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The region’s largest construction conference & exhibition returns on the 7th October

Construction Expo is the region’s largest construction, engineering and design conference and exhibition. In 2014 it attracted over 2,200 visitors, more than 180 businesses exhibited and many major house builders and contractors attended.

Co-located with the Manufacturing & Electronic Expo at the Kent Event Centre near Maidstone, the Construction Expo, sponsored for the second year by Lee Evans Partnership, will see over 200 exhibitors showcasing their products and services. Workshops will focus on social media for the construction industry and BIM as well as two sessions hosted by the RICS.

Free Meet the Buyer

Alongside this there will again be one of the UK’s only completely free “Meet the Buyer” events hosting 22 of the UK’s leading contractors and clients. Including the likes of Kier, Amey, Skanksa, Wilmott Dixon and Balfour Beatty this event offers businesses the rare opportunity to meet directly with the buying team of this large companies.

Conference programme

Lord Digby Jones is the keynote speaker this year and the former Minister of State for UK Trade & Investment will be looking at the tangible opportunities available to the construction sector and the importance of exporting to the UK and its position in the world market place.

Jones is joined in the conference programme by Dr David Hancock, the Government’s Head of Construction who will be looking at topics including after the Government Construction Strategy 2011, improving project capability and the future of Government Construction. Neil Edwards, Chief Executive of the Builders Conference will also be attending and looking at the billions of pounds of projects currently coming online. As well as these specialist speakers there will be an update on the progress of the Paramount Resort Project at Swanscombe including further details on supply chain events scheduled for November.

Jo James, Chief Executive of the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce comments “With only a few weeks to go we are very much looking forward to Construction Expo 2015. I truly believe it will be a highly productive day for all those involved and as the South East continues to be the hub of the construction industry in the UK this event is a must attend for anyone related to the sector.”

About the Construction Expo:

The Construction Expo offers more than purely an arena to exhibit in, it connects businesses, offering high quality, targeted and relevant speakers, workshops and advice that will create tangible results for local, regional and national businesses. Run by the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, a 1,200 strong membership organisation, whose remit is to develop a business environment that is conducive to growth and success across the county. The 2015 event is on the 7th October at the Kent event Centre, Detling, Maidstone.

For more information please contact Carole Black on 01732 758530.

E: bookings@kentinvictachamber.co.uk

W: constructionexpouk.co.uk

5 top tips to make your speed networking session a success

5 top tips to make your speed networking session a success

Most businesses would agree — referrals and face-to-face contact are the best ways to build and nurture business relationships — however, contrary to this many businesses spend many thousands of pounds placing advertising and sending marketing via email or though the post. 

Why you should get involved with speed networking?

If meeting someone is the best way to judge whether you can do business with them why don’t more businesses get involved with networking? Well, for many people it seems to be a little bit of nerves that can keep them away from meetings — so, if a breakfast or lunch seems too daunting how about the best and quickest form of networking — speed networking?

Speed networking is not a new concept, however, in a time when we seem to be spending more and more of our working day communicating online and through email it makes a refreshing and interesting change to your business development strategy. Arguably, speed networking will give you access to more people in one hour than you might normally meet in a month. It’s quite normal to feel a little apprehensive but do a little prep work beforehand those nerves should be calmed.

As ever preparation is key

1. Make sure you have a great opener for each of your pitches — just 10 seconds will do, covering an introduction, what your business is about or what you are looking for.  

2. Try to think about the different types of people and businesses you are going to meet and how you could change your intro to meet their needs — you’ll have far more success if you can slightly tailor your pitch to each person. 

3. Be practical — remember your business cards and a pen to make notes (on the back of each card is a good idea) and remember people’s names!

4. Not everyone is going to seem suitable for you or perhaps be interested in your product or service right now, but, remember to “think outside the box” — the product or service may not be suitable today but what about next month or in year’s time when you have diversified or grown? Consider whether a contact could become a mentor or a partner or a franchisee? The people who gain the most from these sessions are those that are the most open minded. 

5. Although it may seem counter intuitive, do your best to help the people that you meet — try to offer solutions to them and their challenges. You’d be surprised at how this “pay it forward” mentality has helped many businesses — perhaps not immediately but at some point. You’ll impress your new contact and you never know they may well recommend or use you in the future. 

Networking for success

Many of the most successful entrepreneurs are those that have spent their time networking — building trustworthy, reliable contacts across their industry, in support services and a wide variety of geographical locations. Meeting people and developing positive relationships is surely the key to a successful business?

So, hopefully now you should feel a little more prepared for a speed networking session? Well you can book your slot here for the Construction Expo October 8th. And let us know how you get on ……

With the UK house building industry buoyant, a recent report has shown that the market has grown at its fastest level in over a decade. The July data from the Markit/CIPS Construction PMi report has shown that the index has, in fact, dropped slightly but that it was still far higher than the City’s initial expectations. The figures show that UK construction firms are feeling their most confident since before the downturn and that they are increasingly sure of the sustainability of this upturn.

In light of this continued development of the sector the Construction Expo on the 8^th October is once again offering a Meet the Buyer area. Offering sub contractors the opportunity to meet with some of the country’s leading national contractors and organisations to discuss opportunities and the possibility of being able to work together. This is an exciting way for smaller firms to start to build a relationship with some of the most recognised names in the construction industry.

These Meet the Buyer events have number of aims in mind:

• Offering you face to face, timed appointments with larger, national contractors and businesses, companies that you might not be able to access normally.
• Saving you time by enabling
  you to meet with multiple contacts all in one place, on one day.
• Offering you the opportunity to speak directly with key personnel from the business - bypassing gatekeepers.
• Pre-set appointments meaning that you have time to fully prepare your content and portfolio, tailoring your pitch to the business you are meeting.

So far this year contractors such as Wilmott Dixon, Jenner, Skanska, Kier, WW Martin and Coombs have confirmed, service provider organisations such as Kent County Council and Medway Council and Initial are attending and luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin also has a slot. 

As one of the only completely free Meet the Buyer events in the UK take advantage of this great opportunity and book now to get your company in front of these influential businesses.