business, from local organisations through to global institutions, is backing Birmingham’s bid for the Commonwealth Games
Birmingham 2022 bid team unveils its Business Expo 2022 programme, a five-year enterprise and industry programme to showcase the best of UK industry and business to a global audience
World-class knowledge and expertise from the region’s business schools and universities will be tapped into
The Business Expo will further utilise the internationally recognised NEC, which will host a number of sports during Games time
Birmingham, 25 August 2017: The Birmingham 2022 bid team today unveiled its plans to showcase the best of UK industry and business to a global audience, as part of its 2022 Commonwealth Games bid.
Business Expo 2022, and the associated five-year Enterprise and Industry Programme building up to it, would form a key part of the legacy left by a Birmingham Games. In addition to showcasing the best of UK industry and business to a global audience, Business Expo 2022 will create inter-connecting opportunities between Commonwealth nations and key global markets from the USA, Middle East, China and non-Brexit Europe.
The core elements of the Programme will be:
Business Expo 2022 – a four day conference and exhibition attracting 10,000 delegates from Commonwealth Nations, core markets, core industry sectors and UK sectors, featuring ministerial level representatives and business leaders
Business Expo 2022 Thought Leadership Conference – will showcase new keynote research commissioned specifically for the Expo into: The Future of Industry, Business Opportunities in UK Post-Brexit
Lead-up Expo events – in 2019 and 2021, smaller scale regional expos will combine relevant business themes with a trade fair and conference to showcase the UK as a business and investment destination
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An education and technology programme, linked to the future of industry and enterprise will be developed in conjunction with university partners and school partnerships
Business Expo 2022 will be hosted at the internationally recognised NEC, situated on a site which also includes the Genting Arena with a combined total of 200,000 sq m, it is the UK’s, and one of Europe’s, largest indoor facilities. With expertise in regularly hosting major events, the Expo will take place ahead of the Commonwealth Games, optimising the extent of the indoor space that partnership with NEC Group affords, along with unequalled connectivity and accessibility.
Leading universities in the region (Aston, Birmingham, Birmingham City, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Warwick) provide a wealth of thought leadership in sectors such as Advanced Engineering, Business Professional and Financial Services, Food and Drink, Life Sciences, Technology and Digital, all of which will be leveraged for the programme.
Paul Faulkner, Chief Executive of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and member of Birmingham 2022 bid team, said:
“The business community in Greater Birmingham will fully support this initiative. It presents a huge range of opportunities for all businesses and the bid itself will bring a focus on Birmingham at a time when it is driving its importance on the global stage. The Games are recognised as having the potential to generate in excess of £390 million for the local economy, create thousands of jobs and catapult the region onto the global stage.”
Breadth and depth of support
Support for Birmingham’s 2022 bid comes from a broad range of sectors, including: financial services, legal, property, technology, manufacturing, leisure and entertainment, luxury brands and consumer goods.
The best of British business, from those founded and headquartered in Birmingham through to global institutions with a significant presence in the city, recognise the benefits and opportunities that a Birmingham 2022 Games will deliver. Drawing on their experiences of the city, these businesses believe that Birmingham would deliver a fantastic Commonwealth Games that will benefit the entire region.
With just weeks to go before the decision is made as to whether an English Bid will be submitted, and if so, who will become the UK’s Candidate City, these businesses are urging the selectors to pick Birmingham: the city that is gaining confidence in its role as Britain’s second city; enjoying an economic, sporting and cultural renaissance; and a city focused on regeneration and rejuvenation.
Antonio Simoes, Chief Executive of HSBC Bank plc, said:
“Birmingham is a dynamic city with a strong track record of hosting major events and it would make a fantastic host city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Our roots in the UK began in Birmingham over 180 years ago and we chose the city as the home of HSBC UK’s new head office because of its strong connectivity at the heart of the UK and its ongoing revitalisation.
“We want to build a better bank for our customers and people. A successful bid would be great news for local businesses, the local economy and the Midlands region as a whole.”
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Sir Dominic Cadbury, said:
“The City of Birmingham’s economic and cultural renaissance increasingly attracts global interest and investment. Its prestige institutions facilities services and location make it a world class candidate to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games.”
David Oliver, Director of Corporate Affairs, Mondelez, said:
“Cadbury has a long and deep association with Birmingham and is a major employer in the city. As a company that sponsored the Commonwealth Games in 2002, we understand the power that the Games can have both on and off the sports field. As a young, vibrant and diverse city, we believe Birmingham would be an excellent host for the Games and benefit from the legacy.”
Dr Andy Palmer CMG, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin, said:
“Aston Martin warmly welcomes Birmingham’s bid for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. We have seen what previous Commonwealth and Olympic Games have done for cities in the UK and most importantly, for the people of those cities. With our Gaydon headquarters located in the Midlands, we know what a vibrant part of the UK it already is and Birmingham 2022 will provide further regeneration and rejuvenation to what is already one of the most diverse regional cities in the UK, a city with a unique energy that will only help to ignite another inspirational Commonwealth Games.”
Mark Allan, Chief Executive, St. Modwen Properties PLC, said:
“Standing in the heart of the UK, Birmingham is an inclusive and accessible destination. Its community gives the city its individual energy and vibrancy and this, coupled with the enthusiastic and hard-working culture that runs throughout, provides the perfect backdrop for a wholly successful event.
“It is clear that Birmingham 2022 will regenerate the city in a manner that is transformative to its socio-economic status, not only during the Games, but into Birmingham’s future.
“Therefore we see it as only fitting that this vibrant city should be the place that brings together our Commonwealth.”
Colin Bryan, Chairman at Drayton Manor Park, said:
“Drayton Manor Park fully supports Birmingham in its bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022. The city is well placed to host this occasion in the heart of the UK. Our region is a thriving tourism destination appealing to local and international visitors alike. The prospect of welcoming such a high profile sporting event is extremely exciting and presents many opportunities for the local and regional economy. We wish the bid team every success.”
Mark Beardmore, Senior Office Partner at international law firm Eversheds Sutherland, Birmingham, commented:
“Birmingham would be a perfect choice for the Commonwealth Games and the timing couldn’t be better.
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“The energy, confidence and development of the city are all clear to see. Not only is it a young, vibrant and multi-cultural city, it’s also enjoying a genuine renaissance in advanced manufacturing, financial and professional services, technology and many other sectors.
“Thanks to focused investment, it’s a different place from the Birmingham in which I started my career over 20 years ago. It’s always been a city which loves and celebrates its sport, and – undoubtedly – would embrace the Games and provide a fantastic ‘Birmingham welcome’ to the athletes and fans of the Commonwealth!”
Gordon Wilson, CEO at Advanced, said:
“Birmingham is a thriving and diverse city at the heart of England, and we are thrilled to see it bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
“As a large British business, with strong roots in the Midlands, Advanced fully supports Birmingham’s ambitious plans to stage the games. Winning the bid will not only be great for sport, culture and tourism, but it will also inspire businesses from all walks of life to choose Birmingham as the place to start, grow and prosper. Simply put, it will boost the region’s economy, for everyone.”
The Commonwealth in a City
With its variety of ethnic groups; its transformation from legacy industries to modern commercial powerhouse; and, with people from 180 countries around the world living and working here, Birmingham has become “the Commonwealth in a City”.
To reinforce this, the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce has created a Commonwealth Business Association to reach out to Commonwealth nations wishing to trade with Birmingham based businesses. The scale and scope of the city’s national and international transport connectivity and accessibility put the city in the strongest position to deliver this.
Keith Stokes-Smith, Chairman, Birmingham Commonwealth Association, said:
“The Birmingham Commonwealth Association is keen to advance the Commonwealth movement in the Midlands and having the Games in and around Birmingham will definitely assist us in our endeavours. Like the Midlands community and other Midlands colleagues, we are keen to support the Birmingham bid which will provide opportunities to see world class sport as well as providing volunteering, jobs and business opportunities to the local community.”
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