About Business Club Australia

Austrade's business networking program around major international sporting events

BCA's primary objectives are:

Promote, position and support Brand Australia internationally by showcasing Australia as a desirable business partner.
Target strategic industry sectors around specific events.
Provide business matching services at networking events to enable Australian companies to establish or strengthen business relationships with overseas clients and organisations.
Use events/venues as a showcase of the Australian sports industry (and major event) capability.

Overview

The first BCA program was developed around the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
A typical BCA program around a major event can include a mix of networking events (industry & country), corporate hospitality, venue (dedicated), integrated marketing & media campaigns, missions (inward & outward), sponsorship (private & public sector plus VIP involvement), Roundtable Advisory Group, and endorsement from peak sporting body (eg, AOC).
Previous BCA programs have been staged around the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (China), Rugby World Cup 2007 (France & Wales), Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games (Australia), 12th FINA World Swimming Championships, 2007 (Australia), Melbourne Cup Carnival, 2006, 2007, 2008 (Australia), Rugby World Cup 2003 (Australia), Sydney 2000 Olympic Games (Australia).
297 business networking events have been held around the world involving approximately 36,000 business people including Federal and State Ministers.
The program has facilitated A$1.7b in export sales.
By request of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), BCA has written a case study on the program to provide assistance to future Organising Committees, Applicant and Candidate Cities.
Austrade is the ‘leader’ in this field with BCA being replicated by other Trade Promotion Organisations including in India, Canada, New Zealand & Scotland.
BCA was recognised by the Australian Marketing Institute by winning the National Award for Innovation in 2005.
The BCA Beijing 2008 program was described by the Beijing Bureau Chief of Dow Jones as “the most professional of any Olympic country program”.
BCA is working collaboratively with peak sporting bodies in Australia and major BCA programs secure the endorsement or support of the peak organising sporting body in Australia.
BCA rallies partner support across a range of stakeholders and raises awareness of Australian business capabilities and recognises international business success
BCA provides a vehicle for high level business and political relationships to form.