Olympic Opportunities In Emerging Markets

The 2008 Olympic Games were a major milestone not only for China but also for other emerging market countries hosting the Olympic Games. In just a decade, the Olympic venues will include three of the four Brazil, Russia, India, and China (BRIC) countries. And other emerging market countries will bid for future Olympics. Hosting the Olympic Games requires extensive infrastructure in support not only of the Games themselves but also of the influx of visitors. Cities in emerging markets see the Olympic Games as an opportunity to accelerate their existing development plans and as a "coming out" on the global stage. For technology vendor strategists, the Games — from the bidding process to the closing ceremony — provide an opportunity to accelerate business growth in a new region by serving as the coach throughout the planning, preparation, and production of the Games. The most successful technology vendors are those that think outside the stadium and provide innovative solutions that address not only the events themselves but also all that potentially touches the millions of visitors that arrive for the Games — from transportation and hospitality to retail and health.