MORE than 1000 local professionals and business service providers are expected to attend a forum to discuss how to capture lost business opportunities next Wednesday.

The forum will discuss data from Bendigo Professional Services Group research and the City of Greater Bendigo’s Business Development unit about the range of business service imported into Greater Bendigo and the barriers that exist for local purchasing.

The research, undertaken by the Economic Research Unit of La Trobe University Bendigo, found that professional services of $189 million per annum were being imported into Greater Bendigo each year.

The research also identified a perception that local companies cannot provide a full range of services required to support complex business and that there is a shortage of business services marketing.

It also found a lack of trust existed and purchasers were concerned about the confidential nature of their business dealings.

The forum will address strategies to improve perceptions of local companies and re-claim the business which has been lost to providers outside the region.

Hosted by Bendigo Professional Services Group chair Geoff Bowyer, the forum will also highlight case studies regarding local purchasing of professional services.

"This is our opportunity as a business community to work together to address this situation.

"I expect that by the end of the forum we will have a clear direction for the future," Mr Bowyer said.

The forum will be held from 3pm to 5 pm on Wednesday at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre, Holmes Road, Bendigo.

For Further information on the forum phone Chris Waites, Project Officer, Business Development on 5434 6236 or c.waites@bendigo.vic.gov.au.