The Rail Forum Midland’s (RFM) 2022 InfraTalk networking event once again didn’t disappoint.
With no presentations, no applications and no scheduled appointments, InfraTalk gave delegates a fast-paced face-to-face networking experience.
The event was officially opened by Simon Blanchflower, CBE, Chief Executive of East West Rail Company who talked about the impact of the pandemic and how the industry will rise to the challenges to become an efficient and affordable railway.
Registered attendees were able to move around freely and speak directly with procurement, commercial and project representatives from the Tier 1 suppliers as well as end clients including Network Rail and HS2. Of the attendees, 75% attended for at least 1 hour and 50% remained on the platform for 2 hours!
“The Rail Forum event was a good opportunity to engage with a variety of suppliers. We really enjoyed the ‘speed dating’ style approach and the platform was brilliant. Great engagement from the suppliers and we were able to hear about some very interesting products, services and solutions presented by some of the SMEs. A really well organised event that encouraged the start of bigger discussions.” Network Rail.
Philip Pauley, Director of Pauley commented “Probably the best networking event I’ve ever attended – as a self-confessed networking recluse I met more potential business leads in 30mins than I would if I had spent the day at an in-person event”.
Cat Appleby, Membership Manager for RFM, who organised the event, said “We are extremely pleased with the success of the third InfraTalk networking event and have received some fantastic feedback.
We would like to thank our event partners, AmcoGiffen and Dyer & Butler for supporting the event and all the table hosts who gave up their time to be available for conversations.”
Event partner, Dyer & Butler commented “We are delighted to have been a partner for this year’s RFM InfraTalk, such a privilege again to have been a part of what is becoming a highlight in the calendar of rail events. Having attended the previous two excellent events, InfraTalk 2022 was once again fast paced and filled with networking opportunities for our sector.
The fact that we can meet such a diverse range of suppliers who can add such value to our future offerings was fantastic. That coupled with attendance from our key clients made it all the more satisfying.
Being able to network with so many suppliers and clients alike, and all in half a day on a virtual platform provided great value, and we look forward to following up with our key clients and those companies that we met.
We must thank Rail Forum Midlands again for bringing together such a wide network into one virtual space that works so well; well done Elaine Clark and Cat Appleby.”
Following the success of this third event we can confirm that InfraTalk will be back on 26 January 2023. More information will be available shortly, but bookings are now open and places can be reserved in advance by clicking here.
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For further information contact:
Elaine Clark – CEO
elaineclark@midlandsrail.co.uk
About Rail Forum Midlands:
Rail Forum Midlands (RFM) is a national industry body with strong regional connections including supporting the nationally and internationally important rail supply chain cluster across the Midlands; RFM has over 320 members providing products and services across all aspects of the industry. RFM actively supports the national rail agenda and strategy, encouraging collaboration, promoting members’ capabilities, leading a number of regional skills initiatives and supporting innovation and export priorities. RFM is owned and governed by its members with a Board drawn from member companies.
