Building global event supply chains: the foundation for international success

The secret to delivering world-class international events isn’t just about scale – it’s about the relationships you build years before the first delegate arrives. Drawing on lessons from COP26 and COP28, Simon Dunnell, Managing Director – International Projects at Identity, explores why investing in local supplier partnerships creates lasting economic benefits that extend far beyond any single summit.

Having been immersed in the complexity of delivering COP26 and COP28 (and many more besides), I’ve learned that the difference between a successful global summit and a logistical nightmare often comes down to one crucial factor: the strength of your local supplier relationships.

As countries position themselves to host major international events, there’s a critical conversation we need to have about building event supply chains, not just for individual conferences, but for the long-term benefit of national industries and economies.

The reality of scale

Major international summits bring together delegates from around the world, plus representatives from industry, academia, and civil society. We’re talking about events that can see 40,000+ attendees, requiring everything from temporary structures capable of housing world leaders to creative and digital innovation, security systems that meet international standards, and technology infrastructure that can handle global media demands.

But here’s what I’ve learned from multiple international events: the suppliers who truly deliver are those who understand the local landscape, have skin in the game, and have been building their capabilities over years, not months.

The economic multiplier effect

When we invest in local suppliers for major events, we’re not just ticking a procurement box. Hosting major international conferences brings hundreds of millions in benefits to host cities, but more importantly provides a powerful impetus for stronger domestic and regional investment.

Every dollar spent with local suppliers creates a ripple effect. That marquee company doesn’t just deliver structures, they employ fabricators, designers, project managers, and logistics coordinators. That audiovisual company doesn’t just provide screens, they drive innovation in sustainable event technology, create jobs, and build expertise that serves the industry long after the delegates have gone home.

But here’s the kicker: relationships are built from well-connected networks and must be built on trust.

Building capability, not just capacity

The conversation shouldn’t just be about whether local suppliers can handle the scale, it should be about how we help them develop the capability to excel. This means:

Early engagement:Start conversations with potential suppliers now. Share your vision, understand their constraints, and work together to bridge any gaps.

Investment in innovation:Challenge local suppliers to develop solutions that don’t just meet international standards but set them. Host nations have a chance to showcase sustainable event practices that could influence how major conferences are delivered globally.

Knowledge transfer:Partner with suppliers who are hungry to learn. The technical requirements for major international events are complex, but they’re not insurmountable with the right planning and investment.

Regional distribution:Major events offer opportunities to build supplier capability across entire regions, not just in the host city. This creates a more resilient and capable supply chain for future events.

Early commitment: Early commitment enables suppliers to mobilize capital expenditure with confidence, using initial projects as opportunities to develop and refine their offerings.

The global payoff

Here’s what many people don’t realise: suppliers who successfully deliver major international events don’t just gain experience; they gain credibility that opens doors worldwide. Companies that support high-profile global summits find themselves on the radar for major international events, creating export opportunities that benefit economies for decades.

I’ve seen this firsthand. Suppliers who proved themselves on major international conferences are now delivering projects across multiple continents. They’ve built not just capability, but reputation… and that’s something you can’t import.

Starting the conversation now

When a nation secures a major international event, they typically have less than two years to deliver something that meets the expectations of the global community. That timeline might sound generous, but it’s not… not when you’re building relationships, developing custom solutions, and ensuring every element meets international standards.

When engaging new suppliers, the experience of having worked directly with many others over the years allows for trusting relationships to be built quickly as there is a common understanding of the ways of working.

The question isn’t whether any given nation can deliver a major international event – it’s whether they’ll use these opportunities to build event industries that continue to deliver long after the delegates have left. The suppliers we invest in today will be the foundation of our event economies tomorrow.