My company went along to the London 2012 Business Network event in Belfast on 8 April 2008, organised by Invest Northern Ireland. We are interested in connecting with security companies and building contractors working on the 2012 Games, with a view to partnering on biometric solutions for access control. We have over 10 years experience in this area. During the event registration we met other Northern Ireland companies over coffee and were able to network and make new contacts.
Morag Stuart, Head of Procurement at ODA, shared information on the progress of the construction of the Olympic Stadium, Aquatics Centre and landscaping at London 2012. Most interestingly she told us which main contractors had been awarded work on these projects.
An artist's impression of the Aquatics Centre at Games-time:
Another speaker introduced us to the CompeteFor section of the Business Network and explained how to register our company, search for opportunities and publish our company profile online. We also learned of the criteria that buyers are looking for in suppliers. This will help us to find suitable companies to partner with and give us an edge when applying for tenders. Overall the event was a worthwhile experience that we hope will lead to new business and the opportunity to work on the prestigious London 2012 project.
