Olympic dreams for Coventry
The Olympic Games will provide a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" for Coventry and Warwickshire as the region aims to make £50m out of holding the first 2012 event at the Ricoh Arena. Tom Clift, the man who brought the games to Coventry, told Insider that the West Midlands had a wealth of attractions to ensure business tourism reached record levels. His comments came as he was named 'Professional of the Year' at the region's ProFirst Awards.
Clift heads up CW2012, where he is the region’s partnership manager for the 2012 Olympics.
The organisation is responsible for capitalising on opportunities arising from the London 2012 Games for Coventry and Warwickshire.
He helped Coventry beat competition from cities across the Midlands to be awarded the right to host 12 Olympic football tournament matches at the Ricoh Arena in 2012.
The football tournaments will be the first Olympic matches to be staged as part of the 2012 games.
Clift told Insider: “My role has really concentrated on maximising opportunities for sports organisations, increasing business tourism and introducing the 2012 Olympics to education and training camps – we really want the whole region to benefit from the games.”
He said that the games could bring about £50m the region.
“We just have to focus on delivering all the projects we have underway to the best of our ability. The games really will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“As a team, we’ve really been trying to raise the profile of Coventry this year – locally, nationally and internationally. We have tourist destinations like Shakespeare’s Globe in Stratford-upon-Avon, the National Transport Museum and several world-class universities – with the Olympics as well, it’s a sure fire tourism boost.
“I think the hard work has definitely paid off – all eyes will be on Coventry as the Olympic Games kick off.”
About 230 people attended the FirstPro awards, which aim to celebrate the skill and expertise of professionals in Coventry and Warwickshire.
Clift was up against Kate Hammond from Coventry City Council, Paul Barne of estate agents Loveitts and Adam Bexon, who works for accountant Stewart Fletcher & Barrett, in the 'Professional of the Year' category at the awards.
The judging panel for the awards was made up by Michael Woodhead, managing director for Eon Sustainable Energy; Peter Deeley, from the Deeley Group; Philip Costigan, partner at law firm Band Hatton and chairman of Coventry and Warwickshire First.
