Wilben Short, in the 2012 Transport Team, continued the theme and described the scale of the Games. "204 National Olympic countries" ,"9 million tickets","worldwide audience" etc. - mind boggling statistics. Many of the attendees were surprised at the size of the challenge and it really made them sit up and take notice. Some airports have had some experience dealing with major events but not of this magnitude.
Alastair Ruxton explained the challenges around visas and accreditation which helped many in the room to understand the Olympic Language of this area.
It also reminded the control authorities (Immigration and Customs) what had been agreed in the bid - to ensure a fastrack service for some of the Olympic & Paralympic Client group.
My key theme was impacts on the entry points, the first and last impression and impact on the entry processes such as baggage, security and the welcome to the world in 2012.
The feel-good factor that the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will bring for all our people working in the front line at entry points will be fantastic and will help raise standards in service delivery and unite our teams around a common cause.
The diversity of our people will help provide a truly multicultural welcome for the Games as many of our staff are multilingual. (I have started on my Spanish and Chinese lessons.)
Simon Clegg from the British Olympic Assocication (BOA) outlined the expectations for Athletes and the National Olympic Committees and gave us some great insight into what its like for some of the Olympic Client Groups.
He talked about the Equestrian event - "4 legged Athletes" and "747 aircraft converted as stables" to transport them to the Games was a brilliant line and the scale message had made its mark on the audience.
Presentations from Phil Lane, CEO of the British Paralympic Association (BPA) and Clare Strange - a Paralympic Basketball player - described the additional challenges Paralympic athletes face and explained how the transport experience for Paralympians universally needs to be improved.
Clare's message that "simple things can make a big difference" came over extremely powerfully and made a big impact on many of the attendees.
Jonathan Edwards reminded everyone that Athletes train for years to get to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and we need to help them.
Keith Jowett from the Airport Operators Association summed up the day by saying we will only deliver a memorable first and last impression for the Games by working together, everyone in the room agreed.
With 1992 days to go the arrivals and departures group work really started today.
Can't wait for 2012...
My Olympics
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