Today I had the pleasure of attending Business Link's "Meet the Buyer" conference on behalf of one of my clients. The event was held at the Forest Pines Hotel just outside Scunthorpe, and was intended to help put local businesses in touch with decision makers and procurement bodies in the public sector. In total over 200 delegates attended and were treated to a series of workshops and seminars along with approximately 30 different stands. This event highlighted two very important factors to me, both of which have been covered in this blog in one way or another previously. Firstly, the event organised by Business Link Humber showed how reliant many companies are on cross Humber trading. To me this reinforced the argument for a pan Humber LEP as being suggested by the local authorities on the Southbank. Secondly it was very good to see local authorities and public services companies actively encouraging and engaging with local businesses to ensure that when investment is made in the local community that businesses based in this region are given a fair opportunity to tender and contract for the work. Also interesting to note was the presence of the Federation of Small Businesses and the Humber Chamber of Commerce, of which both bodies are in favour of a pan Humber LEP. Its when attending events such as these that one can begin to understand the vital importance of cross Humber trade and the necessity for a pan Humber LEP when Yorkshire Forward ceases business next March. I was also impressed by the number of delegates from North Bank companies who also attended, and can not help but feel that the bridge toll its self is one of the major contributing factors which could hamper economic growth on the South Bank. I also picked up some more useful information on the Humber Port project by Able UK and will (as promised to some readers a little while ago) put together a comprehensive overview of these plans once financial investors are announced publicly.