New Forest District Council
- Southampton University
- Test Valley Borough Council
- Warings Contractors
- Wellman Group
- Winchester City Council