Event Report: Local & Sustainable Construction Exhibition

Part of the University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform events programme, West Sussex’s first Local & Sustainable Construction Exhibition took place at Northbrook College’s Broadwater Campus on the 14th June 2016.

The event was organised by the Sustainable Business Network and held in partnership with Adur & Worthing Councils, Worthing & Adur Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Master Builders.

As part of the afternoon Northbrook College officially opened their new purpose built Construction Centre.

The 20 exhibitors consisted of Sussex based mid-large sized construction firms such as Sunninghill Construction, Ellis Building Contractors and Pilbeam Construction, local innovators with products and services to help reduce the environmental impact of construction industry and business support and trade associations.

Over three hours 120 delegates from a range of industries, including architects, electrical contractors, builders merchants and environmental consultants plus construction students from Northbrook College attended the exhibition to find out about the specialisms and supply chain opportunities of exhibitors and meet and network with others in their sector.

The new event for the Sussex construction sector received positive feedback. One exhibitor remarked: “What a pleasant and well organised event, we thoroughly enjoyed it, met some new contacts and had a good catch up with some existing ones.”

A Tendering Masterclass designed to help small and medium sized businesses hone their tendering technique was also held alongside the exhibition.

The seminar was led by Jo Southernwood of Carbon Minded, with a guest presentation from Adur & Worthing Councils’ Procurement Team.

Jo explained how to find tender opportunities and assess which are worth competing for. For small businesses especially, she suggested that collaborating with another company that has previously delivered public sector work can be a good way win a first contract and get that all important experience.

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The Green Growth Platform supports a thriving and innovative green sector in Sussex through a unique menu of business services delivered by a team of industry specialists, business advisers and university experts. The Platform offers businesses 1-2-1 coaching, events and networking, innovation and R&D support and skills and training.

The Sustainable Business Network is pleased to be working in partnership with the Green Growth Platform to run a series of networking events, site tours and specialist seminars.