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VANCOUVER – The Province is establishing a new 2010 Commerce Centre to help businesses and communities maximize the job and economic opportunities that will be created leading up to the 2010 Winter Games, Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister of Small Business and Economic Development John Les announced today.
The announcement was made today at the Spirit of 2010 Business Summit in Vancouver, co-sponsored by the Province in partnership with RBC Financial Group. The Summit was attended by 700 business and community leaders. “The 2010 Commerce Centre will give B.C. companies one-stop access to accurate and timely information about the business opportunities resulting from the Games,” said Campbell. “It will also be a portal for information to assist B.C. companies in developing Olympic-related business strategies and pursuing new partnerships leading up to, during and after the 2010 Games.”
The new commerce centre is part of a detailed procurement strategy also released today by the Province, along with strategies for tourism, human resources and trade and investment.
The first phase of the centre will be a comprehensive website, to be launched later this year, providing a one-stop portal to resources and information on such topics as:
· Procurement opportunities, procedures and evaluation; · Vendor qualification criteria; · Sponsorship, merchandising and use of logos.
In particular, it will feature a business registry of B.C. companies and suppliers. Businesses will be able to register and receive directed information on new opportunities.
In addition, a permanent storefront centre will open in 2006. Regional business development workshops will be held across B.C. and additional programs will be launched closer to 2010, including a business club and corporate hosting program.
The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) will spend almost $2 billion on goods and services during the planning stage of the Games. A further $2 billion in spending is expected by Games suppliers, sponsors and licensees, tourists, athletic teams and official delegations.
“We intend to use the momentum of the Games and the success of our businesses to promote B.C. around the world,” said Minister Les. “The 2010 Commerce Centre will highlight B.C. businesses and emphasize why they are successful.”
Another important role for the centre will be to promote the use of B.C. products and services in venue construction. The centre will incorporate and showcase B.C. wood, technology and other innovative products and services.
In 2006, the commerce centre will play a more active role when the Olympic torch is passed to B.C. at the close of the 2006 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Torino, Italy. At this time the centre will begin:
· Working with other key agencies in facilitating business connections between B.C. companies and national and international companies related to Olympic opportunities; · Directing media to generate attention on all parts of British Columbia; · Hosting trade shows and trade fairs to promote B.C. products and services to upcoming Olympics and other world class and international events; · Facilitate the use of B.C. goods and services in the 2010 Games and other Olympics; and · Working with VANOC to develop approaches to assist businesses plan around the Olympic schedule, security and transportation to ensure continuous business without interruption.
-30- View the International Trade and Investment to 2010 strategy at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/bcgov/content/docs/@2Ic1X3_0YQtuW/trade_strategy.pdf
View the Spirit of 2010 Tourism strategy at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/bcgov/content/docs/@2Ic1X3_0YQtuW/tourism_strategy.pdf
View the Human Resource strategy for B.C. at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/bcgov/content/docs/@2Ic1X3_0YQtuW/hr_summit.pdf
View 2010 procurement opportunities at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/bcgov/content/docs/@2Ic1X3_0YQtuW/procurement.pdf
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