Central Beds Council, Luton Borough Council and the NHS are looking to do business with local companies at a Meet The Buyer event later this month.
Despite much publicised cuts to their budgets, the public sector in Bedfordshire remains a powerful buyer of services from tradespeople including builders, fitters, housing repairs experts and materials suppliers.
Meet The Buyer organiser Damian Cummins said: “Latest available figures on Luton Borough Council’s website show that in October the authority procured £20,781,781 from a wide variety of businesses.
“Local businesses should not pass up the chance to apply for work from the public sector.”
Meet The Buyer will take place at the Knowledge Hub, Putteridge Bury, Luton, on January 28.
Pre-selected businesses will be invited to give three 10 minute pitches direct to the buyers on the day.
Businesses have to register their interest before January 6. They will then be paired up with potential buyers, increasing their chances of winning business even more.
Mr Cummins added: “Councils and the NHS are committed to spending their resources in a way that also helps the local private sector.
“I would urge all businesses to sign up as soon as possible for this event.
WThere is nothing to lose as there will be no charge if they aren’t chosen to make a pitch. If they are chosen, then the costs are minimal but the opportunities are great.”
Pre-register free via the website www.lutonmeetthebuyer.co.uk
The Federation of Small Businesses and the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce are partners of the event.