How to Win Contracts – Procurement Forum
Over the last four years, the Alberta economy has had to overcome significant challenges with businesses having to withstand the impact. For many businesses, the focus is on how they can find economic stability and resiliency while navigating economic disruptions.
The City of St. Albert conducts an annual survey with the local business community to solicit feedback on operating a business in St. Albert. This year’s feedback centred on the desire to have more business-related events and support around supply-chain, with the intent of improving the availability of local services and products. Our team brought forward an event that would bring the business community together to engage in key learnings about local procurement processes and to network with other businesses encouraging collaboration and opportunities between them.
Sturgeon County is a neighbouring community that has natural synergies with St. Albert. The Sturgeon County Economic Development team had previous experience hosting annual Regional Supply Chain Forums. The St. Albert Economic Development team saw value in reaching out for advice and developed a partnership between the municipalities to collaborate on the event.
The procurement event brought together government agencies and private sector to learn about tactics they can use to stand out in a highly competitive market. Expert panelists shared advice to attendees on how to navigate the procurement processes when bidding, which can be daunting, adding tips and tricks for a successful bid package.
The event took place during Economic Development Week and allowed the Economic Development teams to bring awareness of the support they provide to local businesses and how collaboration can support local business competitiveness. The St. Albert Economic Development team created an Economic Development 101 document that was shared with attendees outlining the various ways local Economic Development teams support and help businesses grow.
During the event, participating procurement experts were paired up with attendees based on their needs. Each attendee determined if they HAD goods and services or NEEDED goods and services and were seated at tables with similar businesses which allowed for more fruitful networking, process and idea sharing.
The following expert panel members spoke about how to position attendees’ businesses as an ideal vendor:
- Procurement Assistance Canada
- Procurement Director, AGLC (Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis)
- Manager Procurement Services, Sturgeon County
- Manager Purchasing Services, City of St. Albert
Outcomes:
The City of St. Albert successfully co-branded/co-hosted an Economic Development event that supported resiliency and growth with local business members.
Forty-five businesses attended the event, gaining insight and confidence on how to prepare a successful bid package with local government and industry.
Networking opportunities were provided for attendees, before and after the event with a post event survey resulting in the following feedback:
- All respondents found the presentation content useful for their business
- All respondents would like more procurement content and focused events
- All respondents feel they made valuable connections to benefit their business.
- Respondents recognized the regional collaborative approach allowed for more shared best practices and networking
- They would like to see future collaborative events with the City of St. Albert and Sturgeon County.
