And they’re off! Melbourne Cup set to deliver export winners

Austrade media release

Monday November 5, 2007

Austrade, the Australian Government’s export development agency, says the Melbourne Cup and Spring Racing Carnival offer Australian exporters the opportunity to win significant export outcomes for Australia.
 
“The Melbourne Cup is the perfect opportunity to get the racing industry and racing exports galloping again, after a particularly tough year for Australia’s $8.4 billion plus racing industry following the outbreak of equine influenza,” said Tim Harcourt, Austrade’s Chief Economist.
 
“Racing is a major export industry, not just on the track itself, but also in terms of racing technology, the sale of veterinary equipment, starting gates as well as breeding,” said Geraldine Doumany, Austrade’s racing industry specialist.
 
Mr Harcourt said the international profile of the Melbourne Cup also provided a springboard to exporters in a wide range of industries, through programs such as Austrade’s Business Club Australia, a business networking program creating international business opportunities through the excitement of major sporting events.
 
In the past the Business Club Australia program has contributed A$1.7billion in international business outcomes for Australia, and staged 270 corporate networking events worldwide.
 
“Business Club Australia will host 60 Australian and international business guests at both the 2007 Emirates Melbourne Cup and 2007 AAMI Derby Day,” Mr Harcourt said.
 
Through Austrade posts, Business Club Australia has also supported the Victoria Racing Club’s 2007 international marketing program with business networking events held in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Ireland, London and Dubai.
 
The Cup’s couture buzz will be leveraged at AusStyle Dubai at a Cup breakfast promoting some of Australia’s highest profile and most exciting new fashions, from designers such as Ruth Tarvydas, Charlie Brown, Nina Maya, Verduci-Smith, Katie Hosking, and Marniinako.
 
At Australia House in London, in an event supported by Austrade, the VRC, and Australian Business, is also expecting more than 300 fashionista guests on cup day, first to watch the running of the Cup and then the runway, for the latest designs from Aussie labels such as Jayson Brunsdon, Camilla, Alex Perry, and Ghost and Lola jewellers.
 
“So clearly it’s not only Australia that stops on the first Tuesday of each November,” Mr Harcourt said.
 
“And it’s no surprise the Victoria Racing Club was 2006 Australian Export Awards Winner in the Sports, Events and Tourism category, and is a National finalist again in 2007,” he said.
 
Austrade’s Chief Economist Tim Harcourt is available for media interviews.

ENDS

Media contact

David Varga
Tel: 02 9390 2191
Mob: 0434 567 673
Email: david.varga@austrade.gov.au

For further news and information from the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) visit www.austrade.gov.au//mediacentre.