Business Boost From The Olympics
South London business leaders meet in Wimbledon
With just over 450 days to London welcoming the world in 2012, business leaders in South London will meet in Wimbledon to hear about what the Olympics will mean for them.
The May 18 event, which will cover issues such as business opportunities, legacy projects and transport planning, will be held in an Olympic venue – the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
There will be key note speeches from Richard Sumray, Chair of the London 2012 Forum for the London Organising Committee for the Olympics, Giles Long MBE, Paralympic swimming gold medalist and Ian Ritchie, CEO of The AELTC. Mandeville and Wenlock, the Olympic mascots will also be making an appearance.
Costume character business Rainbow Productions, from Prince George's Road, Wimbledon, will share how it has grown through international tendering opportunities and other businesses will be present to tell their story of how they will benefit from the Olympics.
Also to be unveiled is an Olympic legacy project in the making. The "Wimbledon Way" will provide a walking route for people attending the Olympic tennis tournament, as well as an on-going visitor attraction building on the area’s heritage. The project is part of the 3-year Wimbledon Going For Gold campaign aiming to put Wimbledon on the map in the run up to, during and beyond the Olympic Games.
Going for Gold is managed by Merton Chamber of Commerce who are also organising the event in partnership with Go South Go, a South London collaborative project for the London Games.
Diana Sterck (left), Chief Executive of Merton Chamber of Commerce, said: "This event will kick start the countdown to 2012 for businesses in South London. There are so many fantastic projects and ideas in planning stage and this event gives businesses the opportunity to find out what is going on and to get involved in a number of different ways."
Go South Go Chair, Linda Taylor, added: "We have been working hard since 2004 to make sure South London businesses and residents feel the benefits, and that they also have the chance to contribute to hosting a fantastic Games.
"In 2012, we will have the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the Torch Relay coming through South London. With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the year promises to be a great opportunity for businesses in South London".
May 9, 2011