More than 200 businesses met at Stansted Airport today (Thursday) for an event which is expected to generate millions of pounds.

The Meet the Buyers event, at the airport’s Inflite Business Aviation terminal, saw SMEs from around the area get the opportunity to speak to a large variety of other firms to secure new business.

Last year’s Meet the Buyers generated £1.9million of new business for participants.

Among the organisations which took part were Uttlesford District Council, Essex County Council, Braintree District Council. Luggage Point, the NHS London Procurement Partnership, Bouygues, Strutt and Parker and Levertech Engineering Services.

Andrew Harrison, Stansted Airport managing director, said: “The last 12 months have been incredibly exciting for Stansted and MAG. We’re halfway through a £260m investment programme and nearing completion of an £80m terminal transformation project to improve the passenger experience and attract new airlines.

“These growth opportunities don’t just benefit MAG but also the 11,000 employees and 200 plus firms on site and the wider business community across the region who benefit for over £1bn worth of regional economic output. We want everyone to share in the success from this exciting chapter in Stansted’s history. This is where Meet the Buyers can help.

“Last year the event generated £1.9m in new sales and business opportunities for local and regional companies. This is an incredible achievement and proven to be an invaluable business and networking event for local businesses. This year, we’re again focusing on ensuring that suppliers get to meet as wide a range of businesses as possible, including key first and second tier suppliers who procure a significant number of services at the airport. Events like Meet the Buyers provide an excellent opportunity for suppliers to meet key businesses from in and around the airport.”

Phil Wilce, of Fomara Print in Southend, said the event was a “unique opportunity”.

He added: “Stansted Airport Meet the Buyers clearly opens the door to new business opportunities and every time we’ve attended it has resulted in us taking on at least two new customers and that’s something we very much intend to continue taking advantage of. It is a unique opportunity for us to grow our business and is first on the list of events we go to every year.”

Stansted Airport organises the event, now in its 15th year, as a key part of its commitment to the communities around the airport.