Ministers pitch fore Wales in Kentucky

The Welsh Assembly Government’s top two Ministers will be taking part in a range of events linked to the 37th Ryder Cup which sees Europe's top golfers take on America's finest every two years and this year, takes place in Louisville, Kentucky.

From 1-3 October 2010 it will be Wales’ turn to host The Ryder Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport. The two Ministers will be accompanied by the key personnel involved in organising the event and will host key contacts from the tourism and business world.

Rhodri Morgan said:

Golf is widely recognised as the favoured sport of the world’s business community – and our hosting of the 2010 Ryder Cup provides us with invaluable access to international decision-makers in industry and trade.

We are well advanced in our planning for 2010 but clearly have to take advantage of the opportunity that the event in Valhalla 2008 presents to learn lessons and refine our plans if necessary. I will be formally accepting the baton from the State of Kentucky on behalf of Wales as next host nation at the closing ceremony.

The Ryder Cup will inject millions into the Welsh economy – and will also raise Wales' profile as a business and cultural centre.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said:

The 2008 Ryder Cup offers a great opportunity both to learn and to spread the word about Wales.

It will promote Wales as a destination for both tourism and business – and we aim to apply any lessons from Kentucky to the plans already in place for the run-up to 2010.

In the early part of the week, after business meetings in Washington, the Deputy First Minister, among other commitments will represent Wales at both the Gala Dinner and Opening Ceremony of the 2008 competition.

He will also meet Kentucky’s Deputy Secretary for Economic Development Jamie Link, speak at a major event in which guests will be welcomed by Louisville’s most famous son – former world heavyweight champion Muhammed Ali and hold one-to-one discussions with key business and tourism contacts.

Following the Deputy First Minister’s departure, the First Minister will host a Wales reception and welcome guests at events attended by travel agents who market golf tourism packages for followers of the competition to encourage them to bring guests to Wales in 2010.

Mr Morgan will also host meetings with potential investors in Wales, meet Steve Beshear, the Governor of Kentucky and chair meetings on the infrastructure lessons learnt from 2008 with Celtic Manor Resort owner, Sir Terry Matthews and Cllr Matthew Evans, the incoming leader of Newport and the CEO of the European Tour, George O’Grady, in attendance.

Finally the First Minister will take part in the closing ceremony and formally invite the world to Wales in 2010.

12 September 2008