A landmark supply chain gathering designed to connect Scottish SME subcontractors directly with main contractors and industry experts is set to take place on Thursday, 10 September.

Organised by the Skilled Trades Network (STN), the first Meet The Contractor™ event since the network's launch almost a year ago is expected to attract more than 100 delegates from across the construction industry.

The network was established by former Tier 1 procurement manager Pamela Cunningham, who runs Glasgow-based strategic construction consultancy Growth & Performance Solutions, alongside her husband Ross. STN focuses on driving sector collaboration, eliminating barriers for employers, engaging young people, and partnering with schools to promote trade careers.

Taking place at the Dakota Eurocentral, adjacent to the M8, the sold-out, day-long event will include sessions led by major firms such as Kier and Balfour Beatty, as well as framework provider the Scottish Procurement Alliance.

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Alongside structured networking opportunities, the agenda features practical workshops focused on key skills for winning and executing projects, covering bidding strategies, commercial contracts, cashflow management, and Constructionline accreditation.

"It has taken a while to pull this all together but it promises to be a great opportunity for people in the sector to share knowledge and ideas," said Pamela, founder of Growth & Performance Solutions.

"Skilled Trades Network was set up to support SME employers. STN's primary school programme, for example, is introducing the next generation to careers in construction but that only works if the SMEs are in a position to hire. STN supports SME growth through accessible consultancy and monthly sessions with construction experts.

"Meet The Contractor™ is built on that same principle. Rather than a typical 'meet the buyer' type of event where micro businesses meet Tier 1 contractors, whose tenders they're often not even eligible to bid for, Meet The Contractor™ is designed to demonstrate intentional SME engagement by putting subcontractors in front of main contractors delivering smaller-scale projects who need more resource to deliver.

"We have 12 exhibitors - some are small businesses who are growing and some are larger organisations who have projects to deliver and need to recruit competent subcontractors."