Small but Mighty: The Suppliers Behind Resilient Supply Chains

09:00–10:00 EDT | 14:00–15:00 CET | 21:00–22:00 SGT | +++ Register here (it’s free!): Registration link +++

This session highlights the strategic value of SMEs in sustainable procurement and risk-resilient supply chains. It brings research, supplier perspectives, and a corporate case study together to explore how engaging SMEs can deliver both business continuity and community impact.

Key discussion points include:

• Research insights on the economic and social importance of SMEs globally and locally, and why they matter for corporate supply chains
• The value SMEs bring to large organisations, including innovation, agility, specialised capabilities, and local expertise
• Common barriers SMEs face when working with large corporates, such as access to capital, payment terms, certification requirements, and onboarding challenges
• A corporate case study from IHG Hotels & Resorts demonstrating how partnering with an SME network mitigated supply chain risk while supporting regional economies

Participants will leave feeling inspired to take actionable steps to integrate SMEs into their sourcing strategies through creative, collaborative solutions that strengthen both resilience and impact.

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• WSPD is run as an SPP community event. We are very happy to bring this event to the global procurement community for free of charge for the 5^th consecutive year. If you haven’t done so already, please consider joining the SPP Community. Your support enables us to  continue delivering events, content and unique opportunities such as WSPD. Join us, if you share the values of The Pledge and our goal of making sustainable procurement the default. https://spp.earth/join/#the-pledge/We grow stronger with every person that joins.
• We have the bold vision of building a global community of procurement professionals engaging in radical collaboration to drive sustainability at scale. Our SPP safe, non-commercial spaces and platforms make this possible – and WSPD is one of these spaces. We ask attendees for active, respectful participation and to refrain from sales pitches and solicitation. Please read and adhere to the SPP Netiquette (spp.earth). And as always, if we can do anything to strengthen SPP spaces for you, let us know.
• The session will be recorded and shared on the SPP YouTube channel: Sustainable Procurement Pledge – YouTube – by participating you consent to being recorded.