Becoming Bid Ready Part 1: Tendering for Airport Contracts — What You Need to Know

About the Event

The Becoming Bid Ready series launches in Luton with an exclusive session focused on opportunities surrounding London Luton Airport.

You'll hear about how to bid less and win more as well as tips and tricks to get you started on winning business through bids and proposals. 

This event will help local SMEs understand how to position themselves as competitive suppliers, navigate the procurement process, and connect directly with the airport’s procurement and supply chain teams.

There is an annual public sector spend of more than £400bn and the Government wants to spend £1 in every £3 with SME's. in the first of these sessions across the series with the guidance of expert Tony Round, Maxim Growth you’ll begin to understand how to get off to a winning start and capture your share of the pot.  He will deal with some of the preconceived ideas that put so many SME's off engaging with this huge potential market and will introduce you to a platform run by the Crown Commercial Service that deals with contracts with a value below £214K.  

Whether you’re a seasoned contractor or new to public and infrastructure tenders, this session will provide the insights and guidance needed to help your business get bid ready for upcoming opportunities.

What to Expect

Join us for a practical, information-rich morning featuring expert speakers, real-world insights, and valuable networking opportunities.

Key highlights include:

• Inside the Process: Learn how the airport’s procurement and supplier framework works and what it takes to qualify.
• What Buyers Want: Hear what contractors look for when partnering with local businesses.
• Q&A Session: Get your questions answered directly by members of the airport’s supply chain and procurement team.
• Networking: Connect with key stakeholders, local authority representatives, and fellow Bedfordshire SMEs.

Who Should Attend

• Local SMEs interested in supplying to the airport or other large-scale infrastructure projects
• Businesses wanting to understand how to navigate public and private procurement processes
• Organisations looking to grow their network and access regional investment opportunities

Why Attend

With significant investment planned across Bedfordshire over the coming years, now is the time to ensure your business is ready to seize new opportunities. This event will equip you with the knowledge, confidence, and connections to successfully engage with large procurement projects.

About the Series

Becoming Bid Ready is a mini series delivered by the South Midlands Growth Hub in partnership with Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedfordshire Council, Luton Borough Council and Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce.

Each session focuses on a different regional investment opportunity — providing local businesses with practical insights, expert guidance, and access to the networks that matter.

• Part 1 (Luton – January 2026): Tendering for Airport Contracts
• Part 2 (Central Bedfordshire – Centre Parcs Woburn Forest, 19^th February 2026): Supplying Major Leisure Developments
• Part 3 (Bedford Borough – March 2026)