This project, begun in early January 2006, piloted a different approach to developing inter-trading for social economy organisations through a targeted trading event in Scotland. It successfully proved that there is a positive and active market for social business to social business trading.
Details of the pilot project S2S, Scotland's first national Social Enterprise Trade Fair, took place in Perth on 25 April 2006. Fifty social enterprise exhibitors of all shapes and sizes gathered to sell their goods and services; build new business connections and showcase their products and services. More than 500 delegates from across Scotland attended. Partner information The S2S pilot project is a partnership between
Activity to date More than 500 delegates from all over Scotland attended S2S, Scotland's first national social enterprise trade fair organised by the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition and Indigo Project Solutions. The event was opened by Johann Lamont, Depute Minister for Communities.
The main theme of the trade fair was to encourage inter-trading between social enterprises. Like the B2B acronym, which means business to business, S2S means social enterprise to social enterprise. S2S symbolises how organisations in the sector can learn from each other, buy and sell their products and services, and build relationships and network with eachother.
The Trade Fair comprised of an exhibition area displaying the products and services of social enterprises. Running alongside the main exhibition area was a programme of workshops, speakers and panel discussions on topical issues relating to the social enterprise sector.
A speed networking arena allowed a variety of people to meet and exchange information in a fun environment. Headline findings of the S2S evaluation were that:
63% of delegates either did business or developed business leads at S2S
93% of those leads were with other social enterprises
33% of delegates felt that attending S2S helped build their understanding of and capacity to trade.
These statistics reinforce the message that trade between social enterprises can be a key way of growing the sector.
Organisers, Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition and Indigo Project Solutions are delighted with the success of the event and hope to make it an annual date in the Social Enterprise calendar.
Links • Nearbuyou - www.nearbuyou.org.uk Nearbuyou is a national trading network for social enterprises and those that wish to trade with them. It provides a set of tools for truly effective social trading. • Link to S2S 2007 - www.indigops.com
