About B2B Expos
B2B Expos runs supplier days for large South African buyers that need a practical, well-managed meeting day with smaller suppliers. We handle the sourcing, vetting, invitations, table set-up, timing on the day and the supplier pack that goes back to the buyer after the event.
What we do
We organise supplier days for large buyers across South Africa, with our base in Johannesburg. Most of our work is for buyers that need to meet small suppliers in a controlled format rather than through a general expo or open public event. That includes mines, municipalities, retail groups and other buyer teams that need the day to stay focused on relevant categories and ready suppliers.
Our job is to make the day useful for the buyer and fair to the suppliers invited. We identify suitable suppliers, check that their offering matches the brief, invite them, brief them on the format, prepare the room, allocate tables and keep the programme moving. After the event we prepare a tidy supplier pack so the buyer can review who attended and what each supplier offered, without sorting through loose papers later.
- Supplier sourcing and screening against the buyer brief
- Invitations and supplier communication
- Table planning and room layout
- Registration and timekeeping on the day
- Post-event supplier packs and follow-up support
The buyers we work with
The buyers we support usually have specific procurement needs and limited time. Some need local service providers near an operating site, some need product alternatives for a regional network, and some need a first pass through smaller suppliers before deciding who should move to the next step. We do not run a one-size-fits-all event. Each supplier day is shaped around the buyer's categories, internal process and venue practicalities.
For mines and industrial buyers, the emphasis is often on site relevance, service reach, stock availability and safety-related paperwork. For municipalities, the focus may be on orderly attendance, document readiness and a clear record of what was presented. For retail groups, the day often needs strong schedule control because buyers may be seeing several supplier types in one sitting. That is where our planning matters most, because ten minutes can go very quickly if the room is not managed properly.
How our team works
We work as a small, practical team with clear roles. Clients do not get passed around without reason. From the first enquiry, one coordinator keeps the brief together and makes sure the job stays on track. Behind that person is the support team that handles supplier checks, venue preparation, event paperwork and the post-event pack.
On event day each role has a job to do, and that helps the programme stay calm even when suppliers arrive early, traffic causes delays or a buyer panel needs a short reset between sessions. There is no confusion about who is checking suppliers in, who is watching the clock or who is updating the attendance record. That sounds simple, but it saves time and avoids the usual scramble.
- The coordinator manages the brief, timeline and buyer communication
- The supplier liaison handles invitations, confirmations and pre-event questions
- The floor lead sets up tables, signage and movement in the room
- The registration support checks arrivals and keeps the list accurate
- The pack administrator compiles the supplier pack after the event
Our premises and working base
We are based in Johannesburg and work across South Africa. Being in Johannesburg helps when buyers need a central planning point, access to major routes and support for travel into other provinces. It also suits supplier days that draw attendees from more than one region, especially when the buyer team is splitting meetings across categories in one venue.
Our day-to-day work is not about a public showroom. It is an operating base where the team prepares supplier lists, checks documents, organises table allocations and assembles the material that goes out before and after the event. For jobs in coastal areas we plan around humidity for printed packs and display material, and for out-of-town venues we build in extra time for delivery, set-up and venue access. We also plan for power cuts where a venue may need backup for check-in devices or presentation screens.
How a job runs from enquiry to event day
A job starts when a buyer sends an enquiry through our contact page. We then clarify the basic brief: the type of buyer, supplier categories needed, expected location, meeting format and any timing limits. Once that is clear we begin supplier sourcing and screening. We look for small suppliers that fit the categories requested and that appear ready to present properly in a short meeting slot.
Before invitations go out, we shape the structure of the day so suppliers know what they are preparing for. Some events work best with fixed table rotations, others with scheduled one-to-one sessions. We brief suppliers on practical matters such as arrival times, table space, samples, documents and how to keep their pitch tight. Nearer the date, the floor lead finalises table plans, signage and flow through the room. On the day itself, our team handles check-in, keeps the schedule moving and sorts out small issues quickly so the buyer team can stay focused on the meetings.
- Brief received through the contact page
- Buyer requirements clarified and event format agreed
- Suppliers sourced, checked and invited
- Tables, timing and attendee flow planned
- Event delivered with active timekeeping and support
Aftercare and supplier packs
Our work does not stop when the last table is cleared. After the supplier day we assemble a supplier pack for the buyer, with the material gathered from the event presented in one tidy set. That gives the buyer a cleaner record of who attended and what each supplier brought forward. It also helps internal discussions afterwards, because people are not chasing scattered notes or trying to remember which supplier sat at which table.
If the buyer needs follow-up support, we help with the next practical step, such as confirming a supplier detail, checking a missing document or clarifying what was presented on the day. We are careful to keep the record organised and useful rather than bulky. The aim is simple: a supplier day that runs properly and leaves the buyer with something they can work from the next morning, not a pile of mixed paperwork. That's where many events fall apart and we know it.
Questions we get asked
Do you only work in Johannesburg?
No. We are based in Johannesburg but run supplier days for buyers across South Africa.
Can you help find suitable small suppliers for a buyer brief?
Yes. We source, vet and invite small suppliers that fit the buyer's categories and event format.
What happens after the supplier day ends?
We compile a tidy supplier pack for the buyer and can assist with practical follow-up where needed.
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Plan a supplier day
Send a note through our contact form with the kind of suppliers you want to meet and where, and our team will reply to plan your supplier day.
Open the contact form