Pictured: Jim Johnston, London 2012 Business Network;
Simon Tipple, Destination Worcestershire; Kathryn
Wagstaff, finditinworcestershire.com; Peter Pawsey, Chairman,
Worcestershire LEP; Diane Tilley, Director of Planning, Performance
and Economy, Worcestershire County Council; Georgina Smith,
Visit Worcester; Eric Brown, International Trade Director, UKTI and
Phil Gray, Commercial Doctor
Worcestershire's countdown to London 2012 began in earnest this
week when more than 150 businesspeople across the county joined a
special event to find out about business opportunities still
available at the Games.
It was the second highly successful London 2012 business event
to be held in the county - the first was hosted by
Finditinworcestershire last November when 80 local companies took
part.
Hosted by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP),
yesterday's workshop was attended by local firms of all sizes and
sectors. They gained an insight into around 75 contracts currently
up for grabs and more to come with the Games fast approaching, the
legacy related works afterwards and longer term opportunities with
other international sporting events across the world.
Expert speakers from London 2012 Business Network,
Finditinworcestershire, Visit Worcester, Visit Worcestershire,
Worcestershire County Council, UK Trade & Investment and
Commercial Doctor showed attendees how to access information and
capitalise from the £billions of contract opportunities
linked to the London 2012 Games and beyond.
They include local requirements for the Olympic Torch Relay in
the county and Much Wenlock's Olympian Games, post-Games conversion
work on the Olympic Park and new build afterwards, and hundreds
more opportunities to trade internationally with the Glasgow 2014
Commonwealth Games, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia and 2016
Summer Olympics in Brazil.
So far at least 31 Worcestershire companies have won contracts
associated with the London 2012 Games. They include Redditch based
Slick Seating Systems, AMS Group and Alto Seating; Worcester based
NetsWork, KME and Adroit Modular Buildings; and Kidderminster based
Finna Fans and Form Fab.
Worcestershire LEP chairman Peter Pawsey explained it was a
hugely informative event, which highlighted the tremendous Olympic
opportunities still there for Worcestershire companies.
"The fact that we've already got over 30 companies involved is a
clear demonstration of the initiative and entrepreneurial spirit in
Worcestershire.
"Crucially, we've got a once in a lifetime opportunity to
showcase Worcestershire to the world. The Olympic Torch comes into
the county for three days in all with an over-night stay in
Worcester and an evening of special celebrations. It places
us in a unique position in the West Midlands to take advantage of
phenomenal exposure.
"This and other local activities means there are exciting
business opportunities for a whole range of goods and services.
"The Worcestershire LEP and its partners are firmly committed to
maximising this outstanding marketing opportunity for the county
and its wonderful attractions."