The Small Firms Association brought over 300 small and large businesses together this week at a special event in the Aviva Stadium.

Business Connect aims to provide a platform for small firms to learn how they can win contracts with larger companies and how to position themselves correctly to deliver value.

Other discussions on the day focussed on how small businesses can standout and differentiate their offering in an increasingly competitive marketplace, as well as how small and large companies can successfully work together in a circular economy and through international supply chains.

This year the Office of Public Procurement will go live with a new eTenders platform and a new circular to assist small firms with public procurement.

Speaking at the event, Chair of the Small Firms Association, Geraldine Magnier said, "Business Connect offers small companies and suppliers’ valuable insights from procurement experts in large companies, State agencies and successful small firms on how to navigate and secure a large indigenous or multinational B2B customer."

She added, "We are delighted to be joined, this year, by Minister of State Ossian Smyth with special responsibility for Public Procurement. Public bodies spend an estimated €18.5 billion a year on goods, services and works."

"There are huge opportunities for small business to collectively increase that spend, by looking at how we pitch our services, greater understanding of the public sector market and by bringing real innovation into our businesses and into what we offer."

Source: www.businessworld.ie