Putting Welsh products on the map at the NATO Summit
Hundreds of Welsh businesses will be supplying the NATO Summit with services, supplies and staff.
Companies from across Wales that successfully bid for contracts have been working with the UK Government to deliver many different aspects of the Summit.
Breathtaking photos of Brecon Beacons, by Wales-based photographer Nigel Forster, will provide the backdrop to the world leaders meeting.
An additional 26 suppliers are being used to supply the leaders’ gift bags with Welsh goods on Thursday (4 September).
Welsh food vendors will supply food to the ‘Market Street’ at the Summit which will feed the 1,500 media on-site.
Musicians from the Welsh National Opera Brass Consort, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, HRH Prince of Wales’s Official Harpist Hannah Stone and the Band of The Household Cavalry will provide music at the HRH Prince of Wales reception.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
There will be a great legacy for Wales because people will be able to see in Newport and in Cardiff and in the surrounding countryside and towns and villages, what a beautiful place this is, what an industrious and entrepreneurial place it is, and we’ll be using every opportunity to try and promote Welsh businesses and Welsh culture in all the different events that we have.
Venues across Wales are being used including the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff Castle, Tredegar House, and 80 hotels in Newport, Cardiff and Bristol. Some 24,000 rooms have been booked.
Secretary of State for Wales Stephen Crabb said:
We want to build a lasting legacy following the NATO Summit and send world leaders home in no doubt as to the skills, talent and expertise on offer here in Wales.
The huge range of suppliers involved with the Summit demonstrates how it will not only boost Welsh businesses, but will also give international recognition to the breadth and quality of products and services on offer here in Wales.
The Summit, which has taken months of preparation, is now ready to accept world leaders thanks to Welsh companies.
They include:
- Temporary power provided by Aggreko in Port Talbot
- 7,000 square metres of flooring by Cwmbran-based Floorex
- Road marking from Barnaby Road Markings of Caerphilly
- Furniture made from Welsh elm and other locally sourced timbers from Unique Works in Carmarthen
- Brogue coffee tables from Welsh designer Bethan Gray
- Hand-made throws from designer Ffion Griffith
- Office design from Cowbridge company Storage Design
- Chairs provided by Set Office Supplies in Cardiff
- Marquees at the Summit and in Cardiff Bay by County Marquees Ltd
- The meeting table for the leaders is supplied by Cowbridge company Rathkeys
- Extra bathroom facilities from Bridgend company Portable Toilets
- Local crew supplied by Penarth company Nova
- Fencing supplied by Perfect Associates Ltd who have an office in Wales
- Air-conditioning is supplied by Watkins Event Hire who have a base in Wales
- Transport management around the event from Show & Event Security of Swansea
- Security supplied by local security companies subcontracted by G4S
- T-shirts for staff printed by Newport-based Sticky Ink
- Menus from Welsh celebrity chef Stephen Terry and his team of 12 students
- Square metres of track by Faun Trackway in Anglesey
- Celtic Travel, Llanidloes, Powys, Cymru Coaches, Swansea and New Adventure Travel, Cardiff are providing transport
- Cardiff and Bristol taxi companies will be providing taxis for staff
The Celtic Manor Resort, where the Summit will be held, will also be using many Welsh suppliers, including:
- Meat from Douglas Willis Butchers, in Newport
- Food supplies from Castell Howell in Cross Hands
- Water from Prince’s Gate, Pembrokeshire
- Welsh cakes from Tan y Castell, Pembrokeshire
- Removals and storage help from Fox Removals, Cwmbran
- CCTV from Advanced Satellite Systems, Newport
- Laundry services from Afonwen, Cardiff
- Concierge minibus fleet from Euro Commercials, Cardiff
- Printing services from Uprise Print, Cardiff
- Printers and photocopiers from Danwood Wales, Cardiff
- Mechanical services from CMB Engineering, Cardiff
- Additional kitchen equipment from John’s Electrics, Newport
- Waste services from GD Environmental, Newport
Celtic Manor Resort Chief Operating Officer Ian Edwards said:
We try to source local produce and services where possible and we are delighted that they contribute to an authentic Welsh welcome that we are able to offer our guests here at Celtic Manor.
Our staff and suppliers are proud to be contributing to the staging of the NATO Summit when a global spotlight will once again be focused on South Wales.
Find out more about NATO Summit Wales 2014 or follow the official Summit Twitter account @NATOWales