West Midlands SMEs invited to exhibit at huge hospital networking day

By Sandwell MBC
schedule21st Aug 14


On Thursday 9 October health sector chiefs, procurement leaders and senior design teams from some of the UK’s largest construction firms will converge on West Bromwich for ‘Meet the hospital bidders’. Local businesses are being invited to showcase their products and services to this prestigious group of delegates by taking up exhibition stands at the event.

‘Meet the hospital bidders’ is being co-hosted by Sandwell Council, Birmingham City Council and Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust at the Bethel Convention Centre in West Bromwich.

Their aim is promote the West Midlands’ supply chain talent to the construction teams who design, build and run hospitals across the globe.

With the recent announcement that a £353m flagship hospital – the Midland Metropolitan - has been approved for development in Smethwick, the event presents an excellent opportunity to showcase West Midlands’ suppliers.

Councillor Ian Jones, Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for jobs and economy, said the timing was perfect.

“Our region’s supply chain is admired across the world. Collectively, our businesses are capable of providing every component and service required to design, build and maintain a 21st-century healthcare facility.

“‘Meet the hospital bidders’ will provide an excellent opportunity for local businesses to show their manufacturing prowess, engineering ingenuity and advancements in medical, science and built-environment technologies to the very people who will soon be looking to procure healthcare-related products and services,” he said.

Councillor Tahir Ali, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for development, transport and the economy, said: “We are delighted to be co-hosting this event, which will serve as a showcase for the very best that the West Midlands’ supply chain has to offer.

“I hope that as many of the region’s businesses as possible will sign up to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to win new business, build strong relationships and demonstrate to the key players in the healthcare world that the West Midlands truly means business.”
Some of the construction world's biggest contractors are already signed up to exhibit, including Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Laing O'Rourke and Skanska.

The event will be opened by former CBI chief Lord Digby Jones. It will include the launch of the West Midlands Virtual Hospital (WMVH) – a 3D walkthrough digital hospital to showcase locally made components, products and services.

Exhibitors are being offered a stand in the ‘marketplace’ area for just £150 + VAT. The organisers hope to facilitate plenty of networking and collaboration on the day. There will be one-to-one meetings between buyers and suppliers, speeches, seminars and a complimentary buffet lunch.

‘Meet the hospital bidders’ takes place on Thursday 9 October 2014 at the Bethel Convention Centre (Kelvin Way, West Bromwich B70 7JW) from 8:30am to 3pm. It is free to attend.

To express your interest in exhibiting, complete the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WMVH (which automatically registers you for the WMVH) and make sure you check the option for the exhibition stand.

If you wish to register just as a delegate (without a stand), complete the survey and then email stephen_massey@sandwell.gov.uk with your details.