LDA event to highlight creative Olympic opportunities

The London Development Agency is planning to stage an event to highlight contract opportunities around the 2012 Olympics for the creative sector at the end of this month.

The LDA is thought to have appointed an organisation with ‘a strong track record of delivering interactive, business-focused events’ to stage its ‘cultural-sector supplier engagement event’ through an official public tender process, following concern from the creative sector about the lack of information on such tender processes and suitable contracts.

The LDA refuses to give details of the date and location of the event, as well as logistics and invitees, despite its imminence. According to the tender document, the event will need to have occurred by 31 March.

According to the tender, which closed last month, bidders should ‘demonstrate an understanding of the needs of cultural businesses in relation to 2012 contracts and how such an event can be marketed to generate attendance’.

A statement from the LDA says, ‘The sessions will give cultural organisations a better understanding of the skills-fund application process, including more information about how to access CompeteFor, which ensures that diverse businesses across the capital can access commercial opportunities from the games.’

It adds, ‘The event will also provide the opportunity to listen to key players about how the capital can create a real cultural legacy following the games.’