ICC CWC 2007 urges regional businesses to make most of opportunity

Regional manufacturers have received a thorough outline of the business opportunities available via ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and urged to avail themselves of "this unique moment in Caribbean history".

Addressing the bi-annual meeting of the Regional Manufacturers' Association in Trinidad last Saturday, ICC CWC 2007 Marketing Manager Damon Leon listed a number of avenues through which regional entrepreneurs and companies can benefit from cricket's premier tournament which will be held across nine Host Venues in March and April next year.

"There have been and will continue to be various open tenders, RFPs and RFQs (Requests for Proposals and Requests for Qualifications) - such as the recent Central Procurement Programme RFQ and the Licensing & Merchandising (L&M) Programme - which have opened opportunities for regional businesses to become official on-site venue concessionaires, caterers, apparel manufacturers and distributors, publications providers and more," he told the audience.

Leon also highlighted other potential business ventures, such as finding niche-market opportunities which would cater to the thousands of visitors who will descend on the Caribbean for the ninth ICC Cricket World Cup - and the region's largest-ever undertaking.

"With the Indian team based in Trinidad & Tobago, and the large travelling Indian contingent of supporters who are expected to come and support the team, persons in the restaurant and hospitality industries here should be considering how they will cater to their guests, especially those Indians who follow vegetarian diets," said the Marketing Manager, cautioning that such zeal must be mixed with a sound entrepreneurial mindset to maximise such opportunities.

The ICC CWC 2007 official also stressed that the public must use their imagination to create attractive extra-curricular activities for the cricket-loving tourists who will be "eager to sample the lifestyle and friendly atmosphere for which the Caribbean is well known".

"What about entertainment options for those people who will be coming to the Caribbean? This is especially important for those persons who may not have match tickets and would have even more time on their hands? Who is looking into possible visitor entertainment in these areas?

"What about parties, day cruises to Tobago, island tours, related sporting events - these are the kinds of activities that visitors will be looking for?"

Leon also gave an overview of the Anti-Infringement Programme (AIP) which will be in force for the Event to uphold the contractual rights of the tournament's owners - the International Cricket Council (ICC) - its commercial partners, official licensees and broadcasters.

One of the major topics of interest related to AIP was the implications which Sunset Legislation would have on the tournament. Businesses and individuals were advised that one of the ways this special piece of legislation would affect them is that companies would not be able to, for example, purchase tickets and use them for promotional purposes such as a prize or for a raffle. He also stated that companies not associated with the Event will not be able to advertise their products by using the Cricket World Cup match schedule.

"Only businesses officially associated with the Event are authorised to use its marks such as the logo, mascot and the tournament name," Leon added.

The Marketing Manager indicated that "the meeting was a success, from the standpoint that ICC CWC WI 2007 Inc. was able to share critical information with some of the region's leading manufacturers, who are vital stakeholders in the region and for the Event".

"It was clear that the regional manufacturers and the wider community have a deep-rooted interest in ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, in particular the opportunities for them to become involved and therefore they want to understand the regulations which govern the tournament, as they relate to what can and cannot be done through aligning their products or services with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007."