London2012 eBulletin - Aug 2006

August 2006

London 2012 Roadshow rolls into North East

It may still be six years away but North East England showed it is already striving to seize the maximum benefits from the London 2012 Games by welcoming a VIP roadshow to the region.

Olympic Triple Jump champion Jonathan Edwards and Minister for Sport Richard Caborn were the star names on board a specially-branded London double decker bus which called at Darlington, Sunderland and Newcastle last month.

They were greeted by enthusiastic talented junior athletes and tasted the region's enthusiasm for the London 2012 Games during a packed schedule of events.

Prime Minister Tony Blair met the roadshow dignitaries in Darlington Market Square - the unusual setting for a game of beach volleyball and a host of children's sporting events.

Mr Caborn also took the opportunity to open a new sports hall at Barnwell Primary School in Sunderland.

Paul Deighton, CEO of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games, addressed a business conference at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, telling regional firms how they can access valuable 2012 Games' contracts, the bulk of which will become available from next year onwards.

The 2012 message was taken to every corner of the UK, with the roadshow bus visiting towns and cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in a 3,000 mile odyssey that began on July 6th  in London's Trafalgar Square.

Stacy Hall, One NorthEast Director of Communications, said: "The roadshow allowed us at the earliest possible opportunity to showcase our sporting talent, facilities and business excellence to some of the key Olympic decision makers," she said.

Judith Rasmussen, Regional Director for Sport England North East, said:  "The roadshow put sport high on the agenda and will encourage people - young and old - to get involved in the run-up to the 2012 Games and start incorporating physical activity into their own lives."

Economic benefits on the agenda at Leeds Summit

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell hosted the '2012 Delivering for the UK' conference at Leeds Town Hall to explore the wider economic benefits of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Representatives from the North East attended the event in July and learned more about business and procurement, preparation camps and the proposed cultural celebrations.

Full transcripts from the summit are available here.

Tourism Strategy for the 2012 Games - a consultation

The 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games provide the UK's tourism industry with big opportunities.

In partnership with VisitBritain and Visit London, the Department of Culture Media and Sport has launched the widest ever consultation of the tourism sector, which will inform a comprehensive strategy aimed at making the most of the Games as a tourism opportunity.
The consultation is aimed at the whole of the tourism industry, the associated public sector and other cultural sectors. A copy of the consultation draft is available to download here.

North East England and preparation camps

One NorthEast in conjunction with Sport England and the British Olympic Association will deliver a short seminar to discuss issues around preparation and training camps.

The seminar will include information on the London 2012 Pre-Games Training Camps Guidelines. It will outline national and regional criteria for facilities wishing to apply for preparation and training camp status.

The event - to be held at County Hall, Durham County Council on September 19th - is free to attend but potential participants (one per organisation) must register their attendance at pregamestraining@onenortheast.co.uk

Potential participants are advised to visit the following site in advance of the seminar for useful background information: http://www.london2012.org/en/gettinginvolved/trainingcamps/

North East England and procurement

The London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games offer the whole of the UK a tremendous opportunity to pitch for new business. Businesses in North East England have the potential to win some of this work by working with contractors and by being part of the supply chain.

Although there will be major tender opportunities primarily in construction and remediation from 2007 onwards, many more sectors of industry will be required to participate in the run up to, during and after the London 2012 Games

You can find out more about opportunities and the Olympic Development Authority (ODA) Procurement Policy on www.london2012.com/business.

In the region, One NorthEast is putting together a masterclass programme for businesses. They are also currently working with a number of regional sector organisations to identify more specific opportunities for local companies to set up alliances. Businesses are advised to contact their local Business Links for help to become fit for procurement opportunities.