Lord Digby said: “While the London Olympics are still four years away, major sporting events for 2014–2020 are being decided around the world. 

 

"This represents billions of pounds worth of potential export contracts and I am determined to ensure that British companies are best placed to win these contracts."

 

Lord Digby made the comments ahead of UK Trade & Investment’s Winning Beyond 2012 Conference to be held in Manchester on April 1 and 2.

 

The conference will feature many of the leading figures in the global sports events industry.

 

Lord Digby said: “It is crucial that British businesses realise the unique opportunity presented by London 2012.

 

"We must maintain momentum and use our Games to showcase to the rest of the world our expertise in staging world class sporting events.

 

"The 'UK plc' profile has never been higher in this sector and now is the right time to plan for new international business and success beyond 2012.”

 

Dmitry Chernyshenko, the chief executive of Sochi's successful bid to host the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, will a guest speaker at the event and said significant business opportunities will arise from the Russian Black Sea resort’s preparation for the Games.

 

Chernyshenko will use the event to outline the business opportunities for British companies that will come from the Russian Federal government’s massive $13 billion (£6.62 billion) plan to regenerate the Krasnodar region of Russia.

 

Chernyshenko said:  “I am delighted to take part in this prestigious event. Sochi 2014 will be looking at suppliers from all over the world but there is no doubt that the UK is one of the leading nations in the sports sector and I feel that it is important to use this conference to explain fully just what is involved”.

 

Peter Mearns, executive director of Marketing at the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said it was delighted to work with UK Trade & Investment to bring this major sports conference to Manchester.

 

He said: “Since the Commonwealth Games in 2002, the NWDA has played a pivotal role in attracting major sports events to England's Northwest, such as the FINA World Swimming Championships which are taking place in Manchester in April.

 

"The region recently hosted the UK launch of the London 2012 Business Network, which will help Northwest businesses capitalise on the opportunities presented by London 2012, and this year six world-class sporting events will be held in Manchester.”

 

Other conference speakers confirmed to date include Etienne Thobois, chief executive of France 2007 Rugby World Cup Organising Committee, and Jens Holm, chief operating officer of the World Masters Game.

 

Other speakers will soon be confirmed from London 2012, the British Olympic Association as well as prominent speakers from within the sports world in Africa, Asia and South America.

 

The first day will comprise a series of key note speeches, panel discussions and debates.

 

The second day will comprise a workshop delivered by industry experts that will focus on helping British companies develop practical and strategic approaches to the immediate global new business opportunities in the sports sector.

 

For more information on the conference please visit: www.winningbeyond2012.com Companies can register at the early bird rate of £215 VAT, available until March 1.

 

For event enquiries please call 44 (0) 20 7945 3511 or email: [email protected].