20 June 2011

Advantage SA will host a two-day interstate and local media tour focused around the booming export and trade industry in South Australia this Wednesday 22 June and Thursday 23 June.

The tour, sponsored by Innovate SA and Westpac, will feature a briefing from Stephen Annells, Director,  Trade, Population and Migration, Department of Trade and Economic Development and Greg Boundy, Chief Executive, Innovate SA as well as a series of exclusive site visits, briefings, panel discussions and meetings with leaders of the industry. 

Advantage SA CEO Karen Raffen said the tour would expose local and interstate media, as well as a select group of South Australian business people, to a local industry that is attracting international interest and investment. 

“The tour will introduce the media to some of the biggest players in South Austalia’s export and trade industry. It’s vitally important to be showcasing one of the State’s most successful industries.” 

“Our export and trade industry has been attracting national and international attention for some time now. The State’s export performance continues to improve. Last year revenue from South Australia’s exported goods totalled $9.5 billion, a 15% increase from the year before.”

“With export and trade revenue growing at a phenomenal rate, especially in developing countries such as India and China, it’s the perfect time to be shining a light on the State’s success.”

Across the two days of the tour guests will be receiving briefings on the most successful industries within export and trade, the many opportunities within those industries and the positioning of agribusiness, mining and knowledge intensive services. Sharing their knowledge in these areas will be representatives from Viterra, Mackenzie Hillebrand, P&O, Ballistic Media, The People’s Republic of Animation and Treasury Wine Estate.

Site visits will include a tour of the Viterra grain site at Outer Harbor, the base of operations for transport giants Mackenzie Hillebrand and Mackenzie Intermodal, and Flight Training Adelaide, where guests will be able to use a flight simulator.

Joining the tour will be media representing both local and national outlets including The Australian, Australian Associated Press, Australian Financial Review and The Advertiser, and 32 South Australian business leaders who are invited to participate in the tour as a key benefit of Advantage SA Foundation and Major Corporate membership. 

Supported by the Government of South Australia, Advantage SA’s Interstate Media Program looks to challenge and alter the perceptions held by editors and key interstate media representatives regarding South Australia. It aims to profile South Australia as a visionary, creative and innovative State, while providing a hands-on experience that highlights the key advantages of the State.