A major event brings together players from many industries. It is a temporary city, a microcosm of society, that requires power, transport, infrastructure, lighting, project management and so on – many of which are provided by private companies on short term contracts. Coordinating this is inevitably more complex than for a permanent economy with an established supply chain for its services.

Considering the sheer amount of products, services and equipment required to stage a major event like an Olympic Games or a major festival, you would think that it would be easy for any number of suppliers to get involved.

Sadly though, not everyone knows how to access these major event procurement opportunities.

What are the barriers to getting involved in major event projects?

Firstly, when it comes to a mega event like the Olympic Games, they generally involve a large proportion of public funding. This means organisers are under great pressure from the public, amplified by the press, to demonstrate how funds are being distributed.

This can result in protectionism, incentivising domestic companies and making the procurement process less attractive to overseas providers. Or some processes can result in projects being contracted to the lowest bidder rather than the best solution provider.

In other cases, there can be a lack of transparency. Half of the stadiums used for the FIFA 2014 World Cup have come under scrutiny for alleged irregularities and bribery, with officials having been accused of accepting bribes in exchange for contracts.

Other barriers to contract opportunities come from within. A company may simply not have enough contacts or experience in the major events sectors, or the confidence to gain those contacts. While there is not a lot a private company can do about how procurement processes are run, there is a lot that can be done to raise your profile and gain confidence.

Top tips for smaller suppliers

1. Promote your activities through the media. Talk about your event successes at every opportunity – be active and build up a following on social media, engage in conversations, become known in your field.

2. Get involved in events of all sizes. It’s not all about the Olympic Games. Annual festivals and smaller local events provide constant earning opportunities and are easier to establish long-term relationships with.

3. Get Networking. Come to the best events in the sector where you get face to face with buyers. Events like Host City and the Event Production Show are all about the business of hosting major events.

4. Join an association. These can offer great advice and support from other members and confer quality status on their members. For example, Host City 2019’s Strategic Partners are the leading international associations in the event hosting supply chain.

5. Always believe in your soul. You are gold!

[Source: Glasgow 2018] Scottish businesses account for 70 per cent of registrations for future procurement opportunities through the Glasgow 2018 European Championships with more than 538 registrations to date.

During the next few months, a further 17 tendering contracts each with a value of over £50,000 will be available to businesses who have registered with www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk, covering a range of services including ground transport, media operations, audio visual systems and sports equipment.

The number of businesses already registered on www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk for future opportunities include 386 Scottish companies classed as micro or small buwsinesses and 127 Glasgow-based businesses.

The multi-sport event has already awarded nine procurement opportunities covering a total value of £16,500,000.

To be staged every four years, the Glasgow 2018 European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon along with a new Golf team championships. The first edition will be held in August 2018, between 2 and 12 August, in a unique sporting partnership between Host Cities Glasgow and Berlin. Tickets are now on sale at www.glasgow2018.com

Glasgow 2018 European Championships have been working the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) to maximise opportunities for businesses in the city and Scotland. SDP works closely with suppliers to get them tender ready so they have the best possible chance of winning contracts by offering free information, support and information events.

Minister for Public Health and Sport Aileen Campbell said: “This new multi-sport event is the next big thing on the events calendar for Glasgow and Scotland following the best ever Commonwealth Games in 2014.

“Scotland’s visitor economy is worth £11 billion. Staging the 2018 European Championships aligns perfectly with and builds upon Scotland’s national events strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage.

“We are committed to ensuring this major event provides opportunities for businesses in Glasgow and across Scotland by opening up new audiences and markets.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Glasgow 2018 European Championships is already providing big opportunities for businesses in the city and across Scotland – and that will continue over the next year and right up until the start of the event.

“Staging Glasgow 2018 will also undoubtedly boost the city’s global profile as a visitor destination, at a time when almost 30,000 people are employed in tourism and related industries. In 2014, the Commonwealth Games helped attract 2.7 million visitors to Glasgow, generating £687 million for the local economy.”

Sponsorship opportunities that will give businesses the right to associate with the event and receive a rights and benefits package are available. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can find out more by visiting www.glasgow2018.com or contacting the sponsorship team at info@europeanchampionships.com

For more information about Supplier Development Programme (SDP), please visit https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk

[Source: Glasgow 2018]

Glasgow 2018 is pleased to announce the Invitation To Tender (ITT) for Telecommunications and Network Integration Services contracts for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships – an exciting new multi-sport event that brings together some of Europe’s leading sporting competitions.

To be staged every four years the European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon and a new team Golf event. The first edition will be held in the summer of 2018 in a unique sporting partnership between Host Cities Glasgow and Berlin.

Technology represents a critical dependency for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships throughout all phases of the lifecycle, from planning through to delivery, operations and dissolution. Glasgow 2018 is inviting suppliers to respond to the ITT to provide a services solution for one or both lots (Lot 1 – Telecommunication Service & Internet Access Connectivity (WAN Services), Lot 2 –Network Integration Services).

Glasgow 2018 is seeking to engage with companies for these services who not only have the appropriate level of experience, technical and resource capacity, but will also offer a flexible, creative and dynamic approach that is fully integrated with Glasgow 2018 and other stakeholders involved in the delivery of technology solutions for the Championships; collectively helping to ensure that the 2018 European Championships are the very best they can be.

The successful bidder for the Telecommunications Services contract will deliver services critical to Glasgow 2018 and provide vital connectivity to both competition and non-competition venues for the event and for client groups and stakeholders.  Services may include internet access ranging from consumer broadband to high-bandwidth leased line business services; basic telephony services and broadcast connectivity/circuits.

The successful bidder for the Network Integration Services contract will supply both wired and wireless LAN services, as well as Network Integration services to co-ordinate the delivery of technology services. This will include Network Design, Architecture & Security; Network Technology Integration; Network Technology Implementation; Programme Management of network services and Technology Service Management. Wired and wireless LAN connectivity will be required at both competition and non-competition venues to support the range of different client groups and stakeholders.

As part of the inaugural European Championships in 2018 around 3,000 athletes will visit Scotland for six events (Aquatics, Cycling, Golf, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon) while a further 1,500 athletes will compete in Berlin as part of the European Athletics Championships. The event will build on Glasgow and Scotland’s track record of hosting major international events including the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2014 Ryder Cup and 2015 World Gymnastics Championships.

The tender has been published on public contract Scotland. All details and a link to the tender can be found at http://www.glasgow2018.com/get-involved/procurement