The 2012 Olympics, 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2014 Ryder Cup are already in the bag, and bids are in preparation for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and 2018 Football World Cup.

These occasions will make great viewing, but we want them to have a big economic benefit. Hundreds of millions of pounds will be spent in goods and services running up to each event — Glasgow 2014 alone will spend up to £200m. In fact, every year the Scottish Government invests more than £5m each year in sporting and cultural events — with Homecoming this year the figure is £10m. A business seminar in Inverness on 2nd March will discuss how Highland businesses can get into a stronger position to win contracts.

The reigning champions — as they often are when it comes to sport — are Australia. Established for the Sydney Olympics, Business Club Australia generated momentum on home turf at events like the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. But it has really scored away from home. No fewer than 60 Australian companies — large and small — gained more than 70 contracts valued at £100m at last year's Beijing Olympics, from lighting control systems and smoke alarms to the mobile phone antenna's in the Bird's Nest stadium.

The success rolls from one major event to the next. Ten Australian companies have already won deals for the London 2012 Games.

It has also generated wider value. Business Club Australia in Beijing delivered more than 50 events and hosted over 4000 Australian and Chinese business people during the Olympic Games. Relationships were strengthened and deals were signed by companies working in a wide range of sectors.

There is no shame in learning from the best. Just as Scottish swimmers have emulated Australian success, this month the first minister launched BusinessClub Scotland. Its aims include improving building supply chain networks, facilitating procurement around events, and targeted networking at events to win business. In the pilot phase over the next two years it aims to deliver an additional £5m in sales for Scottish businesses. The experience gained will allow Scottish businesses to start competing at international level.

Businessclub Scotland is open to all 300,000 Scottish businesses. It will not replace or duplicate existing activity. It will seek to provide additional value by allowing greater business engagement with our national events programme. It is supported by Chambers of Commerce, FSB, CBI, IoD, SFE and SCDI, and HIE and the local authorities.

Here in the Highlands we have experience of hosting high-class events.

We also have innovative businesses in sectors — including energy and sustainability, digital media, and food and drink — which have or could develop the expertise to supply goods and services.

We want a legacy from our major events. Following the Beijing Olympics, the Australian minister for trade said that "The Olympics is about sport, but it is also about exports." Scotland's business, too, can bring home the gold. The training starts here on 2nd March.

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