Meet the Buyer North 2023

The Supplier Development Programme and headline partners are set to host the sixth annual Meet the Buyer North.

Focusing on one-to-one in-person networking, Meet the Buyer North 2023 will allow your business to connect with "real" buyers, procurement teams and decision makers from across the public sector, as well as private contractors with supply chain opportunities and business support providers, all under one roof.

This free event affords suppliers that wish to do business in the North of Scotland, unprecedented access to buyers and decision makers from across the public and private sectors, with the opportunity to raise your profile as a business and prepare for upcoming contract opportunities.

Who's Exhibiting?

Headline Partners: The Supplier Development Programme, Scottish Government, and the Commercial and Procurement Shared Services (Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Highland Councils)

SDP Member Organisations: Historic Environment Scotland, Moray Council, NatureScot, Northern Lighthouse Board, PfH Scotland, Police Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Procurement Alliance

Other Public Sector Organisations: APUC, Crown Commercial Service, Energy Technology Partnership, NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, Scotland Excel, University of Aberdeen

Business Support: Business Gateway Aberdeen City and Shire, Living Wage Scotland

Meet the Contractors (Supply Chain Opportunities): Balfour Beatty, hub North Scotland, Robertson Facilities Management, Ogilvie Construction, RJ McLeod, CITB, Vattenfal and Constructionline. 

Food and Drink Support: Scottish Wholesale Association

Speaking on the day (Agenda)

•  10:30am Welcome by the Supplier Development Programme Chair

• 10:40am Ministerial Address
  

• 10:50am Aberdeen Shared Procurement Services: Doing business with Aberdeen City, Shire and Highland

• 11:10am Scottish Government - Commitment to supporting Scottish SME and the Third sector
  

• 11:30am Open discussion for SME and Third sector to ask the Panel questions on procurement
  

• 11:45am Hub North Scotland: Opportunities in Aberdeen and beyond
  

• 12:00pm How to Do Business With Balfour Beatty
  

• 12:30pm Lunch & Exhibition
  

• 1:00 pm Aberdeen City Region Deal
  

• 1:20pm Local Outcome Improvement Plan - Aberdeen City
  

• 1:40pm Aberdeen Hydrogen Hub: Growing a Hydrogen Economy in the Aberdeen City Region
  

• 2:00pm Discover Your Perfect Match: Find Your Ideal Food & Drink Wholesaler
  

• 2:20pm Supplier Development Programme: Top Tips for Tendering
  

• 3:00pm Tendering with NHS Grampian

• 3:20pm Vote of Thanks and Close
  

Why should your business attend Meet the Buyer North?

• Find out about upcoming contracts and supply chain opportunities.
• Chat 1-to-1 with public and private sector buyers from across the North of Scotland, including local authorities, government agencies, primary contractors and more!
• Understand how your business can benefit from Growth Deal projects.
• Get 'tender ready' with free workshops.

How to prepare your business for Meet the Buyer North?

It can be daunting walking through the doors of Meet the Buyer North as a visitor, especially if it is your first time attending a Meet the Buyer event. But help is on hand! Check out our handy guide to preparing for a Meet the Buyer event to ensure your visit is profitable. 

This event is designed to support micro, small and medium sized businesses in the North of Scotland, including the Highlands and Islands, to engage with business opportunities in the public sector. Businesses of all sizes are welcome to attend Meet the Buyer North. Non-SME suppliers are also eligible to attend, and all must register a free account with SDP to book a place.

Join the conversation on Twitter: #MeetTheBuyerNorth2023