The last B2B event was held four years ago – but the need for businesses to collaborate locally has never been more necessary or relevant.
Many businesses advocate for consumers to ‘buy local’, and the message is now resonating within business supply chains. Why should companies need to secure services, products, or goods from further afield when there are alternatives just as good, often with greater knowledge and availability, available on their doorstep. And if that wasn’t reason enough, sourcing locally can reduce supply chain costs, reduce carbon emissions and benefit the local community by supporting local employment.
The Chamber’s current membership of 836 companies represents approximately 95,800 people in the region. However, this is still only a small percentage of the overall business population, which is one of the things that the Chamber hopes to address by bringing businesses (members and non-members) together again in a physical environment to network.
Faye Holland, Chair of the Cambridge and South Cambs Committee said: “CambsB2B is our annual event and exhibition to bring the business community, across all sectors and sizes, together within Greater Cambridge. The one-day event will include a B2B exhibition hall, a People & Productivity Zone, informative presentations on key issues, dedicated advice rooms on key topics, and our legendary speed networking session.”
Faye continued: “Putting together the right programme and testing the updated approach with some of our regular contributors has taken time and effort, and we are thrilled with the consensus to help businesses to be more resilient and sustainable. At launch, we already have commitments from Welch’s Transport, Cambridge Regional College, Baron’s BMW, Sizewell C, Grovemere Property and Anne Corder Recruitment to name but a few, which demonstrates how much our region wants to bolster local business, share experiences, develop talent, build supply chains and help make the B2B community thrive.”
Nel Woolcott, Managing Director of Anne Corder Recruitment – sponsor of the People & Productivity Zone – said: “We are thrilled to be involved in CambsB2B. The last few years have seen many changes in our workforces – due to Brexit, COVID and a resulting requirement for more agile working. In the dedicated Zone, we will have speakers giving ‘quick briefs’ on some of the key challenges employers face, signposting the tools and techniques to help you find, retain and optimise the people in your business.”
Zoe Brennan, Events and Training Manager at Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “I am so excited to be organising this event with the support from our Cambridge and South Cambs Committee, and I am delighted at the interest shown and support given already. It just proves an event like this in Cambridge is very much needed and I’m looking forward to sharing the exciting plans we have in store for the day”.
There will be speakers throughout the day, including experts from Four Day Week, the Energy Savings Trust, Form the Future, Price Bailey, and on the topic of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. The remaining speakers will be announced shortly.
Cambs B2B takes place on Wednesday 22 November between 10.00am–3.00pm at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. To register and find out more information, please go to www.cambsb2b.co.uk or interact on social media using #CambsB2B.
