Local businesses who want to provide products and services for the 2010 Winter Olympics got a host of virtual encouragement this week.
Brian Krieger, general manager of the provincial government's 2010 Commerce Centre, unveiled for Squamish Chamber of Commerce members at the Howe Sound Inn Tuesday (March 15) the Commerce Centre's new procurement database on its website at www.2010commercecentre.com.
The database, which was set to go live this week, will have procurement opportunities for all VANOC contracts as well as Olympic-related projects including the Hwy. 99 improvement project and the Richmond-Airport-Vancouver rapid transit project.
Krieger said they also hope to have major Olympic sponsors such as Bell put their procurement contracts on the site as well as other upcoming major B.C. sporting events, such as the upcoming 2005 B.C. Winter Games in Trail and the 2006 World Junior Hockey Championships, to allow suppliers to hone their skills in supplying goods and services for 2010.
The site will also have a database of winning bidders for major contracts to allow smaller suppliers to pursue subcontracting opportunities and will allow businesses to sign up to be notified of new procurement opportunities posted on the site.
"It's our job to give you the info, the resources and the connections you need to take advantage of those opportunities," he said.They also hope to promote the site to media organizations and international Olympic teams who require local services.
