Infra Talk may not have been able to be held in person but Rail Forum Midlands’ new virtual networking event didn’t disappoint.
With no presentations, no applications and no scheduled appointments, Infra Talk gave delegates a fast-paced face-to-face networking experience.
The event was officially opened by Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of North West & Central Region of Network Rail who welcomed everyone to the event, encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity and gave a brief Network Rail update.
With 390 registered attendees and 21 Tier 1 suppliers, distributed across 8 floors of networking space, delegates were able to move around freely and speak directly with procurement, commercial and project representatives as well as end clients including Network Rail and HS2.
Dominic Hepburn at XYZ commented: “I’ve met two companies we didn’t even know existed and they are just what we have been looking for so it’s been a great ‘fuss free’ event for us.”
Darren Hutchings of SSE remarked: “It was great, I completely forgot I was in these four walls for a couple of hours and really appreciate what RFM have done to pull this together.”
Stuart Bosley, UK Commercial Director, Quinn Infrastructure and event sponsor added: “It was an absolute privilege to sponsor and be a part of such an innovative and refreshing networking event, using a platform otherwise unseen by many, that will certainly be considered a flagship approach for the future. Well organised client and supplier engagement is invaluable and the RFM team continue to deliver exceptional events that keep the wheels of our infrastructure turning.”
Cat Appleby, Membership Manager for RFM, who organised the event, said: “We are extremely pleased with how the event has been received and we’ve had some fantastic feedback.”
“With InfraTalk2 and other events already in planning to replicate this exciting and brand new approach to virtual networking, we are very excited with what 2021 will bring for our members and wider industry. It’s definitely a ‘watch this space’ for key dates and event launches.”
Infra Talk 2 networking event is due to take place on June 24, 2021, with more details to be revealed in due course.
Photo credit: Rail Forum Midlands
