Global consulting firm Bain & Co., hired by the Dallas
2012 Bid Committee to conduct "strategic analysis of the
Olympic bidding process," has concluded that Dallas "has
what it takes -- from community and corporate support to the
infrastructure to cope with millions of visitors" -- in
order to secure the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games,
according to Richard Alm of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. Bain
is currently analyzing seven other cities in the race for
the 2012 Games. Alm classified Dallas' approach to the
process as "businesslike" and noted that 2012 Bid Chair Tom
Luce is "taking an unorthodox approach" to the committee's
bid. Alm: "Rather than hire the consultants used by other
cities, [Luce] parceled out the 19 'themes' of the bid
document to local volunteers, mostly companies. Texas
Instruments Inc., for example, will handle security. Bank
of America will prepare the budget, and J.C. Penney Co. Inc.
is responsible for marketing" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 10/23).
BUT IS THE RACE OVER? Meanwhile, in Tampa, Bill Ward
reported that FL 2012, a "venture funded 75 percent by the
private sector and the rest by tourist dollars," has
generated more than $4M in pledges (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 10/24).
