1. Beijing 2008 Supplier Sponsorship Program officially launched
The Beijing Organizing Committee for XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) officially released the Beijing 2008 Supplier Sponsorship Program here on Dec 12, 2005 marking the third phase of its sponsorship program "Beijing 2008 Supplier Sponsorship Program is an important component of the Beijing Olympic Games Marking Program," said Wang Wei, BOCOG executive vice-president and secretary-general, at a press conference held for the release of the program.
Wang expressed hopes that companies take advantage of this precious opportunity and actively participate in the program. He further emphasized that this program would enable business community to contribute to the success of the Beijing Games, enhance the value of their brands, promote efficiency, and create an environment for further development.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Marketing Plan consists of the Sponsorship Program, the Licensing Program, and the Ticketing Program. The Supplier Sponsorship Program launched is the third tier of the Sponsorship Program. Suppliership is composed of two groups: exclusive suppliers and suppliers. The former enjoys exclusive Olympic marketing rights within their designated product/service category, while two or more suppliers in the same or similar product/service category can enjoy co-exclusive Olympic marketing rights.
Yuan Bin, director of BOCOG Marketing Department, noted that suppliers would enjoy a rights and benefits in return for their contributions to the Games, including the use of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) trademarks and symbols in marketing activities, as well as Supplier designations of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, COC, and Chinese Olympic teams.
"Suppliers are entitled to conduct Olympic Marketing activities in the context of their respective product categories. Not only will their products and services be used in the Beijing Olympic Games, but they will also granted hospitality packages and VIP treatment including Olympic Torch Relay bearer slots, tickets for the Opening/Closing ceremonies and competitions, accreditations, transportation and accommodation, etc." Yuan added.BOCOG will run recognition and anti-ambush programs to protect and promote the interests of Suppliers.
In order to successfully carry out the program, BOCOG has conducted extensive marketing research across a wide range of the industries including ticketing services, building materials, newspaper and magazine, office equipment, paper products, furniture, gas appliances, office supplies, publishing and printing services, convenient food, chocolate, candies, wine, tyre, language training services, sports equipment, gym equipment etc. Apart from the above-mentioned categories, companies in other industries, whose products and services satisfy Beijing Games' needs and do not conflict with existing sponsors' product categories, can also become Suppliers of the Games.
2. BOCOG Calls For Design Proposals For Olympic Torch
Organizers of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are soon to launch a global campaign to solicit design proposals for the torch for the Beijing Games.
At a press conference held in the Beijing Olympic Media Centre, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) announced that the solicitation will begin on December 6, 2005 and ends on February 2, 2006.
"Our concepts for the torch design are 'glory and dream, tradition and modernity, culture and harmony',” explained Zhang Ming, deputy director of BOCOG's Culture and Ceremonies Department, at the press conference. "Design proposals for the Beijing Olympic torch should artistically interpret and express these concepts."
According to Zhang, submissions are also expected to display the distinguishing features of the Beijing Games, namely "Chinese style, cultural splendor and contemporary spirit", and “ fully demonstrate the vitality and passion of the torchbearers.”
BOCOG also requires that the proposed designs be original and creative, and that the torch incorporates state-of-the-art technology.
Anyone interested is welcome to contribute. The request forms for proposals and other related documents can be downloaded from the official BOCOG website---www.beijing2008.com. The organizing committee of the torch design proposal solicitation will also invite specialized art and industrial design institutes as well as individual designers, including those having involved in the torch designs for previous Games, to contribute their works.
Each participant is allowed to submit a maximum of three proposals, and each proposal should include the following documents:
1) Core design plan with the artist's impression and three-dimensional drawings of the proposed torch;
2) Supplementary design plan: on the basis of the core design plan, participants should submit the artist's impressions and three-dimensional drawings of the cauldron, the portable torch stand, flame canister, regulator and the torch package;
3) Elaboration of design concepts and
4) The exterior and interior structures of the Olympic torch, technical standards and parameters (including materials to be used, ways to light the torch, flame testing data); fuel system design (including designs for the fuel cradle, the fueling canister, the fuel ignition switch and safety systems).
As one of the most influential promotional activities in the world, the Olympic torch relay has played a significant role in spreading the Olympic spirit and showcasing the culture and history as well as the economic and social developments of the host city and host country.
Purchaser: Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG)
Address: No. 24, Dongsishitiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing City, China
Post code: 100007
Attention: Room 814, Culture and Ceremonies Department, Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG)
Tel: 86-10-84022008-88131
3. More Patrols to be Deployed to Ensure Olympic Safety
To ensure a safe Olympic Games in Beijing, more patrol police will be deployed in Beijing’s five suburban districts, including Tongzhou, Daxing, Changping, by 2008.
The Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau (PSB) announced yesterday that the increased patrol police force would be equipped with advanced devices, more police dogs, patrol cars and even motorcycles.
Although Beijing is regarded as one of the safest cities in China, suburban regions where migrants are located, account for about 70 per cent of all crime in the city.
The PSB representative said that over the next two years, more than 400 police dogs would be deployed to strengthen patrol forces providing at least one crime-fighting canines for every patrol car.
Today, the city has 490 patrol cars but only about 70 police dogs.
The bureau said police dogs would not be deployed in the urban districts of Dongcheng, Xicheng, Xuanwu and Chongwen.
Instead, motorcycles will be used in these areas to speed up police's emergencies response times, said Yang Chaoyuan, deputy director of the patrol brigade.
Motorcycles have been phased out in policy patrolling in recent years and only about 20 motorcycles are currently in service in Dongcheng District.
4. Bus Upgrade Coming For Olympics In Beijing
Nov. 29, 2005, the Bank of Beijing released a statement noting that Beijing will replace 7,277 obsolete buses with new buses that meet higher environmental standards between now and 2008 in a bid to reach the goal of a creating a "green Olympic Games."
According to a contract signed between Bank of Beijing and the Beijing Municipal Committee of Communications, the bank will provide a loan of 4 billion yuan (US$493 million) to the Beijing Public Transport Group to help replace buses with excessive emissions.
Yan Bingzhu, board chairman of Bank of Beijing, said the vehicles to be eliminated include the following three types: diesel-engine buses from Europe or ones with lower emission standards, worn-out buses, and those that can use either petrol or liquid petroleum gas.
Zheng Shusen, board chairman of the Beijing Public Transport Group, said that there are now 17,507 buses on the road. By the end of this year, the group will have replaced 3,858 diesel-engine buses diesel-engine buses from Europe or ones with lower emission standards as the first step of the project.
The whole replacement project should be completed by the 2008 Olympic Games.
Zheng said new buses are more comfortable and convenient and take on a more modern look, which will contribute to Beijing's image as an international metropolis.
All the buses will be equipped with electronic screens and speakers to announce the coming stops. The floors will be lowered, as a convenience to passengers, especially children and others whom have special needs getting on or off buses.
Beijing Vice-Mayor Ji Lin said the co-operation among the bank, the government, and the enterprises set a good example for the infrastructure construction in the capital. The government will continue to encourage the development of public transport and make it a priority to the city's traffic problems.
He also mentioned that Beijing would have 5,000 natural gas-powered buses running in 2008.