Domestic Business Opportunities

There is no question the 2010 Winter Games will have a major positive economic impact on British Columbia and Canada. The Games will generate direct and indirect economic development opportunities for Canadian businesses and communities in procurement, tourism, trade, investment, technology, and innovation.

In the lead-up to the 2010 Winter Games, it is estimated that VANOC will spend as much as $2 billion on goods and services to host the Games. Partners, sponsors and other organizations involved will likely spend an additional $2 billion on goods and services of every kind. This spending will allow enterprises of all sizes to capitalize on business opportunities associated with the Games.

The Government of Canada is working to promote awareness and facilitate access to the 2010 business and procurement opportunities available to Canadian entrepreneurs and businesses.

For example, Industry Canada along with Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Province of British Columbia, have created a variety of resources and on-line services to inform Canadian companies about 2010-related business opportunities and how to successfully bid on them.

Industry Canada has held 2010 Business Opportunities training workshops for small business across Canada. In collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, Industry Canada has also created a 2010 Business Opportunities Guide. This handbook can help businesses make the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games their business. The handbook:

• shows the range of business opportunities related to the 2010 Winter Games and introduces the major purchasers;
• explains how the purchasing process works;
• gives practical tips for preparing a successful bid;
• highlights some of the challenges to building a successful bid;
• shows where to find the specific bidding opportunities that best match a company’s capabilities; and
• provides real examples of winning strategies from successful companies.

Specialized information has also been produced by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for Aboriginal companies. Training workshops were held for small businesses in BC and across Canada.

The 2010 Winter Games provide opportunities for Canadian companies to become more competitive in the global marketplace, as companies that obtain 2010 Winter Games contracts and licenses will gain more exposure in the marketplace and strengthen their overall brand.

2010 Commerce Centre (Government of BC)

The 2010 Commerce Centre, funded by the Government of BC, is an excellent source of information on 2010 Games business opportunities within the province. Through its website and offices in downtown Vancouver, the 2010 Commerce Centre offers a comprehensive range of services to help companies:

• find opportunities within the Olympic and Paralympic Family;
• learn how to respond to 2010 requests for goods and services;
• profile themselves as potential 2010 suppliers; and
• identify partners and subcontractors.

Business Opportunities with VANOC

VANOC and its partners are focused on finding goods and services that will help them meet their sustainability objectives in the areas of environmental performance, Aboriginal participation, social inclusion and accessibility.

Business opportunities with VANOC fall into three categories: sponsorship, procurement, and licensing.

Sponsorship

VANOC manages all sponsorship opportunities for the 2010 Winter Games and the Canadian Olympic Team. Businesses can get involved at one of three sponsorship levels: National Partner, Official Supporter and Official Supplier. For more information, e-mail sponsorship@vancouver2010.com.

Licensing

A Licensee is a company or business that has been granted a license to use the Vancouver 2010 brand and trademark on specific products and accessories. To become a licensee, interested parties may be required to respond to a Request for Expressions of Interest and/or a Request for Proposal relating to their product category. To receive notification of licensing opportunities, companies must send contact details and the desired product category they wish to pursue to: licensing@vancouver2010.com

Procurement

Businesses interested in supplying goods or services for the Games should monitor the VANOC and BC Bid websites for information. VANOC will not accept unsolicited business proposals or accept requests from organizations or delegations wishing to make in-person presentations of their goods and services.