Friday, 17 April 2015 Largest Ever Contingent of Australian products for North Asia Showcase The largest ever contingent of Australian business events products are participating in this year’s Business Events Australia North Asia Showcase, organised by Tourism Australia to highlight the depth and quality of Australia’s business events offering. Twenty‐one Australian business events industry partners are joining Business Events Australia, Tourism Australia’s specialist unit for the business events sector, to meet with nearly 100 Greater China buyers and media in Shanghai from 19 to 21 April 2015. Tourism Australia’s General Manager Business Events Australia, Penny Lion said the Showcase seeks to ensure Australia remains a destination of choice with Chinese buyers, with new products, experiences and destination information being presented. “The high level of investment in infrastructure, product and services in Australia right now is reflected in the variety of businesses joining us for this year’s Showcase,” Ms Lion said. “Australia is really leading the way when it comes to inspiring key influencers and decision makers in the China market on how the country can deliver successful business outcomes with its diverse offerings of business events destinations, facilities and product experiences. “Our research tells us that Australia’s world‐class business facilities, excellent food and wine, clean natural environments, and capacity to deliver unforgettable programs for groups of any size puts Australia at the top of the list for business events buyers in China,” she said. Australian industry attending the event include Convention Bureaux representing Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, the Northern Territory, Gold Coast and Cairns, alongside a variety of specialist business events product. Joining the Showcase for the first time is the International Convention Centre Sydney, (ICC Sydney), which is due to open in December 2016. The A$1.1 billion world‐class exhibition facility, which will significantly expand the city’s convention and exhibition offering, has already secured 23 large international conventions. The Showcase will also provide buyers with updates on the latest developments in Australia for Chinese business events buyers, including the $400m redevelopment of the Adelaide Convention Centre; the opening of the new Gold Coast Events Centre; new hotel openings including Crown Towers Perth, Hotel Realm and Hotel Hotel in Canberra; new corporate climb products for BridgeClimb Sydney; and new direct flights to Alice Springs from Sydney and from Singapore to Cairns. The Showcase will highlight the latest news and business events offerings by:  Accor Hotels Australia  Adelaide Convention Bureau  BridgeClimb Sydney  Brisbane Marketing  Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef  Business Events Sydney  Canberra Convention Bureau  China Southern Airlines  Crown Hotels  ETA Experience Tours Australia  Gold Coast Business Events– New product update including the 2,500 square metre Gold Coast Event Centre.  Hamilton Island  International Convention Centre Sydney  Melbourne Convention Bureau  Merlin Entertainments Group  Moonshadow Cruises & Port Stephens 4WD Tour– new packages including the Pacific Dunes Golf Course.  Northern Territory Convention Bureau– new developments including new direct flights from Sydney.  Perth Convention Bureau  Singapore Airlines  Sovereign Hill  Tangalooma Island Resort ‐ENDS‐ For more news from Australia visit www.beabeats.com.au to access the latest press releases. For further information, images or video content visit www.australia.com/businessevents or contact: Kyra Washington – FleishmanHillard Kim Moore – Tourism Australia P: +61 421 582 621 E: [email protected] P: +61 2 9361 1306 E: [email protected]