BUSINESSES SET TO BENEFIT FROM MOD 08

Businesses across the Falkirk Council area are set to benefit from the high number of visitors the district is expected to see during Mod 08 later this year.

Estimates (based on previous events) show that over £1m will be spent in the local area by the estimated 10,000 visitors and competitors heading for Falkirk in October 2008.

Organisers are urging local businesses to take early advantage of some of the business opportunities that are on offer in the run up and throughout the competition.

Some of the business opportunities identified to date include:

• Inclusion in the full colour programme that is distributed both nationally and internationally;
• Sponsorship of individual events and competitions;
• Corporate hospitality opportunities including lunches and drinks receptions;
• Networking opportunities with other business and political figures at a local and national level and;
• Representation at 20 other provincial and local Mods across Scotland including Stirling, Caithness, Mull and Argyll.

The most recent economic research has shown that the average visitor stays for five days during a Mod and is expected to spend over £300 while staying locally in the area.

One Larbert based pottery business that has already signed up to the potential the Mod can bring is Barbara Davidson who is producing branded mugs and coasters for the event.

She said: ‘The Mod will bring tremendous business opportunities for many local businesses and would urge them to get in touch with organisers before these opportunities are snapped up by rivals.

‘It's not just the hospitality sector that can benefit - many visitors will want to explore the area looking for local craft industries as well attend exhibitions and displays throughout the event.

‘With ten thousand visitors and competitors on their way in October, businesses should plan now how best to maximise their presence at this internationally recognised event.'

Cllr Angus MacDonald, Chair of the Falkirk Mod Committee said; ‘The Mod is followed throughout the country as well as internationally by thousands of supporters.

‘This is the time for local businesses to realise that an extra ten thousand visitors to our area is potentially very good news for them and how they can capitalise on this unique event.

‘The range of opportunities is large however as the event approaches, these opportunities will be taken so we would urge businesses to get in touch now to see how they can benefit from the Mod.'

Big name backing has already been received from local companies such as Kemfine; Phoenix Honda; Behind The Wall; Tryst Breweries; FDS Developments; Alchemy Inns; The Mall, Falkirk; Falkirk and District Town Centre Management and Horizon Print.

They join main event sponsor Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd and other major sponsors such as Royal Bank of Scotland; Black Bottle; Event Scotland; Royal Mail and Bord na Gaidhilg already working to make the event a big success.

The event will have its own dedicated community radio station and will broadcast to a worldwide audience via the Internet.  This is in addition to the extensive coverage generated by media such as the BBC and both local and national press.

For more information on how your business can benefit from Mod 08, contact Mod Event Officer James Graham on 0787 282 8981 or Cllr Angus Macdonald on 01324 506139 or email info@mod2008falkirk.org.

For more information on the event, go to http://www.mod2008falkirk.org/.