Events 2012 and Beyond e-newsletter, issue 1

David Sharpe

With Saturday 31 October 2009 having marked 1,000 days until the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, this seemed an opportune time to update you all as to what we have been working on since our first conference earlier in the year.

The team has been working hard on building closer relationships with the key departments within LOCOG, the Mayor of London's office and others including the City Operations Group, who is responsible for much of the logistical planning for London during the Games.

Our key aim is to gather and pass on to you as much relevant information as possible to ensure the events industry can make the most of the business opportunities during the lead up to 2012 and beyond. Through initiatives such as the Fair Pricing and Practice Charter we also want to ensure the best experience for both those holding events in the city and those visiting for one of the world's greatest sporting events.

For those who attended our conference in February, I am sure you will remember that during the discussions many of the organising agents, and particularly sponsors, felt that our group was "well ahead" of many previous host cities in its preparations for the Games. With the memory of the Beijing Games only just fading and the winter Games in Vancouver about to take place, obtaining detailed information about possible needs and requirements has been proving more difficult, although Walter Dobrowolski's update, shows that agents are well into their planning stages.

You will also see from the rest of the e-newsletter that things are picking up pace now with both national teams and sponsors beginning to book event business in London and around the country, and I am sure we will see this increase in early 2010. However, I would urge you to ensure you have your own strategies for 2012 in place and take every advantage of the opportunities that arise.

I hope you will find this update useful and would welcome any feedback on how you are finding the interest in events for 2012 in particular. I anticipate we will be communicating with you more frequently leading up to 2012, and via a new dedicated website which is in the process of being developed. In the meantime, may I wish you the best of luck for building your business in the last 1,000 days leading up to London 2012.

David Sharpe
Chair - Events 2012 Development Group