UK's Global Business Envoys Visit Glasgow to Promote International Sporting Opportunities

A high-ranking delegation of UK business envoys is in Glasgow today to outline the potential for Scottish companies to use the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games as a catalyst to benefit from forthcoming major international sporting events.

A business gathering in the city, where a number of Scottish companies will meet with a delegation of Foreign and Commonwealth Officials, will hear from Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive David Grevemberg where he will urge companies to create a lasting economic and social legacy through securing global contracts at major events.

The 10 visiting officials represent major sporting events which will take place in their countries after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The global events represented include the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Toronto 2015 Pan American and Parapan Games, Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and 2018 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Today's event, which has been organised by Scottish Enterprise and will involve Glasgow City Council, will allow the Scottish businesses and the international representatives to engage directly through a series of meetings, presentations and networking.

The gathering will be told that Scotland has through the Games to position itself to compete on an international stage; offering a high level of knowledge, skills, expertise and innovation. He will encourage businesses to develop a strong vision and focus to capitalise on the showcase that Glasgow 2014 will create for the city and country.

Glasgow 2014 will be the biggest event that Scotland has ever hosted and will put the country on the global stage for major events. Mr Grevemberg will outline the opportunities that the 11 day sporting festival will create for businesses of all sizes across all sectors, and he believes that now is the time for them to raise the bar and strive for international success.

David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive will tell the gathering:

"The opportunities offered by working on Games-related projects means the skills, experience and contacts businesses gained working on these projects will enhance their original skill set, reputation and aspirations.

"The specific experience of working on a major event like the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games could mean the difference between these companies trading solely within the UK or inspiring them to internationalise and compete on a global platform for business at world-class sporting events."

Jillian Moffat, Head of Scottish Enterprise’s Olympic and Commonwealth Games Legacy Team said:

"We see this as a great opportunity for Scottish businesses to build on their experience of major events including London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in to exploit the global sporting opportunity that is worth a staggering 500bn US dollars over the next decade.

"The officials that are here from across the globe are keen to meet and build relationships with those Scottish companies that have the capacity to export their expertise. Scottish Enterprise is committed to supporting Scottish companies maximise opportunities around visits such as this one, and others related to the Games, as well as those presented by other future major international sporting events."

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, who said:

"The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games provides Glaswegian and Scottish businesses with a unique economic opportunity, one that many have already taken advantage of. We would encourage firms to register on the Glasgow Business Portal to ensure they can bid for other opportunities between now and 2014.

"In addition, the forthcoming years will see a range of other massive sporting events present a huge range of opportunities, and the skills developed in helping to deliver the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games can help put our businesses in a strong position to benefit from these other events."

Richard Simpson, Group Business Development Director at Edinburgh-based branding consultancy Tayburn which will be taking part in the event, said:

"To be given the chance to meet delegates from the host countries of these significant global sporting events is tremendous. Tayburn is embarking on an exciting journey of growth and development so an event like this gives our business a platform to make international connections. What is really exciting for Scottish business is the doors that Glasgow 2014 can open now and in the future."

For more information, contact: John MacNeil, Glasgow 2014 Press Office on 030 2014 0134.

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