For Business
In the space of two years, two of the UK's major cities will play host to two of the most prestigious sporting events on the planet. The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games alone are expected to generate 75,000 business opportunities and the possibilities for the Commonwealth Games which are being hosted in Glasgow in 2014 will also be significant.
To ensure your business can bid for some of this work, two key online portals have been developed;
CompeteFor, launched last September in Scotland, is the recognised portal for all London 2012 Games-related opportunities and the Glasgow 2014 portal which was officially launched on 1st October 2009 but can be accessed now at Public Contracts Scotland gives free access to all public sector procurement opportunities in Scotland.
Both Games will require works, goods and services across all sectors from construction to catering, venue setting, security and technology to sponsorship and marketing. Not all the contracts will be large scale and when you take into consideration the supply chain, these opportunities will be for businesses large and small.
Glasgow 2014 opportunities
Glasgow 2014 contracts will start to emerge in the coming months and build up pace over the next year.
Hosting the Commonwealth Games will showcase Glasgow's people, places and capabilities to a global audience within a Scottish context. It is an opportunity for businesses large and small to showcase themselves to the world, to find new trading partners and to break into new markets, providing more jobs and prospects for the people of Scotland. There will be particular benefits for Tourism, in terms of both additional holidaymakers and business travellers.
Business Club Scotland was also launched in February which gives Scottish businesses the opportunity to extend networks and improve business competiveness using major events as a catalyst to promote business opportunities.
London 2012 opportunities
Scotland can also boast some early success through London 2012 with more than 30 Scottish companies winning and working on Games-related contracts. The most recent success was Barr Construction which won the contract to build the temporary structure for the basketball arena - the third largest on the site.
There is a whole host of contracts out there for businesses of all shapes and sizes to be involved in and compete for. Do not miss your opportunity - register now at the websites above to get your chance to share of this significant procurement pot.
You may find the links below helpful.