WEST MIDLANDS BUSINESS COUNCIL

MEMBER BRIEFING

Sydney 2000 - the Games that greatly enhanced the profile not only of Sydney, but of New South Wales and Australia as a whole, generated some £2.5 billion worth of international exposure and an equivalent sum for in-bound tourism spending in subsequent years.

Both Brisbane (470 miles from Sydney) and Perth (1900 miles from Sydney) have continued to benefit from the uplift in tourism and business activity, therefore with the West Midlands region only 100–170 miles away from London, it is clear that it is the responsibility of every one of us to try to ensure that our region can reap similar benefits in years to come.

The West Midlands Business Council is working closely with The Government Office for the West Midlands, The Regional Assembly, Advantage West Midlands and Sport England along with many other regional organisations, to support the London 2012 bid. It is vital that local and national government and all regional stakeholders in sport and business to work together to help ensure that a London Olympics delivers a powerful legacy for the region and the UK as a whole.

Should the London bid prove to be successful, the West Midlands would be well placed both geographically and commercially to benefit from the following opportunities:-

·   Increased business opportunities – new jobs and contracts to supply a huge range of goods and services ranging from construction and manufacturing to catering and merchandise;

·   Hosting world class pre-Olympic events, allowing athletes from around the world to acclimatise and familiarise themselves with the country;

·   Provision of athlete preparation camps for visiting teams from across the globe - 200 nations are expected to participate in the 2012 Olympics and 150 nations in the Paralympic Games;

·   To market the region to a world-wide audience to promote tourism opportunities that encourage visitors to base themselves in the region whilst visiting the Games;

·   The chance to be involved in a mass volunteer recruitment drive – the biggest in UK peacetime with over 70,000 volunteers required to support the 2012 event;

·   To be involved in a national torch relay and cultural programme;

·   The ability to share in wider investment in sports provision and facilities at both the elite and grassroots level.

Decision day for London's 2012 bid is July 6^th 2005, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will announce the winning city that will host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Back the Bid for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games at www.london2012.org.