Pictured above: John Armitt, Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA)

More than 500 firms from the West Midlands gathered in the Black Country today to learn about the diverse business opportunities emerging from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London.

John Armitt, Chair of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), told delegates attending a business breakfast briefing in West Bromwich about the help available for small and medium-sized businesses in the region in bidding for contracts.

London 2012 will require the procurement of an enormous range of goods, works and services, generating substantial opportunities for guaranteed contracts for regional businesses -invaluable against the backdrop of the recession.

The ODA is responsible for designing and building the Olympic Park in East London, plus the other new 2012 venues around the country.

Over 5,000 companies in the West Midlands have registered at the ODA's CompeteFor website, an online 'dating agency' that acts as a brokerage service between buyers and suppliers.

Over 40 companies in the region have won contracts through this brokerage - and today's event was organised by Advantage West Midlands and the West Midlands Leadership Group for 2012 Games to encourage more companies to sign up.Thousands of London 2012 supply chain contracts have still up for grabs.

In addition to this, 36 companies or organisations in the West Midlands have already supplied the ODA directly.

Mr Armitt said: "We want to help West Midlands businesses take advantage of the opportunities available.

"Companies of all sizes from different sectors across the country have already won work directly with the ODA. While we still have contracts left to place, the bulk of opportunities are now through our contractors and the supply chain.

"CompeteFor is already helping companies access this work and I urge businesses to sign up to get involved in the largest project this country has seen for generations."

Delegates also heard from Olympian David Moorcroft and Morag Stuart, ODA Head of procurement.

Jim Johnston, Advantage West Midlands Business Manager for the 2012 Games, said: "Over 5,000 regional companies have already registered on CompeteFor - and  one of  our messages to companies today is that you have to be in it to win it. 

"The West Midlands has taken more than its fair share of knocks in the recession but this is a great opportunity for companies businesses to show our trademark spirit of enterprise and innovation to win contracts that will secure valuable business, stimulate job creation and help increase sustainable economic growth.

"Today event will hopefully encourage West Midlands firms to join CompeteFor and bid for a piece of the action."

During a two-day visit to the West Midlands, Mr Armitt met key leaders from business and visited successful West Midlands companies that have already won contracts for 2012.

Zaun Ltd is a fencing system manufacturer and installer from Wolverhampton. In August 2008, the company won a joint contract to design, manufacture, supply and install a new high security fence and gates around the 10.5 mile (17km) perimeter of the Olympic Park.

NetsWork Ltd, in Worcester, produces and installs safety netting, and edge protection systems for the construction industry. Successfully completed projects include the extension to Twickenham stadium, Ricoh Arena Coventry and Leicester Tigers new stand.

 The company won a sub-contract from Lakesmere to supply its full range of services during the construction of the Aquatics Centre on the Olympic Park.

RMD Kwikform Ltd, in Aldridge, is a leading supplier of Formwork and Falsework to the construction industry. They are undertaking a large number of contracts on the Olympic Park, working for BAM Nuttall, Balfour Beatty, Skanska and Carillion.