Olympic Games a great platform to market our country through sports

With the London Games just begun with much pomp and unique English flair, much of the attention is now focused on the athletes who will participate in the largest celebration of summer sports ever. However, one component that is increasingly getting deserved attention is the hospitality and marketing industry. Sports marketing and branding, in particular, is a hot topic with the Olympics.

But what does the Olympics represent that other sports events do not?

An interesting element to the Olympics is their unique ability to be multiple things to many people, sometimes in a contradictory way. They are globally focused with messages of peace and unity and yet are celebrations of national pride and diversity.

They are inclusive and participatory, celebrating all athletes who take part, but are also seen as the ultimate in sporting achievement for the winner. And the Olympics are seen as much more than just a sporting event but are also the ultimate in sporting events.

The Olympics are steeped in history and grew out of strong ideals, which remain an important part of the pageantry, soul and essence of what the Olympics are today. Sponsors who are able to attach themselves to and leverage against this property gain powerful differentiating factors in their marketing efforts.

There is also a tremendous opportunity for the sponsoring companies of the 2012 Games to be associated with the power and magic of the Olympics being held in a country that will capture the eyes of the world for the next few weeks.

In Kenya’s case, the London Olympics presents a potentially rare opportunity for Kenyan companies to draw a more intimate connection with the excitement and power of the Olympics. With the “Kenya House” at the Olympics, Kenya has the chance to position itself as a capable nation in a way that looks inviting to the world at large, from consumers to tourists to businesses.

The “Kenya House” is a hospitality / exhibition concept designed to market the country in major sporting events around the world. The objective is to provide a platform to its economical, sporting and cultural partners to network within the framework of an internationally significant sporting event.

The idea is to showcase and promote the best of Kenya in London. Other than a venue for Kenyan fans to get together to interact and celebrate our Kenyan athletes, it will host the general public, international visitors, the Olympic team, officials and dignitaries. It is the ultimate venue to highlight our unique tourism products, wildlife, businesses, sporting heritage, culture and hospitality in London for the next two weeks.

With a possible 10 million visitors from 208 countries for a period of three weeks, there isn’t a better opportunity for our country than this to attract tourists or gain corporate presence in front of the world.