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.”