Meet the Buyer events: get there ready.

Public-sector buyers hold Meet the Buyer events to find suppliers before a tender is published. This is your chance to get in the room, ask the right questions and make a lasting impression before the competition begins.

Buyers and suppliers. In the room. Before the tender.

Meet the Buyer events bring public-sector buyers and potential suppliers together, usually before a formal procurement begins. They give buyers insight into the supplier market and give suppliers insight into the buyer's priorities, challenges and future contracts.

Events are organised by councils, NHS organisations, government departments, universities, housing associations and procurement bodies. They range from large networking expos with exhibition stands to focused one-to-one sessions with a specific buyer.

They are particularly valuable for SMEs, businesses new to public-sector work and specialist providers who want to get on a buyer's radar before a contract is published.

Six things a good event can do for your business

Understand buyer priorities
Learn what the buyer actually needs and what they think about the current market, before a specification is written.
Spot forthcoming contracts
Get early sight of the buyer's procurement pipeline and upcoming opportunities before they appear on any portal.
Build relationships
Meet procurement and operational staff and establish a connection before a tender is published. Buyers remember suppliers who listened.
Learn routes to market
Understand how the buyer intends to procure, what frameworks they use and what timescales look like.
Demonstrate capability
Show relevant experience, evidence and case studies directly to the buyer in a low-pressure setting.
Find subcontracting opportunities
Identify prime contractors and potential partners who may need specialist suppliers in their bid teams.
Before you bid

Are you ready to bid when the contract comes to market?

Making a strong impression at an event is step one. When the ITT lands, you need policies in place, evidence prepared and a clear understanding of what the buyer expects. Our Tender Readiness Call gives you an honest picture of where you stand and what to do next.

Book a Tender Readiness Call
£125 + VAT · one-off

UK Meet the Buyer Events Tracker

63 upcoming events across the UK from October 2026 onwards, covering multiple sectors including construction, health and care, technology, education, housing and professional services.

Re-checked 27 September 2026. Includes event type, organiser, location, cost and booking status. Free to download.

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We'll also send you a heads-up when we update the tracker.

How to make the most of every event

Before the event
  • ✦Research the buyer's strategy, priorities and procurement pipeline
  • ✦Identify contracts that are likely to come to market
  • ✦Prepare three to five intelligent questions about the buyer's challenges
  • ✦Write a 20-second explanation of the problem your business solves
  • ✦Select two or three relevant case studies with measurable results
  • ✦Bring contact details in a memorable format that shows what you do
Questions to ask

Focus on the buyer's problem, not your product. Listen more than you talk.

  • →What outcome are you ultimately trying to achieve?
  • →What is the biggest problem with the current arrangement?
  • →What would success look like after implementation?
  • →What is the anticipated route to market and timescale?
  • →What tends to distinguish a strong bid for this type of requirement?
  • →Is there anything about the proposed procurement that could make it difficult for smaller suppliers to participate?
What to bring
Relevant experience
Show that you have delivered this type of solution for comparable organisations.
Measurable results
Numbers matter. A 30% reduction in processing time is more convincing than a general claim.
Relevant testimonials
From comparable organisations, specific and attributable where possible.
Social value evidence
What has your business actually delivered: jobs, apprenticeships, local spend or carbon reduction.
After the event

Follow up within a few days. Refer to something the buyer specifically said in your conversation rather than sending a generic brochure.

"You mentioned that mobilisation was a particular concern. We completed mobilisation in 10 weeks on a similar project. I have attached a short case study showing how we approached it."

The goal is for the buyer to think: "They understood our problem, they've solved it before and they can prove it."

63 UK events from October 2026

Filter by sector or search by name, location or organiser. Booking status can change quickly, so check the booking link before travelling.

⚠️

Last checked 27 October 2026. Booking status can change quickly. Always verify on the organiser's website before registering or travelling. Some events may have closed, moved or added new dates since this page was last updated.

Showing all 63 events
27 Oct 2026
Check organiser
Future of Healthcare 2026 (New Statesman)
📍 County Hall, London SE1 7PB 🏷 Conference / summit 💷 Ticketed, price not shown
Care & Health
27-28 Oct 2026
Open
Defence in Space Conference (DISC) 2026
📍 London 🏷 Conference / market engagement 💷 Free (tickets via Eventbrite)
Defence
28-29 Oct 2026
Check organiser
TickEat Meet the Buyer 2026 (Travel and Leisure)
📍 Arena MK, Milton Keynes 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Check organiser
Food & Drink
29 Oct 2026
Open
Procurex Scotland 2026
📍 SEC Glasgow 🏷 Public procurement marketplace 💷 Free
Generic
29 Oct 2026
Check organiser
TickEat Marketplace
📍 Milton Keynes (venue to be confirmed) 🏷 Buyer marketplace 💷 Check organiser
Food & Drink
30 Oct 2026
Open
Lancashire County Council - Meet the Buyer: Construction and Assets Services
📍 County Hall, Preston PR1 8XJ 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Free
Construction
2-3 Nov 2026
Open
Atom Facilities Management - Meet the Buyer
📍 Doncaster Racecourse DN2 6BB 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Paid supplier package (price not shown)
FM
2-3 Nov 2026
Check organiser
The Care Forum - Buyer and Supplier Event
📍 Forest of Arden Hotel, Birmingham 🏷 Forum / buyer meetings 💷 Check organiser
Care & Health
3-4 Nov 2026
Open
Atom Facilities Management - Public Sector and Education
📍 Doncaster Racecourse DN2 6BB 🏷 Supplier / buyer event 💷 Check organiser
Education
3 Nov 2026
Open
London Luton Airport - Supplier Day
📍 Percival House, Luton 🏷 Supplier engagement 💷 Check organiser
Transport
3 Nov 2026
Check organiser
Estates SME Meet the Buyer Forum (GCA)
📍 Radisson Hotel, North Street, York YO1 6JF 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Not stated (Eventbrite registration)
Construction
3 Nov 2026
Open
NHS SBS Hard FM3 Framework Launch Webinar
📍 Online (Microsoft Teams) 🏷 Webinar 💷 Free
FM
4 Nov 2026
Check organiser
National Schools and Academies Summit 2026
📍 Birmingham 🏷 Conference / buyer meetings 💷 Check organiser
Education
4 Nov 2026
Open
NI Chamber Meet the Buyer 2026
📍 Affidea Stadium, Belfast 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Ticketed (price not stated)
Generic
4-5 Nov 2026
Fully booked
ADS Meet the Buyer at Advanced Engineering
📍 NEC Birmingham 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Not stated
Defence
5 Nov 2026
Open
Fife Meet the Buyer
📍 New Fife College, Dunfermline KY11 8WH 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Free
Generic
5 Nov 2026
Check organiser
GCA Cyber Security 4 - Supplier Engagement (Online, terms and conditions)
📍 Online 🏷 Supplier engagement 💷 Not stated
Technology
5 Nov 2026
Limited places
Scottish Aerospace and Defence Investment Forum
📍 Ayrshire (venue not shown) 🏷 Forum / buyer meetings 💷 Not stated
Defence
10 Nov 2026
Fully booked
Lanarkshire Meet the Real Buyer
📍 South Lanarkshire Council HQ, Hamilton ML3 0AA 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Free (SDP events are usually free)
Generic
11 Nov 2026
Open
Procurex Wales 2026
📍 Utilita Arena Cardiff CF10 2EQ 🏷 Public procurement marketplace 💷 Free
Generic
11 Nov 2026
Check organiser
THINK Innovation for Government
📍 One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA 🏷 Supplier / buyer event 💷 Supplier pricing
Technology
11 Nov 2026
Check organiser
Lancashire County Council - Apprenticeships Made Simple Engagement Event
📍 County Hall, Preston 🏷 Market engagement 💷 Check organiser
Generic
11 Nov 2026
Fully booked
UK-US Meet the Buyer: CoAspire
📍 London (venue not named) 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Not stated
Defence
12 Nov 2026
Open
Nuclear Supply Chain Event - Meet the Buyer and Exhibition
📍 Falkirk (Inchyra Hotel, not confirmed on page) 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 £150 + VAT
Energy
12 Nov 2026
Check organiser
Offshore Wind North East Conference and Exhibition 2026
📍 Beacon of Light, Sunderland SR5 1SN 🏷 Expo / exhibition 💷 Check organiser (booking via nof.co.uk)
Energy
17 Nov 2026
Open
Cyber Security Conference 2026 (Total Politics)
📍 The Minster Building, 21 Mincing Lane, London 🏷 Conference / buyer meetings 💷 Check organiser
Technology
17-18 Nov 2026
Open
EIC Connect UK and Ireland Energy 2026
📍 Hotel Football, Manchester 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 £175 + VAT members / £255 + VAT non-members
Energy
18 Nov 2026
Open
West Norfolk Meet the Buyer
📍 King's Lynn Town Hall 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Free
Construction
18-19 Nov 2026
Open
HCSA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2026
📍 Telford (not confirmed on page) 🏷 Conference / exhibition 💷 Exhibitor package
Care & Health
18-19 Nov 2026
Open
Schools and Academies Show 2026
📍 Hall 1, NEC, Birmingham B40 1NT 🏷 Conference / exhibition 💷 Exhibitor package
Education
18-19 Nov 2026
Open
Make UK Defence Summit 2026 - Meet the Buyer
📍 British Motor Museum, Gaydon CV35 0BJ 🏷 Defence summit / Meet the Buyer 💷 Check organiser (tickets via Eventbrite)
Defence
19 Nov 2026
Open
Constructionline Marketplace Live Manchester 2026
📍 Old Trafford, Manchester M16 0RA 🏷 Buyer marketplace 💷 Free
Construction
19 Nov 2026
Check organiser
Dinner With The Buyers - Rail Operators and Caterers
📍 York 🏷 Supplier / buyer event 💷 Check organiser
Transport
19 Nov 2026 (to be confirmed)
Check organiser
London Stansted Airport - Meet the Buyers
📍 Stansted Airport (venue to be confirmed) 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Paid
Generic
24-25 Nov 2026
Check organiser
Local Government Partnership Network South (LGPN South) 2026
📍 Heathrow 🏷 Conference / buyer meetings 💷 Supplier package
Generic
25 Nov 2026
Open
Ayrshire Meet the Buyer
📍 Ayr Racecourse KA8 0JE 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Check organiser (likely free)
Generic
25-26 Nov 2026
Check organiser
London Build 2026 - Meet the Buyer
📍 ExCeL London E16 1XL 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Paid package (price not shown)
Construction
25 Nov 2026
Open
Together Gloucestershire - Meet the Buyer with WSP, Gloucestershire County Council and Ringway
📍 Gloucestershire (venue not listed) 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Free for members / £30 + fees non-members
Construction
26 Nov 2026
Check organiser
GCA Cyber Security 4 - Supplier Engagement (Online, scope and PA23)
📍 Online 🏷 Supplier engagement 💷 Not stated
Technology
26 Nov 2026
Open
Regional Development Conference 2026 (New Statesman)
📍 The Studio, 7 Cannon St, Birmingham B2 5EP 🏷 Conference / summit 💷 Free to attend
Generic
26 Nov 2026
Open
UK Digital Economy Conference 2026
📍 Friends' Meeting House, Manchester 🏷 Conference 💷 Free
Technology
2 Dec 2026
Check organiser
GCA Cyber Security 4 - Supplier Engagement (Online, framework requirements)
📍 Online 🏷 Supplier engagement 💷 Not stated
Technology
2 Dec 2026
Check organiser
THINK Data for Government
📍 One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA 🏷 Supplier / buyer event 💷 Supplier pricing
Technology
2-3 Dec 2026
Open
Social Value Conference 2026
📍 Liverpool (Day 1 online only, Day 2 in person and online) 🏷 Conference / summit 💷 Check organiser
Generic
3 Dec 2026 (to be confirmed)
Check organiser
East London Meet the Buyers
📍 ExCeL London E16 1XL 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Ticketed (price not stated)
Generic
8 Dec 2026
Check organiser
GCA Cyber Security 4 - Supplier Engagement (Online, SME design)
📍 Online 🏷 Supplier engagement 💷 Not stated
Technology
20-21 Jan 2027
Fully booked
Atom Food and Drink Operations - Meet the Buyer
📍 ICC Birmingham B1 2EA 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Check organiser
Food & Drink
20-22 Jan 2027
Open
Bett UK 2027
📍 ExCeL London E16 1XL 🏷 Expo / exhibition 💷 Exhibitor package (educators free)
Education
4 Feb 2027 (to be confirmed)
Check organiser
Public Sector Cyber Security Conference (PDG)
📍 London (venue to be confirmed) 🏷 Conference / buyer meetings 💷 Supplier pricing
Technology
25 Feb 2027
Watch
Counter Fraud 2027 (GovNet)
📍 QEII Centre, London 🏷 Conference / exhibition 💷 Check organiser
Professional Services
16 Mar 2027
Open
Glasgow City Council - Meet the Buyer
📍 City Chambers, Glasgow G2 1DU 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Free
Generic
16-18 Mar 2027
Open
Security and Policing 2027
📍 Farnborough 🏷 Expo / exhibition 💷 Free for approved visitors
Defence
17 Mar 2027
Open
Holyrood Public Sector Data and AI Summit 2027
📍 Edinburgh (venue not named) 🏷 Conference / summit 💷 Free
Technology
23-24 Mar 2027
Watch
DPRTE 2027 - Defence Procurement Research Technology and Exportability
📍 Farnborough 🏷 Expo / exhibition 💷 Check organiser
Defence
15 Apr 2027
Check organiser
LUPC and SUPC Conference 2027
📍 Convene, 133 Houndsditch, London EC3A 7BX 🏷 Conference and exhibition 💷 Exhibitor and sponsor packages
Education
22 Apr 2027
Open
Construction EXPO North 2027 (with Meet the Buyer)
📍 Bolton Stadium 🏷 Exhibition with Meet the Buyer zone 💷 Free for construction professionals
Construction
29 Apr 2027
Check organiser
P4H Scotland 2027
📍 Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh 🏷 Procurement conference and exhibition 💷 Check organiser
Care & Health
May 2027 (UKCW date to be confirmed)
Check organiser
UK Construction Week 2027
📍 NEC Birmingham 🏷 Expo / exhibition with buyer meetings 💷 Free
Construction
16-17 Jun 2027
Watch
NHS ConfedExpo 2027
📍 Manchester Central M2 3GX 🏷 Expo / exhibition with buyer meetings 💷 Free for NHS / on enquiry
Care & Health
17 Jun 2027
Watch
Procurex England 2027
📍 Liverpool (venue to be confirmed) 🏷 Public procurement marketplace 💷 Check organiser
Generic
29 Jun - 1 Jul 2027 (to be confirmed)
Check organiser
LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition 2027
📍 Harrogate (to be confirmed) 🏷 Conference / exhibition 💷 On enquiry
Generic
7-10 Sep 2027
Watch
DSEI 2027
📍 ExCeL London E16 1XL 🏷 Expo / exhibition 💷 On enquiry
Defence
2027 (date to be announced)
Watch
Scotland's National Meet the Buyer 2027
📍 Scotland (venue not announced) 🏷 Meet the Buyer 💷 Free delegate ticket for suppliers
Generic
Want the full tracker with details, booking status and links?
Download the Excel file for all 63 events with extra columns for what each event is and who it is good for.
Download the tracker →
Before you attend

Are you actually ready to bid?

Making a strong impression at a Meet the Buyer event is just the start. When a contract comes to market and you want to bid, you need to be ready. Policies in place. Evidence prepared. A clear understanding of what the buyer expects. Our Tender Readiness Call gives you an honest picture of where you stand and exactly what to do next.

Book a Tender Readiness Call: £125 + VAT →

45-60 min · 1:1 video call · One-off payment