6th Mar 2008
A new online "dating agency" launched regionally as part of the 'Rising to the Challenge' campaign on 4 March at Tattersalls, to East of England businesses to help them find their perfect opportunity to supply the London 2012 Games.
The 'London 2012 Business Network', launched nationally on January 17 at www.london2012.com/business, will help companies in the East of England compete for London 2012 direct and supply chain contracts.
The London 2012 Business Network has three component parts; essential information on upcoming opportunities and how to supply London 2012; business events; and the new CompeteFor service, a business 'dating agency' that will match companies to thousands of opportunities supplying London 2012 contractors.
Up to a fifth of London 2012 supply chain opportunities are expected to go through the CompeteFor system that acts as a brokerage service between buyers and potential suppliers, aiming to open up the London 2012 supply chain.
CompeteFor is co-funded by the East of England Development Agency and will also link companies with Business Link East which will help boost the long-term competitiveness of companies in the region.
The London 2012 Business Network and its CompeteFor offering launched regionally as part of the 'Rise to the Challenge' campaign led by the regional consortia Nations and Regions East which aim to maximise benefits from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the East of England.
Presenting at the "Playing to Win", EEDA event on 4 March 2008, at Tattersalls, Newmarket, Cllr Stephen Castle, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and the London 2012 Games, introduced over 500 businesses to the registration process for CompeteFor. Business Link were on hand to guide businesses though the process. Cllr Stephen Castle, Chairman of Nations and Regions East said:
"This is a fantastic chance for East of England businesses to identify opportunities resulting from the London 2012 Games. The East of England Development Agency, working with Business Link, continues to support businesses and the CompeteFor website which represents a significant investment in the region."
Stephen revealed that so far, 48 companies in the East of England have supplied the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) and over 1000 companies from the region have registered on CompeteFor.
He added the London 2012 Games and legacy offered tremendous potential for the business community in the UK and it was expected more than 75,000 contracts would be procured through the London 2012 supply chain and related work.
CompeteFor aims to build a business network and brokerage service which develops and grows throughout the delivery of the 2012 programme and into the legacy. Businesses of any size can register as a buyer or supplier of Games-related goods and services. Once registered, firms can view opportunities and gain access to Games-related business news and events or post opportunities as a buyer.
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee said: "London 2012 is already providing a unique opportunity for businesses across the East of England to raise their profile and reputation on a global stage. The number of big sporting events coming to the UK, as a result of winning the right to host the 2012 Games could make this a 'golden decade' for major events in the UK and, therefore, for UK businesses.
The London 2012 Business Network and CompeteFor will help companies make the most of the opportunities ahead by ensuring that they are aware of, can prepare for and compete for, the business that staging the London 2012 Games is bringing."
More information at:-
www.competefor.co.uk
