One year to go: 2022 Games have potential to put region on world map

Businesses are being reminded of the impact the 2022 Commonwealth Games could have on the region - as the one-year countdown to the sporting extravaganza begins today.

The opening ceremony of the Games will take place at Birmingham 's Alexander Stadium on 28 July, 2022, exactly one year today.

The Chamber is marking the one-year to go landmark by highlighting opportunities for the business community.

This includes a Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 Business Hub to signpost firms to all the latest information and activities - click here.

There was a Commonwealth Games flavour to last night 's annual awards, which featured an interview with athlete Nathan Douglas.

Meanwhile, we have today launched a special 'one-year to go ' podcast featuring comments from Birmingham 2022 chief executive Ian Reid, England volleyball players Joaquin and Javier Bello and representatives from several of the host venues.

According to a poll of more than 300 local businesses, conducted as part of the Chamber 's Quarterly Business Report for Q1 of this year, 93 per cent believe the Games will have a positive impact on the city-region and 35 per cent feel it will have a positive impact directly on their business in the short term.

Chamber chief executive Henrietta Brealey said: “We are really excited about the potential of the 2022 Commonwealth Games to put Greater Birmingham on the world map and provide a very welcome economic boost. And based on our surveying, so are local businesses.

“Over the next 365 days the Chamber team are going to be working hard to connect our members in to all of the opportunities that the Games has to offer.

“Our newly launched Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 Business Hub is one part of this, bringing together information and activities on offer from ourselves and a wide range of Games partners in one place.

“It truly is a once in a generation opportunity and we are committed to playing our part in ensuring the best possible legacy for businesses. ”

The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee are marketing one-year to go by hosting a free live sports festival in Centenary Square, Birmingham.

There will also be the opportunity to meet star Team England athletes, and see them in action demonstrating their skills in some of the Birmingham 2022 sports.

Find out more information about the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee 's one year to go celebrations that are taking place today - click here.

To mark one year to go, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce has produced a special podcast.

Scroll down to listen...