Firms upbeat about Games impact with 100 days to go - Chamber
With 100 days to go until the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gets underway, new data from Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce reveals the majority of the region 's firms expect the sporting extravaganza to have a positive short and long-term impact.
The Games Barometer - in which the GBCC surveyed businesses as part of its Quarterly Business Survey for Q1 - assesses the overall impact of Birmingham 2022 on the region, as well as looking at which particular elements of the Games are of interest to the business community.
According to the survey, 60 per cent of firms feel the Games will have a positive long-term impact on the city-region, with 80 per cent expecting a significantly or slightly positive impact in the short term.
However, 63 per cent said the event would have no impact on their business in the long term.
Eleven per cent of firms survey have been a supplier to a major sporting event in the last decade.
When asked which elements of the Games their business would be interested in learning more about, the top answers were understanding disruption to travel (30 per cent), becoming part of the wider Games supply chain (21 per cent), arts and cultural programmes associated with the event (21 per cent) and how to use the Games to boost employee engagement (19 per cent).
Henrietta Brealey, chief executive of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “We've been tracking local businesses' views on the Games for the past three years to inform both Games stakeholders ' and our own Chamber activity to brief and support our members. As we hit 100 days to go the pace is ramping up for organisers to deliver a Games that makes a positive difference for businesses and residents.
"This is a once in a generation opportunity for the city-region, particularly following the massive impact of the covid pandemic on the city's visitor economy. Our latest Games barometer shows businesses are upbeat about the potential impact of the Games on the region and over a third believe it will have a positive impact on their businesses ' in the short-term too.
“In recent months we 've delivered supply chain webinars and briefings on the latest developments as well as welcoming high commissioners and Commonwealth stakeholders to discuss international trade opportunities for our members through our Greater Birmingham Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce. Using the results of this latest poll as a guide for key topics, we 'll continue to provide the latest intelligence on Games time travel and opportunities for local businesses over the next 100 days too - starting with welcoming Games CFO David Grady as a guest speaker at our Quarterly Business Report event next week. ”
The GBCC 's Quarterly Business Report for Q1 Briefing Event will take place on the 27th April, 5pm (for 5:30pm) to 7pm at Birmingham City University - click here for more information and to register.