Mayor of Paris and Paris 2012 President Bertrand Delanoë, French Minister for Foreign Affairs Michel Barnier, Minister for Sport and Youth Jean-Francois Lamour, and President of the Paris 2012 Corporate Club Arnaud Lagardère will be among the top business and political leaders who will gather at the Hotel de Ville on February 14th to discuss the potential economic effect of hosting the Paris 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Luminaries from the fields of economics, sports, tourism, media, and technology, Olympic experts from Greece and Australia, and the CEOs of the 14 leading French companies that sponsor the Paris 2012 Corporate Club will participate in the Forum. The attendees will share best practices and exchange views on how hosting the 2012 Olympic Games will affect French economic and social life, examine the unique business opportunities brought about by the Games and discuss the Olympic cultural, financial and environmental legacy.

Discussion topics will include the promotion of the French image abroad, the potential for business growth, and how the Games can help promote cultural and social diversity in the French society.

Other keynote speakers will include Henri Sérandour, President of the French National Olympic Committee and Jean-Paul Huchon, President of the Ile-de-France region.

 

Commenting on the Forum, Philippe Baudillon, CEO of Paris 2012, said: "The French business community strongly supports the Paris 2012 candidature. The bid has a solid financial foundation; what’s more, it is tightly connected to the overall strategy of economic development for Paris and all of France. Therefore, we are convinced that hosting the 2012 Games would provide a boost to the economy and enrich social life in the country. We intend to make sure that a 2012 Paris Olympics leave a legacy of sustainable development to Paris and to the Olympic Family".

According to research conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, 42, 000 new jobs and Euro 35 billion of additional revenues would be generated by the Paris Games. The Games are also expected to encourage 4.3 million new sports enthusiasts, including 600,000 new sports’ club members and 1.9 million regular sports participants.

Notes to Editors

About the "Forum Economique des Jeux”"

 

10.10 am-11.30am - The Olympic Legacy: What It Means for the Host Country
- Georges Bolos, Directeur Marketing de l'Athoc (Athens Olympic Games)
- Margy Osmond, President of the Chamber of Commerce for New South Wales (Sydney Olympic Games)

 

2.30-3.30pm – Olympic Games As an Opportunity to Promote the Image Of the Host Country
- Angelo Codignoni, President, Eurosport
- Paul Roll, Managing Director, Paris Tourism Board
- Jean-Claude Blanc, Managing Director, French Federation of Tennis
- Thierry Lardinoit, Professor of the European Chair of Sports Marketing (Essec)

 

2.30-3.30pm – Olympic Games And Implications for Business Growth
- Bernard Bourigeaud, President Atos Origin
- Margy Osmond, President of the Chamber of Commerce for New South Wales (Sydney Olympic Games)

- Bertrand Chammas, President, Gerflor
- René Abate, Senior Vice-President, Boston Consulting Group
- Dominique de Moussac, President, France Sport International Services

 

2.30-3.30pm The Olympic Opportunity to Boost National Participation in Sports
- Stéphane Diagana, Athlete
- Bernard Amsallem, President of the French Athletics Federation
- Edwige Avice, Président of the National Council for Sports
- Dominique Laurent, Sports Director, French Ministry of Sport
- Denis Massiglia, General Secretary, National Olympic Committee
- Antoine Saticq, Managing Director, Adidas
- Béatrice Hess, Paralympic champion

 

2.30-3.30pm Social Impact and Other Intangible Effects of the Olympic Games
- Martin Hirsch, President Emmaus
- André Auberger, French Paralympic Federation
- Jules de Heer, Environment Expert
- Michel Rieu, Sports Doctor

 

About the Paris 2012 Corporate Club
Paris 2012 Corporate Club members include 14 of France’s leading national and multinational companies: Accor, Airbus, Bouygues, Carrefour, Crédit Agricole, EDF, France Télécom, Lagardère, RATP, Renault, Suez and VediorBis. The Club members represent more than 50 percent of the French Stock Exchange and more than 2 million employees around the world.