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Meet the Buyer: What's it all about?

What is a Meet the Buyer event?

Meet the Buyer events connect suppliers (a business that bids in a procurement process in order to win a contract to deliver works, services or goods) with buyers (a public body or organisation that coordinates a procurement process with a view to appointing a supplier and awarding a contract).

There are many Meet the Buyer events held across the world, and the Supplier Development Programme organises the largest free annual Meet the Buyer event nationally in Scotland each year.

The Supplier Development Programme also organises a dedicated Meet the Buyer North event to connect businesses in the North of Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands, with public sector buyers.

In 2022, SDP introduced a Meet the Buyer South event to connect businesses across the South of Scotland with public sector contract and framework opportunities.

The Supplier Development Programme also regularly supports regional and smaller Meet the Buyer events across Scotland each year. Some examples include Fife Council Meet the Buyer 2021, Forth Valley Meet the Buyer 2021, Ayrshire Meet the Buyer 2021, Lanarkshire Meet the "Real" Buyer 2021, and Fife Council Meet the Buyer 2020.

The best way to keep up-to-date with future Meet the Buyer events in Scotland is to register free with the Supplier Development Programme and "opt in" to receiving communications and news within your account settings.

How can I prepare for a Meet the Buyer event?

SDP has prepared a couple of guides for suppliers to prepare for Meet the Buyer and Meet the Buyer North, and these are updated annually. These steps will help you prepare in advance for how to optimise your time on the day, with lots of hints and tips that can be applied to any Meet the Buyer or Meet the "Real" Buyer event your business attends.

Why aren't all Meet the Buyer events in Scotland advertised by SDP?

If wishing made it so! The Supplier Development Programme works in partnership with all 32 Scottish local authorities and numerous public and private sector organisations to advertise as many Meet the Buyer events to local SMEs, supported and third sector organisations as possible. SDP encourages public sector buyers and primary contractors to take paid membership of the Programme to adequately support suppliers into bidding and tendering, as well as supply chain and community wealth building opportunities. SDP is happy to exhibit at non-centralised Meet the Buyer events throughout the year, and more information on working in partnership can be found by emailing the SDP Team.

Meet the Buyer: What's it all about?

View short films on what Meet the Buyer events are all about, and how they connect businesses with real decision makers in the public sector!

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