Growing companies from across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire can discover what it takes to succeed locally at a major business event tomorrow (Friday)

The Business and Technology Centre in Stevenage is hosting a free ‘beat the competition’ event in partnership with the borough council which will include seminars, workshops, networking and business development opportunities.

Centre manager Ros Beattie said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for local businesses to take the next step on the path to future success and really boost their prospects. Local buyers with genuine business needs will be matched with a whole range of local suppliers, providing a massive boost for the local economy.”

More than 35 buyers have completed a survey to establish what products and services they are looking for so they can then be linked with relevant local suppliers – and over 250 contract opportunities will be available on the day.

Suppliers are promised the chance to develop skills to tender more effectively and be better prepared to meet local buyers at the event.

Seminar and workshop topics include:

• Presentation skills

• Creating effective promotional campaigns

• Networking for success

• How to perfect your pitch and close the sale

• Ways to win public sector contracts

• Optimising your PR using social media

• Developing your online presence using simple SEO & SEM

To support the event, the centre is giving start up businesses currently looking for office space or working from home the opportunity to get off to a flying start with a free competition to win six months free office space with the overall prize worth more than �2,500.