Banner Images: Turning a Banner Year into Long-term Growth

Publish Date: May 2003

When Banner Images won their first Games contract for the 1988 Calgary Winter Games, it opened the door to successive events. Since then, they've designed and manufactured banners and flags for the Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney and Salt Lake City Games.

Most recently, at the 2002 Winter Games, this Milton, Ontario company was in charge of providing all street and venue banners for Salt Lake City and the surrounding host cities. In addition to providing color and pageantry, the banners served to create a unified identity for the Games.

Chris Milton, President and CEO of Banner Images knows from experience that businesses can use the Olympics as a springboard to new opportunities. His company benefited from networking connections developed at the Games that have turned into new business with companies such as BMW.

Milton encourages businesses to think about the countless possibilities available. “Olympic business opportunities can come in many different forms,” he says. “If you are a city along the Torch Relay route, get ready to showcase what you want to be known for to the world. It's free tourism advertising and the benefits will be long lasting.”

He also stresses that local companies will likely experience extra demand for their goods. “Visitors to Canada will be hungry to buy 'made in BC/Canada' and 'made by First Nations' products. Community leaders can help by strategically directing tourists to showcase local artisans.”

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