12/7: Top Pin Trading Locations in London (9)

This time we stay in the Olympic Park and focus on...

Village / Press and Media

There are three huge and vastly important non-competition venues at any Olympic Games.

The Main Press Centre hosts the worlds press journalists, photographers and non-rights holding broadcasters. The larger press agencies will create their own private press rooms, whereas the freelance journalists or smaller newspapers may rely on the vast shared working spaces available.

The International Broadcast Centre is usually an enormous building, which plays host to the temporary studio and production facilities for the companies which have paid millions (sometimes billions) to broadcast the Olympics.

The Olympics Village is of course the home away from home for the athletes of the world. It is made up of a vast collection of residential buildings as well as shared facilities such as a post office, bank, gyms, stores and dining facilities.

Of course while these three venues have their own specific purposes they are interesting to us for another reason - pins!!

When the journalists, broadcasters and athletes arrive at the Games they very often bring with them pins - but of course as with the Partner pins we have seen so far, some will be harder to get than others.

Most companies or teams will bring one type of pin with them, a more select bunch (generally the larger broadcasters or teams) may have a number of different designs. Some will give out their pins generously to employees for them to give on as gifts or to trade with. Others (some of the smaller teams for instance) will only have a few of their pins and may give only one to each person in their team. These will be much harder to get hold of.

Broadcast pins tend to include Olympics logos, Press pins do not tend to have rings or logos, and team pins fall into two camps: The "Generic" pin and the "Games-specific" pin. A generic pin will include only the countries flag/team logo and the rings. A Games specific pin will include London 2012 imagery, logos and wording. Not all countries will bring a pin, and certainly not all countries will bring a Games specific pin. The fun of collecting team pins is to try to find them all!

Broadcast pins can be fun to find, particularly the rare ones. For instance, NBC often has some made only for their President who will give them out sparingly to whoever he meets during the Games.

Journalists, Broadcasters and Teams are now arriving here in London, and some of these pins are already being found - so keep your eyes open for these rarer pins!

Of course, getting into these three venues for most people is not possible. Understandably, security is tight so you won't be able to get into them without the appropriate accreditation.

However, from past Games experience situating yourself near one of these venues can be a fruitful experience. In Vancouver the Broadcast and Press Centres were situated next to a main road on the Harbour front. Sitting on the pavement outside you could usually find between 10-30 pin traders with their wares on offer.

Of course, even if you can't get near these venues, you can always find team, broadcast and press pins by keeping your eyes open wherever you are. Journalists, broadcasters and team members will be seen out and about at all the venues, and across London so you never know when you might pick up a not-seen-before pin!

21/6: Top Pin Trading Locations in London (8)

This week, we focus again on the Olympic Park and in particular...

Olympic and Paralympic Venues

There's no getting away from it - the Olympics is all about the most fantastic sport on earth, and if you are lucky enough to have a ticket to see some of the sporting action, then be sure to take part in your own sport (the biggest spectator sport in the world) - Pin Trading!

Olympic venues are always a good place to trade pins. To start with, make sure you visit the official merchandise outlet within the venue. You never know what goodies you might find only in that location which may relate to the venue or the sport taking place there. At the last few Games in Beijing and Vancouver you could find some sport related pins which were only available for purchase from that particular venue.

Venues always have a large number of volunteers and staff - and quite often a fair number get the pin collecting bug during the Olympics. If you see one wearing a pin - it's usually worth seeing if you can make a trade!

Queuing up or standing in line to get your ticket checked, or have your bag security checked is another opportunity to scan the crowd and see who is wearing a pin that you need - keep your eyes peeled and you could be in for a swap!

14/6: Top Pin Trading Locations in London (7)

This weeks destination needs hardly any explanation...

The Olympic Park

There are no less than 9 venues on the Olympic Park. It's home to the Stadium, Aquatics Centre, Water Polo Arena, Copperbox, Riverbank Arena, Basketball Arena, Eton Manor, Velodrome and BMX Circuit. In addition it's also the site of two major Non Competition venues. The Main Media Complex - which includes both the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre - and the Olympic Village. Add in to this mix a sprinkling of sponsor showcases, hospitality centres and of course the Coca-Cola Pin Trading Centre and you can see why the Olympic Park is a prime location for pin swapping come July!

We will spend time in the final three blogs in this series exploring some of these locations in more detail, but suffice to say that the Park will be the place to be. With 7 million spectators across both Games likely to be on the Park, thousands of sponsors, athletes, the worlds media and press as well as staff, your chances of seeing a new pin are much greater here than anywhere else.

The sponsor showcases in particular could be interesting, from past experience some of these will be more clued-up about the need to give out a few pins than others. Some may have no pins to give out, some will.

Of course access to the Park is not straightforward. It's an Olympic venue, and therefore either an event ticket, an Olympic Park ticket or accreditation is needed. But if you've secured one of these then make sure you build some time into your day to be part of the pin trading scene on the Park.

31/5: Top Pin Trading Locations in London (6)

This week we get closer to the Olympic Park. In fact just outside, as we spotlight potential pin trading at...

Westfield, Stratford City

For many old hands this location is nothing new - we've had some pin meets here already! But for those new to London or visiting from abroad hopefully there is some useful information included.

Nestling right next to the Olympic Park is Westfield, Stratford City shopping centre. Opened late last year the shopping centre is already very well used, and situated right on top of Stratford underground station and next door to Stratford International station.

Most importantly, Westfield will be the gateway to the Olympic park - with 7 million people likely to travel through it on their way to the games this summer.

7 million people - some of them must be carrying a few pins? I certainly hope so! Without having any certainty yet over what the busiest routes will be from the transport hubs to the park entrance it is hard to suggest any individual spots that will be good for pin trading, but the outside corridors are likely to be very busy, as are the alfresco dining areas which might make for a good trader meeting point after a busy day on the park.

Westfield also has a number of shops occupied by current London 2012 partners. Samsung, Mini and Omega for instance all have prominent locations. John Lewis also has an Olympic store - and a great view of the Olympic park on its top floor. There is a London 2012 official store here too - under the Team GB brand of "Our Greatest Team".

When you add in great shopping, millions of people, the gateway to the Olympic Park, likely sponsor activities and pleasant outdoor locations I think we can guarantee that Westfield, Stratford City will be a genuinely great place to swap some pins this summer!

24/5: Top Pin Trading Locations in London (5)

We reach the halfway point in a run down of 10 top locations where pin trading may be going on in London this summer. This week it's the turn of...

Live Sites

Live Sites are a relatively new Olympic phenomenon. These large spaces could be described as the best way to see the Olympics and experience the atmosphere if you don't have a ticket to a sporting event or to the Olympic Park.

Many Games have had them, and they have had different levels of success. In Vancouver there were three downtown live sites - one of which hosted a number of the Sponsor pavilions which at London's Games you can find on the Olympic Park. In Beijing there were a number of sites too - but these were not so well attended. Atlanta carved out the centre of the city to create Centennial Olympic Park - the scene of great celebrations, as well as a tragic incident during those games.

For London 2012 there will be Live Sites stretching across the entire country, with 5 being located in London. The specific sites are in Hyde Park, Potters Fields, Victoria Park, Waltham Forest and Woolwich.

Pin for Hyde Park - One of the London 2012 Live Sites

The two major sites will be in Hyde Park (in Central London) and Victoria Park (close to the Olympic Park). These two will host Major events and concerts as part of the BT London Live 2012 programme.

But what are Live Sites? Well the main draw is Live Olympic and Paralympic Sport! Big Screens will relay the best of the action to spectators who get to experience a great atmopshere in an outside environment with thousands of other people. As well as the sport these sites usually have shops, food and entertainment. At the larger sites (such as Hyde Park and Victoria Park) stages will provide live entertainment too.

In fact Hyde Park is holding special Opening and Closing Ceremony Concerts which will be ticketed only. For the 28 July-11 August access is open to everybody - but you can also buy a guaranteed entry ticket.

Of course most appealingly - the Hyde Park Live Site is the location of one of the Coca-Cola pin trading centres - but more on these in a later post.

For pin collectors this will be a great location to trade pins. There will be plenty of traders about, and plenty of fans who will hopefully be wearing pins, and willing to trade a pin or two. So as always, keep your eyes peeled, enjoy the atmosphere and be ready to trade some pins!

For more details of where all the London 2012 Live Sites can be found then best to check the London 2012 Website for details.

17/5: Top Pin Trading Locations in London (4)

Week 4 in the list of top places to trade pins during London 2012 from our guest blogger. This week it's the turn of...

London's Transport Hubs

They may not be the most glamorous locations, but don't forget these are the places that all our Olympic visitors will use to get to London, and leave afterwards.

Airports

Previous Games have spent huge amounts of money on new airports, and usually there has only been one major airport in the city. However, in London we are serviced by no less than 5 separate airports. Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead, Luton and London City.

Heathrow is the official Airport of London 2012 (as we all know from their great Purple and Green "Team Heathrow" pin!), and is also the location of one of the London 2012 Official shops (you can also find one of these in the departure section of Stanstead Airport).

In Vancouver, the airport was the location of one of the Coca-Cola pin trading centres, however this will not be the case in London.

The Airports are not somewhere that I would recommend visiting specifically to trade pins. However, at the past three Games this was the location of my first pin trade of the Games!

So if you are flying into the country, make sure you keep a few pins handy ready to trade with volunteers, airport staff, and maybe another passenger.

Also, upon leaving the host city, I've usually taken time to visit the Official shop and managed to add a couple of last minute additions to my pin collection before heading home.

St Pancras Station pin

Train Stations

Probably London's most beautiful station is St Pancras, recently renovated for its role as the end of the Eurostar line, St Pancras has embraced the Games. Huge Olympic rings hang from the ceiling, and of course its the home of the first London 2012 Shop. During the Games it's likely to be buzzing with activity, for as well as welcoming international visitors fresh from the Channel Tunnel, it's also one end of the Olympic Javelin line - which whisks you straight to Stratford International Station in about 6 minutes flat.

It's bound to be a busy route for workers, volunteers and of course spectators. This may well be a good spot to try a bit of pin trading.

London's other stations offer less in terms of Olympic connections, but don't forget that Paddington also has a small official shop too.

Airports and Stations aren't won't be the highlight of your visit to London, but don't rule them out as a place where you might get a good trade or two! As always - be ready and have a few pins handy!

10/5: Top Pin Trading Locations in London (3)

It's week 3 of our countdown of the top places to trade pins during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and this week we are moving our focus to...

London's Tourist Ares

Last week we talked about how London's streets will be a great place to trade pins - nowhere will this be more evident than at places like Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and the South Bank. These are great places to visit if you are accompanied in London with friends or family. If your companions are not into pin trading, then they can enjoy some of the shopping, cultural or tourist attractions, while you take the time to trade some pins.

Let's take a closer look at these four specific locations in turn:

Trafalgar Square:

Always the first place people gather in London to celebrate national events, Trafalgar Square will surely be buzzing during the Olympics and therefore a great place to swap some pins. It's slap bang in the middle of the action as well, being a stones throw from Horse Guard's Parade and the Mall where the beach volleyball, cycling road races and marathons will be taking place. If you want to take in some culture, the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are located at the north end of the square. It's also here that you will find the London 2012 Countdown Clock - of course during the Olympics the digits will still be ticking down to the start of the Paralympics.

Leicester Square:

The home of London cinema, this is where world premieres regularly take place. It's always buzzing with plenty of street food, cafes and touristy shops. It's also one of the best places to go to grab last minute tickets to London shows. There are sure to be plenty of Olympic tourists around - might be a good place to swap a pin or two.

London's Chinatown is in the heart of the Leicester Square area

Covent Garden:

Right next door to Leicester Square this is the heart of London's famous theatreland. The streets running off the main square are home to many of London's theatres - perhaps a good chance to get some culture in alongside all the sport? The Old Apple Market has some great little shops, and the whole vibe of the place will lend itself well to pin trading. There are lots of outdoor cafes to soak up the London sun(?!), and usually street theatre to enjoy. Expect plenty of people wearing pins, keep your eyes peeled and you may do some good swapping here.

The South Bank:

Stretching from Waterloo Station all the way along to Tower Bridge on the South side of the River Thames is "The South Bank". This stretch of London is home to London's National Theatre and Cinema, the London Aquarium, the London Eye and further downstream the Tate Modern Art Gallery, Shakespeare's Globe and HMS Belfast. Pin trading or not, this is a great place to visit either on your own, or with family and friends. There are sure to be plenty of people thronging this wide pedestrian route alongside the river taking in the attractions, street theatre, food and drink and the general atmosphere of being in London - the Olympic City. There are no specific locations that can be recommended, but for sure pin trading will happen here - just keep a good look-out!

As with every previous Games, there is no knowing exactly where pin trading will take off - but some of the locations are bound to end up being good spots; and even if they aren't perfect pin positions, they are all places that are worth a visit if you are new to London.

3/5: Top Pin Trading Locations in London (2)

Our guest blogger presents their second idea for a top pin trading location during the Games.

London Streets

The streets of an Olympic City come alive during the Olympic Games. We hear it all the time - but there really is nothing like theOlympics. And nowhere is this more apparent than out on the streets. Of course, not every London street is a perfect pin trading position, but hopefully by the end of this column, you will see why it's worth keeping your eyes open while wandering around the city this summer!

To start with, the streets will look good! Olympic banners and decorations help create the stage for a carnival atmosphere. Inaddition to the usual collection of locals and tourists that you will always find in London during the summer, the number of peopleout and about will be swelled by the addition of some new and unique visitors.

To start with Olympic and Paralympic Volunteers will be out in force! Always distinctively uniformed (in London it will be a purple and red combination!), these helpful souls have given up their time to be part of the Olympic experience. It will be hard to not to spot teams of these usually friendly folks wandering the streets.

Joining them will be the uniformed Olympic Broadcast teams. These are the people who are responsible for beaming the Olympics all around the world. They come from all over the planet, and are usually freelance cameraman, soundmen and producers who are familiar with a particular sport.

Then there are the media and press teams who usually wear their "Team" t-shirts or jackets. The larger Broacasters like NBC and the BBC will be particularly noticeable with their larger numbers. You will see these guys walking the streets or riding public transport clutching massive cameras, tripods, notepads or even sound booms trying to get to their next interview or photo spot.

There are the sponsors - normally these come in the form of invited guests all wearing branded outfits and following their leaderwho is holding up a tall plastic sign with the sponsor's name on it so that their group don't get lost.
As the Games wear on, the athletes will begin to become more noticeable as many of the events begin to finish. But, for every 1athlete there are always another 3 coaches, administrators, and physios also branded in team uniform. These guys will be wandering around doing the same thing as everybody else - enjoying the atmosphere, soaking up the city and having their moment in the spotlight.
Finally the Olympic fans - hopefully from all over the world - will be in London. The dutch are usually out in force dressed inOrange, the Americans, Aussie and Canadians always bring good numbers. And many of the other European nations will be dressed innational colours, waving their flags and supporting their favourites.
So from a pin point of view where does this leave us? Well many of these different groups of people will be wearing pins! Pins they'vebought from the shops, pins they have traded at the venue they've been spectating or working at, and maybe most excitingly of allpins that belong to their group! Maybe a volunteer pin, a Broadcaster pin or a Sponsor pin!
I would say 'keep your eyes out' for these different groups - but there is no need, it will be impossible to miss them! What I can say is keep your eyes open for any pins these folks will be wearing, and make sure you have some pins on you at all times just in case a good swap presents itself. There is no telling which streets will be best for picking up pins, but you can be sure that as the Games progress people will get a feel for where the best places are for a good trade.

26/4: Top Pin Trading Locations in London

In the run up to the Opening Ceremony, I plan to publish a series of short articles written by a guest blogger. With experience of previous summer and winter Olympic Games, they will share some of their experiences with new pin traders or those who are not familiar with London.

Over the next 10 weeks, they will highlight 10 top places in and around London where you will have the opportunity to meet collectors and trade pins. Hopefully these pointers will make your trading just a little bit more successful.

In no particular order, we start this week with...

Public Transport

The London Underground - what is the first thing that springs to mind? Maybe quiet commuters, nose buried in a newspaper or a book? Nobody talking, everybody trying not catch each others eye? Well think again! During the Olympics the tubes will not be packed with commuters, but with spectators, day trippers, tourists, volunteers and Olympic enthusiasts!

In Athens and Beijing the newly-built metro systems were a prime location for swapping a pin or two. Everybody takes public transport during the Olympics, and many people will be sporting newly acquired pins on their lanyards, uniforms and maybe even their hat.

The tube or the bus are a great place to ask the person sitting or standing next to you whether they would like to swap the pin they are wearing for one of yours. So make sure you are wearing a few pins at all times - or at least carry a few handy in your pocket - you never know when you might bump into somebody who would be willing to trade that rare pin you need for your collection.

We wouldn't suggest that you ride the underground round and round just for the sake of trading a pin - but when you do use public transport then take the opportunity. The Olympics is the biggest festival a city ever gets to host - so lets take that friendly spirit into the Underground and get trading.