Meet the Buyer

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Meet the Buyer October 2024

SMMT’s Meet the Buyer event will return for 2024. The event will match automotive buyers with suppliers to develop meaningful business connections during this key period of recovery and transition.

The event will be hosted physically at the CBS Arena, Coventry on Thursday 3 October 2024.

How to take part

Step 1 - Express your Interest

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Step 2 - Register to attend

Once you have expressed your interest as per step 1, you will need to register your attendance and any colleagues who will be joining you. You can also purchase exhibition space at the event. If you do not complete this registration step, your company will not be put forward.

There is an event fee of £350 + VAT for non-SMMT member companies, an early bird rate of £250+VAT is available until Friday 28 June 2024. This event is free for SMMT members.

Please note: SMMT recommend no more than 2 people per supplier company attend meetings due to room size.

If you are a non-member company and would like to find out the costs and benefits and why over 800 companies choose SMMT membership, please contact [email protected].

 

 

Step 3 - Update your ASF company information

Please ensure your ASF profile is up-to-date and as accurate as possible. This information will be used by the buyers to choose which suppliers to meet, so ensure your Meet the Buyer profile stands out.

Please do the following:

  • Select which buyer companies you would like to meet with
  • Attach yourself to the product categories which you can supply

These product categories will be updated with buyer companies as they are added to the event. The commodities requested by buyers will be announced in July 2024, following this all commodities will be added to the product categories list in ASF and available to link to.

 

Step 4 – Meeting Matching and On the Day Meetings

During the matching period, buyers will review all suppliers who have expressed interest and select suppliers of interest to meet with. If successful, you will receive an email notification via ASF of the buyer company and the meeting time, you must then accept or decline the meeting. All requests automatically expire after 5 days if not accepted.

All attending companies can request an on-the-day meeting with each of the buyer companies. Once at the event, there will be a QR code available to submit your company for on-the-day meetings, if successful you will be contacted by phone by 2:30pm to confirm.

 

Exhibition Opportunities

SMMT will be conducting VIP tours of the exhibitor area with the Buyers so there is a fantastic opportunity for exposure for those who take a stand.  Please see rates below, early bird rates available until 28 June 2024:

  • Member Exhibition Space: £700+VAT per stand (early bird rate £600+VAT)
  • Non Member Exhibition Space: £1250+VAT per stand (early bird rate £999+VAT)

Key Dates

  Opening Date Closing Date
Expressions of Interest Period 20/03/2024 08/09/2024
Event Registration Period 20/03/2024 30/09/2024
Early Bird Discount Period for exhibition stands and non-member tickets 20/03/2024 28/06/2024
Buyer Commodities Lists Announced 02/07/2024 02/07/2024
Meeting Matching Period 09/09/2024 20/09/2024
Meet the Buyer - Event Day 03/10/2024 03/10/2024

 

Format for the day

Alongside the 1-1 buyer supplier meetings, the event will also include:

  • A plenary session
  • Exhibitions
  • Facilitated networking
  • Seminars and workshops

Key areas of interest

SMMT aims to recruit as many automotive buyers and suppliers to the event, to deliver as much value as possible to the sector. Buyers across ALL commodity areas of interest are welcome, including those responsible for components and capabilities in the following areas:

  • Batteries and energy storage
  • Power electronics
  • Motors and electric machines
  • Infotainment and connectivity
  • Sensors and autonomy

Please contact us at [email protected] if you or your company would like to take part in Meet the Buyer as buyers in 2024.

Questions?

Find frequently asked questions here. If you cannot find the answer, please contact [email protected]