Organised by the BSIA in partnership with the UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO), IFSEC organiser United Business Media and the International Trade Promotion Centre, Meet The Buyers ran on the IFSEC 2011’s opening day in advance of the IFSEC Security Industry Awards.
Formatted as a ‘speed networking’ event, where brief ten-minute introductory meetings are arranged in advance, this year’s edition of the popular event confirmed its extraordinary success and welcomed security procurement specialists from countries including India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Dubai and Nigeria.
Over the years, Meet The Buyers has achieved impressive results, introducing UK businesses to over 1,200 overseas buyers and resulting in almost GB pound 10 million worth of predicted sales.
Positive views from Surveillant Fire
Attending the event for a second year running, Jumade Adejola (representing Nigerian company Surveillant Fire), explained the reasons why this event is so beneficial for companies from overseas.
“My organisation has been dealing with UK companies for a number of years now, but being able to attend and be associated with Meet The Buyers puts us ahead of our competitors. It proves we are serious about forging lasting links with UK businesses.”
Adejola added: “We witnessed a significant boost in sales following last year’s event, and our relationships with UK companies have never been better. Being able to meet people face-to-face always allows for greater networking success.”
Wilf Butcher, CEO for the Association for Specialist Fire Protection, also commented on the rare opportunity provided by Meet The Buyers.
“The event does provide a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with a number of commercial officers from across the world, all at the same time,” enthused Butcher.
“There’s real potential for companies to establish important business relationships as a result of this event, as long as attendees are well prepared and ready to seize the opportunities as they arise.”
Meet The Buyers: mutually beneficial
“I have been attending this event since 2007, and find it mutually beneficial for both Canadian and UK companies,” explained Bernardette Terry, trade officer at the British High Commission in Ottawa.
“Meet The Buyers is particularly useful in making UK companies view Canada as a viable route to the North American market, and is also a great way to showcase UK technology and expertise.”
On the day, Trade and Investment officers from foreign embassies and consulates were also on hand to impart their expert knowledge and advice for those UK companies looking to break into overseas markets and expand their business.
If you’re exhibiting at IFSEC next year and want to be involved with Meet The Buyers, contact Caroline Strickley (via e-mail) for more details: c.strickley@bsia.co.uk
The BSIA’s Export Council is an invaluable forum for companies looking to test the overseas market. Find out more by visiting the website (a dedicated web link can be found at the foot of this page)