The West Midlands is geographically and economically well-placed to benefit from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games:-
• The Wenlock Olympian Games have been held regularly since 1850 in Much Wenlock, Shropshire. These Games are widely credited with influencing Baron de Coubertin to found the modern Olympic movement. Further information from www.wenlock-olympian-society.org.uk
• Matches in the men’s and women’s soccer tournaments will take place at Villa Park, Birmingham in 2012.
• Shakespeare is an international iconic figure that will be promoted to generate interest in our region around the 2012 Games
Opportunities for West Midlands Business
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) will procure contractors from every corner of the UK,from planning and construction through to service provision and finally de-commissioning. These tender opportunities are open to West Midlands businesses to respond and participate in the success of London 2012.
As the regional development agency responsible for economic development and regeneration, Advantage West Midlands (AWM) leads on maximising the Tendering and Procurement successes of West Midlands’ organisations from London 2012.
Help Available
1) Business Guide
Download your free, 52-page, full-colour “Business Guide to the London 2012 Games”, for West Midlands firms, from the list on the right hand side of this page. This comprehensive Guide gives you all the background to all the opportunities from the London 2012 Games.
2) Sector Reports
A range of 2012 Opportunities Sector Reports are available to download within the 'related documents' section on this page. These Sector Reports are updated monthly, so please check regularly, to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.
Opportunities for West Midlands Tourism
The Visitor Economy is set to be one of the key beneficiaries of the 2012 Games. Our priorities for the West Midlands are to maximise visitor numbers, stay, and spend in the region in the run-up to, during and after the Games; across both leisure tourism and business events related to the Games (all within the framework of the planned VisitBritain national tourism strategy for the 2012 Games).
The Tourism benefits from an Olympics to its host country are anticipated to flow largely after the event, stimulated by world-wide media exposure. 2012 presents an opportunity to attract specific business-related events and sport conferences to the region. For example, The NEC has already secured the Rotary International Convention in 2009.
Other potential benefits from the London 2012 Games are being led by other Partners in the region:-
Cultural Olympiad– Culture West Midland – www.culturewm.org.uk
Pre-Games Preparation & Training Camps, and increasing participation in sport – Sport England – www.sportengland.org.uk
How to get involved
The best way for West Midlands businesses to access opportunities from the London 2102 games is via the ‘London 2012 Business Network’, at www.london2012.com/business
The London 2012 Business Network will help companies compete for business opportunities directly with London 2012, or with suppliers in its supply chain. The Network has three component parts, within a West Midlands’ regional section:-
1) Information essential for West Midlands companies on upcoming opportunities and how to supply London 2012. For example, a free guide prepared by Lloyds TSB bank “Your Journey to 2012 – seizing the business opportunities around the London 2012 Games”, available at http://www.corporatemarkets.lloydstsb.com/2012/business.html
2) Business events taking place in the region related to 2012, organized by Advantage West Midlands, Business Link, West Midlands Business Council, and others. The events will serve to prepare businesses for operational and quality requirements necessary to participate and succeed in the tender process. For example, free Tender Training Workshops. For more information please visit http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/home?site=131&r.s=m
3) The new ‘CompeteFor’ service - a business ‘dating agency’ that will match companies to thousands of opportunities supplying London 2012 contractors. London 2012 estimates they will generate around 7,000 direct contracts. First-tier contractors then appointed will be encouraged to advertise their supply chain opportunities through the system. For example, the Olympic Stadium construction contractor ‘Team Stadium’ opened the service with an advert for their site accommodation cleaning contract. Companies at every level of the London 2012 supply chain will be encouraged to advertise their supplier opportunities through CompeteFor. From this, an estimated 75,000 Tenders will be generated.
If you are serious about winning 2012 business, please register on CompeteFor as soon as you can, at www.london2012.com/business. This is the only place that all available London 2012 Contracts will be advertised.
For more information about the 2012 Games and how West Midlands businesses can benefit, contact Jim Johnston at Advantage West Midlands.