As Head of Event Services, my role is to make sure that all spectators visiting the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics have a fantastic experience.
There are many things that can make the Games experience really special for spectators. Their focus of attention should be on the sporting event, but other factors will come into play that make a real difference to how people enjoy the Games.
These will include getting to and from venues safely and comfortably, the services and facilities we offer, like catering, toilets and information points, how we manage the queuing systems, how they are looked after at the venue, as well as the advice and help they get from our staff.
The Event Services team do the detailed planning work, looking at the layout of venues, and how spectators can make use of all the facilities and comfortably move around. We assess where staff are needed to provide assistance and directions, and the signage required to help spectators make their way around our venues.
Some of our venues are new or temporary, or they have little or no in-house management and may not have held a major event before. Other well-established venues have hosted many major events and have management teams with a wealth of experience. We want to work closely with all of our venue owners to draw on their expertise and knowledge and help us meet the unique challenges of the Games.
Before the Games, we will provide the public with useful information so that spectators know exactly what to expect when they go to an event – such as how to get to the venue, what to bring with them, what not to bring, as well as which facilities will be available to them. This will help ensure that all spectators have a great experience and that they remember the event for the fantastic sport they see and how well our staff hosted them on the day.
We will be working closely with all key stakeholders, such as Transport for London, the City Operations Group, which is responsible for the 'look and feel' of the Games outside the venues, and many other agencies at all our venues, including those outside London. Our shared aim is to provide a great experience for our spectators and a safe and welcoming environment.
What do you think are the key contributing factors to making a great Games?
Having voluntered at the sydney games and seeing how big that site was ,moving the disabled and elderly was a major factor at those games which over looked until the last minute I hope to volunter a bring my experence from 2000 with me
We are wanting to come to the 2012 Olympics and be spectators. What I am getting very frustrated with is that cant find anyway that has started to look at accommodating visitors like us who dont live in London or the surrounding areas. We live in England and want to come with our caravan.We dont know the area so cant tell where we should be looking to be near Olympic Park, although we though some sort of temporary facilities would be built ? I have been trying now for over a year and even now cant find anything thta is been done. The tickets go on sale in spring 2011 and we wont be able to buy them if cant get any where booked. I just keep getting told something is going to be discussed and look on Visit Britain/Visit London.Anyone near Straford can you help ?
How come I see nothing about what bored children (and there will be thousands who get fed uo while waiting for something to happen) are supposed to do. Where are the play areas? And what about the whole Olympic Park? Are there going to be fab play features in the park? Millions live only a short trip away so where do the children play? I've seen some fantastic play areas recently so who is making sure the park has the best play areas in the city? Even I know sport begins with play.....