A new programme of regional events from the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) will give businesses and trade professionals across the UK an opportunity to connect with each other and share advice on how to succeed in international trade.

The IOE&IT Regional series will start at M Shed in Bristol on 11 April, where businesses from the south west of England will get the chance to hear from fellow trade professionals and share insights on local business challenges and broader supply chain trends.

“These regional events are a great opportunity for businesses in different parts of the country to network with each other and to hear more about what IOE&IT is doing to support their trade,” said Paul Brooks, the IOE&IT’s lead for UK nations and regions.

Supply chain focus

IOE&IT Regional: Bristol will have a focus on the supply chain and regulatory challenges faced by businesses in the south west of England.

This will include a panel discussion on how to build resilience against supply chain shocks, featuring local members, IOE&IT’s head of policy, Hemita Bhatti, and David Rutter, a policy lead at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

Rutter in particular will be sharing insights from the UK government’s recently published Critical Imports and Supply Chains Strategy, including how this practically impacts traders.

The event – which is free for IOE&IT members – will run from 9am to 12.45pm on 11 April.

Compliance workshop

The event will also include an interactive workshop run by Andy Bridges, a customs and trade consultant at IOE&IT, focusing on how businesses can manage and optimise compliance procedures.

This workshop will cover some of the regulatory challenges faced by businesses in the region, including export controls, as well as sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) processes.

Networking opportunity

Of equal importance, though, the event will be a great opportunity for businesses and trade professionals in the area to network with each other and with representatives from IOE&IT, says Brooks.

“I’m really excited to hear from traders in the south west region about the challenges they’re currently facing and the support they need from organisations like IOE&IT,” says Brooks.

You can sign up to the Bristol event here, and you can find details of other upcoming regional events in Newcastle, Manchester and Cambridge here.

The events are free for IOE&IT members and cost £49.99 (plus VAT) for non-members.