Fan Parks and Related Opportunities During Major Events

MEI hosted a Major Event Network Briefing on Wednesday 9^th May at which the focus was on fan parks, brand experience, crowd interaction and maximising visitor involvement.  The headline sponsor of the event was Global Games Sports with LCI Productions Ltd joining them as subsidiary sponsors.  Three speakers regaled the attendees with a very visual and informative range of presentations.  Following an introduction by Dennis Mills, CEO of MEI, Grant Horan, MD of Global Games Sports, took to the stage and introduced the audience to the fast-developing world of fan parks, the variety of ways of extending audience attendance and the changing attitudes and perceptions amongst the more traditional quarters of sports and event management.  He was followed by an extremely well illustrated presentation given by Brad Alexander, the Sales and Marketing Director of LCI Productions.  Brad demonstrated his company’s expertise in the use of multi-media and provided the audience with a colourful array of examples showing the effects of the use of a combination of lasers, water, sound, video display and special effects.  Our third presentation was delivered by Teresa Moore, a very experienced speaker and lecturer; she is an acknowledged expert in the field of crowd management, events and music management and is the Research Manager for the International Centre for Crowd Managementand Security Studies.  We heard about her work at Buckinghamshire NewUniversity and of the changing trends in crowd management and control at sport and music events.  The audience participated in lively Q&A throughout the afternoon and it was good to see some new faces as well as representatives from AMS Acoustics and ES Global.  Our next event is a briefing for the Security and Resilience Group and will take place on Wednesday 27^th June and more information on this will be distributed in the next few days.

For more information, please contact Piers Lawson on +44 (0) 20 7934 9008 or plawson@majoreventsint.com

Looking to the future

Dennis Mills’ return from Brazil in late March has heralded a flurry of MEI event activity with both a Brazil Briefing (reported in our last Brazil Journal) and a member’s Meeting (report to members sent last week) taking place in April.  The next Security and Resilience Briefing is taking place at CT Expo on Wednesday 25^th April at which we hope to see some members and following that we are focusing on our next MEN Briefing generously sponsored by Global Games Sports (see opposite) which is taking place on Wednesday 9^th May and at which the focus will be fan parks, brand experience, crowd interaction and maximising visitor involvement.  Brad Alexander from LCI Productions will be speaking as will Teresa Moore from Bucks New University.  Again, we hope to see as many of you there as can make it and do invite your key clients as guests.

Looking further forward we will be hosting our second Brazil Briefing of the year on the 10^th July.  This will be combined with a full MEN Briefing and we hope to have some influential and interesting speakers on the podium for that event.  Focus on ‘Life after London 2012’ and Qatar will follow in September and November.  Our negotiations with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce continue and we hope to be able to announce our first event in Scotland before too long.  We hope to be able to announce our ability to offer discounted stand space and delegate passes at both Expo Estadio (21-23 Nov,  S Paulo) and Soccerex (24-28 Nov, Rio) by the end of the month.  We will be sending out details of our exclusive offer to all members in May.

Finally, please note in your diaries that the next Member’s Meeting will take place in Elizabeth House on Tuesday 3^rd July.  We look forward to seeing you here.

Businesses get enthusiastic about Brazil

On Wednesday 4^th April 2012 Major Events International held their first Brazil Briefing of the year in their offices in  Waterloo.  

The event was well attended and consisted of an introduction to Brazil followed by a detailed presentation describing the ways in which MEI is able to support businesses through promotional activity and intelligence. 

 Virgilio Pereira Guimaraes from the Commercial Section at the Embassy of Brazil was present and was able to add incisive support to the presentations and also added illustrative answers to many of the questions posed by other attendees.  Chris Matthews and Brad Alexander from LCI Productions were present, as was Teresa Moore from New Bucks University, both members of our Major Events Network (MEN) and both with possible aspirations towards Brazil.  

Nabas Legal, with whom we have a close working relationship, were represented by Jose Augusto Gama and Soccerex were represented by Kristian Dobrev and Julian Salas.  Kristian was able to expound on the value of Soccerex as an event in Rio and Piers Lawson of MEI took the opportunity to promote the partnership between Soccerex and MEI and highlighted the opportunities available to companies through this relationship.  

Two companies with on-going plans for work in Brazil were also present.  AMS Acoustics, a member of the MEN and Systems Consultants Services Limited who have recently returned from a mission to Brazil.  Their feed-back and impressions added to a lively and informative afternoon

Fresh From Brazil

After a 3 week sustained programme in Brazil, MEI has returned with unwavering progress.  The visit involved meeting key stakeholders in Organising Committees, Trade Associations, Chambers of Commerce and city and government officials. 

The MEI service of providing advice and reducing the time and risk exposure to working in Brazil was once again proven. With London 2012 soon to be over, helping companies succeed in the South American nation will soon intensify.  We are already seeing a large following and thirst for interest and will build on a solid network of relationships over the next 2 years. 

Addressing concerns about potential delays to the delivery of key elements of the Games,  MEI was told repeatedly that these rumours were unfounded and preparations continue on schedule. 

Whilst this may be true, the wider issue of getting companies “business fit” to deliver hosting services appears to less understood. Small and medium sized domestic companies are being supported by SEBREA through a specific programme throughout all of Brazil, aimed at winning business from 2014. MEI is in discussions with SEBREA in Rio De Janero about providing core service support which will include connecting international companies to potential partners locally. 

Individual cities are also looking at their own preparations and MEI met Sao Paulo Tourism to discuss how to best attract international profile and connections.

MEI’s latest mission to Brazil still proves that business opportunities continue to grow and not just as a result of the up and coming major events. It is for this reason that MEI encourages companies to get involved in commercial activities as early as possible to gain a foothold in the market which helps drive revenue, experience and market profile, leading to better decision making about future plans for the Games.  Our collaboration with Nabas Legal, the leading experts at supporting companies internationally, means that everything a new entry company needs can easily be accessed through MEI. Our support can come in the form of workshops to help develop plans, local representation in Rio and Sao Paulo or virtual office business support options.

Security and Resilience (S&R) Briefing – Tuesday 28th February 2012

The first Security and Resilience Briefing (SRB) was held at our offices in Waterloo on 28th February 2012.

The briefing was chaired by Chris Phillips, MEI’s Security and Resilience Associate and was attended by twelve delegates representing various SME’s in the S&R sector and the Metropolitan Police.  Sadly, Steve Revell, from Rapiscan was unable to join us as a speaker but Paul Donlevey, from the National Counter Terrorism Security Office gave us a fascinating insight into Project Argus Major Events.

The briefing began with a period of introductions.  Everyone around the table was given the opportunity to promote themselves and their business.  This was followed by an introduction to MEI given by Piers Lawson, the Client Relationship Director, which included a brief on the Major Event Network and the reasons behind the launch of the S&RBriefings.  He expounded the value of the MEI website and guided the attendees towards the Forecast of Events and the Suppliers Directory.  Piers also explained that the real purpose behind these briefings was to pass on procurement and bid opportunities associated with primarily Glasgow 2014 and the major events in Brazil in 2014 and 2016 but also major events taking place in UK, Russia and Qatar over the next 10 years.  He explained that there were no security related opportunities connected to the major events in Brazil in the pipeline at this time but that they would start to come to light later in the year.

Paul Donlevey then spoke about his work at NaCTSO and in particular his leadership and application of the ARGUS programme with particular reference to Major Events.  With the enhancement of some video film he demonstrated the responsibilities and activities of NaCTSO in relation to major events with specific application in the lead-up to London 2012.  This was a revealing presentation and made us all consider the massive security challenge that an event such as the Olympics presents to the police.

The afternoon came to a close after a brief discussion leading on from Paul’s presentation and some other issues presented by both Chris Phillips and Dennis Mills, CEO of MEI.  Piers Lawson then brought the briefing to a close with a reminder of the next meeting being held in Olympia at CT Expo (see www.counterterrorexpo.com) on Wednesday 25^th April.

MEI is a media partner of CT Expo.  This relationship gives us the opportunity to offer discounted conference access and stand purchase.  Should you wish to make use of this discount please use the discount code CTX20 on your application form (see website).  Individual delegate access is FREE and you should apply on-line at www.counterterroexpo.com/meireg.  However, please indicate that you were made aware of CT Expo by MEI in the appropriate box.

MEI In Scotland

With so many exciting major events due to take place in Scotland throughout this decade, MEI has been busy behind the scenes growing its network of vital Scottish contacts.

Dialogue has been opened up with Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Development International, BusinessClub Scotland and the Edinburgh and Glasgow Chambers of Commerce to discuss the optimum way forward for our existing and new members.

One of the most important recent developments has been the launch of the Glasgow Business Portal, listing upcoming contracts for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.  As well as current opportunities, you can also see what contracts have now closed and already been awarded.  Check the portal link now to see if any there are any contracts you should be bidding for!  Opportunities are updated on a regular basis so it is worth coming back to. www.glasgow.gov.uk/businessportal

In addition to Glasgow 2014, the following Scotland-based events present further business opportunities:

2014          Ryder Cup, 26 to 28 September, Gleneagles

                 

                         Homecoming Scotland, all year, countrywide

2015          World Artistic Gymnastic Championships, Glasgow Hydro Arena

     

                   World Orienteering Championships, August, Inverness

Hot off the Press: The British Olympic Association has just announced its support for Glasgow’s bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, further boosting Glasgow’s reputation as a serious contender on the international sporting stage.