Flagship business spectacle to coincide with Grand Depart

The Tour de France’s opening stage will be hosted in the region in July next year. UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and Welcome to Yorkshire yesterday issued a call for companies large and small to get involved.

The festival will run from July 2 to 4, 2014, at the Carriageworks in Leeds, the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, Harrogate International Centre, and the National Railway Museum in York.

Organisers said the focus will be on key sectors where Yorkshire businesses excel, such as food and drink, retail and construction, healthcare, green energy, and gaming.

The organisers have set a target of generating £20m of new business from the festival, as well as building a lasting legacy of long-term relationships.

“In July next year the eyes of the world will be on Yorkshire and we don’t want to miss the opportunity to do business with the millions of visitors, or the chance to bring in key business representatives to meet with, and buy from, local companies,” explained Peter Dodd, of Welcome to Yorkshire, a key member of the Grand Depart delivery team.

UKTI and partners, including local authorities, will lead the festival together with Welcome to Yorkshire. Further information will be announced in the months ahead, but the programme is likely to include specialist conferences and bespoke events.

Mark Robson, regional director of UKTI, said: “The Grand Depart provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and leadership that has put local companies at the forefront of the global race. We are striving to create a flagship business spectacle befitting the arrival of the world’s largest annual sporting event.”

Anyone with event ideas, or who is interested in finding out more, should contact Adele Baig at UKTI on 0113 203 3705 or email [email protected]