FAQs for Businesses - North Shore Spirit of BC

Frequently Asked Questions for Businesses

Q. Why are the Games a good investment for British Columbia?

A. Hosting the 2010 Winter Games, combined with an expanded Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre could:

Generate up to $10 billion in economic activity
Create 200,000 person years of employment
Help raise $2.5 billion in tax revenues
Bring 10,000 members of the international media to BC
Provide funding to renovate existing facilities/venues and to build new facilities
Bring $20 million in Olympic Live Sites funding to BC's regional communities

Note: These new jobs and revenues expected as a result of the 2010 Winter Games will not just benefit the Vancouver-Whistler corridor. The level of investment is large enough that it generates opportunities for businesses throughout British Columbia. The 2010 Commerce Centre helps businesses maximize their connection to these new opportunities.

Q. What type of business opportunities do the 2010 Winter Games bring?

A. These Games bring a wide variety of opportunities for business and industry. Games-related opportunities generally fit into these categories:

Direct - a BC business can become a supplier or licensee to the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), a supplier on a competition venue construction project or on some other aspect of 2010 Winter Games operations.
Olympic Family - being a supplier to a member of the Olympic Family, such as sponsors, National Olympic Committees, the BC Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat, 2010 Legacies Now or one of the official partner or sponsor organizations.
Major Infrastructure Projects - being a supplier or subcontractor on a major infrastructure project, such as the Sea-to-Sky Highway, Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre Expansion Project or the Kicking Horse Canyon.

Q. How can I get myself and my business involved locally and learn more about potential opportunities that the 2010 Winter Games may bring?

A. In order to take full advantage of local 2010 opportunities, consider:

Connecting with your local Spirit of BC Community Committee
Sponsoring the Spirit of BC Community Committee or other local community events
Volunteering your time and knowledge
Joining your Chamber and/or Industry Association

Q. Where can I go to get up-to-date information about 2010 business opportunities?

A. Much of the information is available at no charge and you are able to get some information emailed directly to your office.

There are many ways to be updated on Games-related opportunities:

Visit the 2010 Commerce Centre website for:
- A listing and full description of business opportunities
- The latest 2010 business news stories
- Tools and resources (how to prepare for opportunities)
- A calendar of events and information workshops
Sign up for the 2010 Commerce Centre newsletter
Sign up for email notification of 2010 Business Opportunities service
Contact your local Spirit of BC Community Committee to ask about Games-related local activities and additional resources. For contact information, please visit: www.2010legaciesnow.com
Visit the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee's website

Q. What will the 2010 Winter Games or other related major projects mean for local businesses?

A. Each company needs to evaluate its opportunity, determine the appropriate level of participation and whether the allocation of resources needed to pursue it complements its long-term business goals.

The 2010 Winter Games offer companies the opportunity to:

Become an officially licensed product provider and:

Leverage the experience to gain access to other major contracts
Gain access to the unique networking possibilities with the Olympic Family (sponsors, suppliers, VANOC, etc.)
Develop a network of subcontractors that could be utilized in the future

Become a subcontractor to:

Leverage the experience gained while working on 2010 projects (while being mindful of VANOC's guidelines and use of Official Marks)
Develop a working relationship with main contractors - gain their confidence and position yourself for future subcontracts with them
Develop the ability to evaluate subcontracts from main contracts

Develop awareness of and access to new business opportunities/bidding processes:

Learn about business opportunities, methodologies and strategies by attending the 2010 Business Opportunities Workshop
Attend other workshops

Note: Visit the 2010 Commerce Centre website for 2010 business opportunities information.

Q. Can I or my company use the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games name, Official Marks and/or Rings?

A. All names, marks and the rings associated with or representing the Olympic Movement are the exclusive property of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and cannot be used without the IOC's prior written consent. VANOC is the IOC's Canadian representative until 2012. Please contact them for further details.

Note: The following website provides additional information about Brand and Logo Guidelines.

Q. What is a procurement opportunity?

A. A procurement opportunity is a business opportunity. Many, but not all, of the business opportunities related to the Games will be decided based on a formal tendering process. Organizations, such as VANOC, the BC Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Secretariat and the various municipalities will put out a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Expression of Interest (EOI) to determine a supplier.

For more information about the business opportunities process, visit: www.2010commercecentre.gov.bc.ca

Q. Where can I get more information on preparing a response to a Request for Proposal?

A. The 2010 Commerce Centre has developed a 2010 Business Opportunities Workshop to help the business community learn more about getting involved with the 2010 Winter Games and participating in the formal tendering processes. You can attend a workshop and receive valuable information and materials. For upcoming workshop dates and locations, check the 2010 Commerce Centre's Calendar of Events.

In addition to the above, the 2010 Commerce Centre website offers a number of resources to help businesses respond to Requests for Proposal (RFP), including a detailed guide and a sample RFP.

Q. Is there a source that lists current opportunities?

A. For easy access, visit the 2010 Commerce Centre website to view opportunities that are currently open and bids that have already been awarded. Detailed information on bids which have been awarded provides website visitors with potential leads on becoming a subcontractor to a supplier that has already secured a Games-related opportunity.

Check open bids or review awarded contracts and bid results on the 2010 Commerce Centre website.