At the European Olympic Committees (EOC) Annual Congress in Rome on 8 December 2012, the vast majority (78%) of EOC members voted to award the rights to host the inaugural European Games to Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan. This vote of confidence in Baku and Azerbaijan was the final stage in a bidding journey, facilitated by pmplegacy that had begun eight months earlier when principals from the company met with EOC advisors at Sportaccord in Quebec to discuss the possibility of a bid. pmplegacy helped the Ministry of Youth and Sport in Azerbaijan to identify and help secure major sporting events that could be hosted in the ambitious and fast developing capital city that had been unsuccessful in being awarded Candidate City status in its bid for the 2020 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

Peter Mann and Cathy Livock from pmplegacy were both on the stage at the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Global Sports Opportunities Conference in London on 30/31 January 2013. Targeting UK companies, the conference aimed to raise awareness and identify opportunities in several emerging markets where countries are due to host major sporting events in the future. It focused on opportunities in Brazil, Russia, Qatar, South Korea and Azerbaijan.

pmplegacy has been officially designated a “Supplier of venue feasibility and legacy planning advice (Olympic Stadium and Eton Manor) to the London 2012 Games”, under the BOA administered Supplier Recognition Scheme. This new Scheme – the first of its kind - gives eligible suppliers recognition for the part they played in the success of the London 2012 Games, following a landmark deal reached by the Government, British Olympic Association (BOA) and International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, has been awarded the rights to host the inaugural European Games in 2015. The announcement was made in Rome on Saturday 8 December at the European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly. It followed a vote by secret ballot that resulted in 84% in favour of Baku becoming the first Host City. 38 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) voted in favour, eight were against and there were two abstentions. pmplegacy has played a leading role in bringing these Games to Baku. It introduced the idea to the EOC’s advisors in March 2012 and since then has worked closely with both the EOC and Baku in helping to bring the concept to reality.

London hosted a range of seminars and discussion forums during the 2012 Games on a comprehensive range of major event industry topics of interest to international audiences. pmplegacy hosted, spoke and attended many of these and we highlight our top picks here.