Marking the beginning of the two-year countdown to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, the Pace Group was contracted by the Province of British Columbia’s Olympic Secretariat to plan, coordinate and manage the first ever Olympic-related business summit aimed at bringing together official Olympic sponsors with British Columbia’s businesspeople.

The Secretariat operates a business networking service that connects suppliers with Olympic sponsors, sports delegations and others who will be sourcing local goods and services during the 2010 Winter Games. The Province of British Columbia 2010 Business Summit featured sessions on how to maximize 2010 opportunities related to servicing the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

Presenters included Scot Smythe, Senior Vice President, Sponsorship and Event Marketing of VISA International; Brett Goodman, Vice President, Marketing and Business Affairs of NBC; and Peter Franklin, Group Director, Worldwide Sports and Event Management of Coca-Cola. Lord Digby Jones of Birmingham, the UK Minister of State for Trade and Industry also signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the event, confirming a commitment by Canadian and British Olympic organizers to share information as the UK prepares to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in London.

In addition to being responsible for logistics, sponsorship, media relations and event management, the Pace Group was also the overall coordinator for the Summit and was also responsible for the marketing, registration and staffing for this national event.

Objectives
Stage a national-scale business summit aimed at connecting businesses with the opportunities associated with the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Outcomes
The event was hailed as the first of its kind ever to be held in advance of any Olympic Games, attracting 600 delegates, significant positive media coverage, and the attention of BC’s business community leaders.