Caroline Williams, chief executive, at the Chamber of Trade's B2B networking event at Carrow Road. Photo: Bill Smith

Practical help to give Norfolk companies opportunities is being offered at a new Norfolk Chamber of Commerce event to be held in March.

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‘Opportunities 2012’ will aim to bring the region’s buyers and suppliers together under one roof.

As well as an Open4business event, there will be a meet the buyer event with Norfolk County Council as well as buyer and supplier exhibitions and topical workshops.

The chief executive of Norfolk Chamber, Caroline Williams, said: “We have created ‘Opportunities 2012’ to motivate the wider Norfolk business community during these challenging times and help them understand the opportunities that exist for them, both in new development projects and as part of the local supply chain.

“It also brings together, through the suppliers showcase, solutions businesses are looking for to help them grow. The strength of this event is giving buyers and suppliers the chance to meet face to face in one location.”

The event replaces the chamber’s spring B2B show, but it will continue to hold its autumn B2B show in October.

The Open4business element of the event will enable suppliers to have one-to-one meetings with some of the 35 key regional buyers who are attending. These include a host of public- and private-sector companies, including Blue Sky Leisure, Norfolk Constabulary and Fire Service, RAF Lakenheath, plus a host of local authorities, who are all looking to buy a range of products and services from local suppliers.

Blue Sky Leisure includes Zaks restaurants, Kelling Heath and Woodhill Holiday Parks, Park Home Estates and Imagine Spa in Blofield Heath.

Nicola Badley, environmental and procurement officer, said: “Blue Sky Leisure is looking to purchase across all its areas of business, from retail to general services.

“The key for us in 2012 is to purchase even more from local companies rather than nationally, and this will really help to boost the regional economy.

“We have already started this process and recently changed from national to local suppliers for a number of services.

“The meet the buyer event on 15 March is perfect for us as it will enable us to meet a very wide range of local companies on one day in one place, and this will make our task much easier.”

RAF Lakenheath is seeking everything from medical equipment and professionals, to catering staff, office furniture, church musicians and security equipment.

At Opportunities 2012, the Buyers’ Expo will enable companies to explain to the local community what opportunities there are for local suppliers to work with them.

Companies who have already
booked to exhibit in the Buyers’
Expo include Kinnerton Confectionery, the Norwich
Research Park, EDF Energy and Willow.

Opportunities 2012 will be held on March 15 at Norwich City Football Club, from 10am to 5pm. For more information, or to exhibit, go to
www.opportunities2012.co.uk or call 01603 625977.