Northamptonshire businesses are being given an early opportunity to hear directly from Universal Destinations & Experiences about the goods, services and supplier capabilities that could be required as its planned UK resort progresses.
Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce will host the Working with Universal event at King’s House in Bedford on Tuesday September 15. It will be the first event delivered by the Chamber in partnership with Universal.
With enabling works for the Universal United Kingdom Resort already under way, the briefing will offer companies an initial insight into how the development’s supply chain could take shape.
Senior leaders from Universal will explain what the theme park and resort is expected to include, the types of goods and services that may be required and how its supplier engagement and procurement processes are likely to evolve.
They will also set out what Universal will expect from prospective suppliers, giving businesses time to consider whether they have the experience, capacity and standards needed to compete for opportunities as the development moves forward.
The event is open to non-members, enabling Northamptonshire companies to attend alongside members of Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce.
Justin Richardson, chief executive of Bedfordshire Chamber, said: “This is the first event we have hosted in partnership with Universal and it is an important early opportunity for businesses to hear directly from the team behind the development.
“Businesses want to understand the types of goods and services that could be required, how procurement may work and what will be expected of prospective suppliers. This event will help answer those initial questions and allow companies to begin preparing for opportunities that may emerge as the development progresses.
“Attending does not guarantee future work, but it will give businesses a clearer understanding of Universal’s approach and the standards they may need to meet.”
The programme will include a presentation from Universal followed by an audience question-and-answer session. Businesses will be able to submit questions once their registrations have been confirmed, allowing the organisers to identify and address the issues most frequently raised by prospective suppliers.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet members of the Universal team and its partners over light food and drinks.
The Chamber has made clear that attendance does not guarantee future work, inclusion in a procurement exercise or appointment as a Universal supplier. Any contracts will be subject to Universal’s procurement processes and requirements.
The event will take place at King’s House, 245 Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9AZ.
Attendance is free for Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce members. The non-member price is £99 plus VAT.
