2004 AUSTRALIAN EXPORT AWARDS GALA DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY

Date: Thursday 9 December 2004
Time: 6.30pm - 10.00pm
Dress: Business Attire
Guest of Honour: The Hon. Mark Vaile, Minister for Trade
Venue: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Broadbeach, The Gold Coast, Queensland
Ticket price: $145.00 per person or $1400.00 per corporate table of ten.


Qantas is pleased to support The 2004 Australian Export Awards by offering an exclusive webpage for our event. To book online log on to
www.qantas.com.au/content/dyn/conference/aeaDec04
Note: All travel bookings and payments are the responsibility of the attendee/s.

Benefits of using Qantas Conference online fares:
• Competitive Fares
• 24 hour access to flight bookings
• Flexibility
• Accrual of Frequent Flyer points on flown Qantas services only
• Easy access to Qantas online information

ACCOMMODATION SPECIALS
Accor, the sponsor for the 2004 Tourism Exporter of the Year is proud to offer the following special rates:

1/.Mercure Resort Surfers Paradise (3 star resort located in the heart of Surfers Paradise)
122 Ferny Avenue
SURFERS PARADISE QLD 4217
$115.00 per room per night single/double/twin occupancy in a Resort Room including full buffet breakfast
Valid from 7-11 December 2004 and subject to availability.
For reservations call 1800 074 111 or email book@mercuresurfers.com.au.

2/. Grand Mercure Hotel Broadbeach (4.5 star hotel located directly across from the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre)
81 Surf Parade BROADBEACH QLD 4218
$170.00 per room per night single/double/twin occupancy in a Standard Room (room only)
$189.00 per room per night single/double/twin occupancy in a Standard Room including full buffet breakfast
Valid on 9 December 2004 and subject to availability.
For reservations call 07 5592 2250 or email grandmerc@gmbb.com.au.
BONUS - Complimentary upgrade to an Ocean View Room and high floor if booking is made direct.

Conditions:
Bookings must be made direct by attendee not travel agent or third party. Subject to availability Payment for room and extras to be paid by attendee direct with the hotel.

ABOUT THE AWARDS

BACKGROUND
The 2004 Australian Export Awards [AEA] recognise Australian businesses for excellence and achievement in exporting. The program rewards and profiles the “best of the best” enterprises in exporting around the nation.

From manufacturing to mining, agribusiness to the arts, tourism and education, businesses across all industries, regardless of size or location are being acknowledged.

Now in its 41st year, the AEA have earned the reputation throughout the Australian business community as one of the most prestigious and significant industry awards on the business calender.

The national award program is supported by many of Australia’s leading corporations, export facilitators and industry groups. The program remains a high priority and top focus of the Federal Government.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• Identify and reward Australia’s most successful and innovative exporters.
• Promote top exporters as corporate role models in order to stimulate greater involvement in exporting amongst Australian businesses.
• Promote Australia’s leading exporters to the same status and public recognition as sporting and entertainment heroes.
• Further develop community awareness of the importance of exporting to Australia’s economic future.

PRESENTERS
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) partner the presentation of this national program, which is historically one of the longest running business awards programs in Australia.

EVENT DIRECTION
The Charlton Group have been appointed for the sixth year to stage the 41st Australian Export Awards on behalf of Austrade and ACCI.

NATIONAL & STATE INVOLVEMEMENT
The Australian Export Awards is comprised of a series of eight State and Territory Export Awards recognising excellence and innovation in exporting in a range of industry sectors. Each State/ Territory Export Awards is managed independently by the relevant state government department or industry body. Winners from each State are announced in October and automatically progress as national finalists to the Australian Export Awards. The annual Award program culminates in December with the highlight of the awards year – the Gala Awards Ceremony.

STATE AND TERRITORY EXPORT AWARD ORGANISERS
How to enter and the contacts in each State/Territory
Applications should be sent direct to the appropriate State or Territory agency. All information provided will be treated as strictly commercial-in-confidence.
Prospective applicants may obtain more detailed information by contacting their State/Territory export award organisers, as listed below, or by phoning Austrade on 13 28 78.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
2004 ACT Chief Minister’s Export Awards
Ms Cathy Atkins
Manager Marketing & Information Services
BusinessACT, Chief Minister’s Department
PO Box 243, Civic Square
CANBERRA ACT 2608
Phone: 02-6205 3065
Fax: 02 6207 0033
Email: Cathy.Atkins@act.gov.au
Website: www.business.act.gov.au
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:

NEW SOUTH WALES
2004 Premier’s NSW Exporter of the Year Awards
Ms Fiona Buchanan and Mr Ian Murray
Australian Institute of Export (NSW) Ltd
Level 12, 83 Clarence Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9350 8132
Fax: 02 9262 3262
Email: fionabuchanan@aiex.com.au
Website: www.aiex.com.au/nsw
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:

NORTHERN TERRITORY
2004 Northern Territory Export Awards
Ms Vicky Spence
Manager Events & Marketing
Chamber of Commerce, NT
GPO Box 1825
DARWIN NT 0801
Phone: 08 8936 3140
Fax: 08 8981 3190
Email: vspence@chambernt.com.au
Website: www.ibc.org.au
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:

QUEENSLAND
Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards 2004
Ms Rebecca Scott
Export Awards Secretariat
Department of State Development
PO Box 168, Brisbane Albert St, QLD 4002
Phone: 07 3234 1644
Fax: 07 3234 1520
Email: Rebecca.scott@sd.qld.gov.au
Website: www.sd.qld.gov.au/exportawards
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
2004 Business SA Export Awards
Mr. George D’Agostino
Team Leader Marketing & Communication
Business SA
136 Greenhill Road
UNLEY SA 5061
Phone: 08 8300 0276
Fax: 08 8300 0001
Email: georged@business-sa.com
Website: www.business-sa.com
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:

TASMANIA
2003 Tasmanian Export Awards
Ms Ann Atkinson
Project Manager, Export and Marketing Development
Department of Economic Development
GPO Box 646
HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6233 5838
Fax: 03 6233 5800
Email: Ann.Atkinson@development.tas.gov.au
Website: www.development.tas.gov.au/exportawards
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:

VICTORIA
2004 Governor of Victoria Export Awards
Ms Jenna Korin
Business Events Co-ordinator
Department of Innovation, Industry & Regional Dev.
Level 46, 55 Collins St
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 9651 9923
Fax: 03 9650 2248
Email: jenna.korin@invest.vic.gov.au
Website: www.awards.export.vic.gov.au
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
2003 Western Australian Industry and Export Awards
Mr. Geoff Collins
Director Communications & Marketing
Dept of Industry & Resources
8th Floor, 168-170 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Phone: 08 9327 5536
Fax: 08 9222 3862
Email: geoff.Collins@doir.wa.gov.au
Website: www.doir.wa.gov.au/awards
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:

GUIDELINES

Eligibility

Applications are invited from firms and organisations that:

• produce goods or services that have Australian content of at least 50 per cent of their Free On Board value
• earn foreign exchange
• operate as a separate business if part of a larger organisation
• have been exporting for more than three years (except that applicants for the Emerging Exporter Award must have had no more than three years of export sales; however applicants for Emerging Exporter will also be considered for their industry category.

* Businesses with a non-metropolitan head office may enter the Regional Exporter of the Year Award plus one other category of award.
* Winners from previous years may apply
* Sponsors cannot lodge an application in that category
* Government departments are not eligible to apply

Judging criteria
The national selection panel for the Australian Export Awards is drawn from the public and private sectors, comprising persons with international business experience including small business and regional representation.
Issues that the judges tend to focus on strongly include:

• The degree of innovation in the applicant's marketing strategy
• Export growth achieved and the sustainability of that growth
• The overall company commitment to international market development

The full details of the judging criteria are as follows:

1. Quality of the export marketing strategy

• Quality and scope of your integrated global marketing strategy
• Innovative techniques, including e-commerce, employed to win export business
• Strategies to promote and enhance brand awareness in export markets

2. Company infrastructure

• company planning
• employment factors
• supply chains
• production capability
• competitive advantage
• advanced technology
• quality assurance
• after-sales service
• financial management
• overall commitment

3. Level and sustainability of export sales

• as a proportion of total sales
• in terms of value, and year-to-year percentage growth in value, over the last five years or since the applicant commenced exporting.
• the projected value over the next three years

4. Sound capital base

• Substantial net worth
• Sufficient working capital to support export activity

CONFIRMED CATEGORIES FOR 2004 AUSTRALIAN EXPORT AWARDS

		P&O Nedlloyd AGRIBUSINESS AWARD: For outstanding export achievement in the field of agricultural products, services or technology, including processed foods and beverages, and the forestry, fisheries and fibres industries.
		Austrade ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT AWARD: For outstanding export achievement in the field of fine arts, performing arts, electronic and on-line entertainment, and sports.
Sponsorship Available Please contact Anne-Marie Flynn Phone: 02 9981 2208		EDUCATION AWARD: For outstanding export achievement in the field of education services, facilities, expertise and curriculum.
		AusIndustry EMERGING EXPORTER AWARD: For outstanding export achievement by an enterprise, in any industry sector, that has been exporting goods or services for three years or less.
Sponsorship Available Please contact Anne-Marie Flynn Phone: 02 9981 2208		INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY AWARD: For outstanding export achievement in the field of information and communications products, technology or services.
		Australian Made LARGE ADVANCED MANUFACTURER EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARD: For outstanding export achievement by a manufacturer with total annual sales of more than $20 million.
		MINERALS AND ENERGY AWARD: For outstanding export achievement in the production or primary processing of extractive and value-added minerals or energy products.
		Export Finance and Insurance Corporation SERVICES AWARD: For outstanding export achievement in a recognised services industry, such as the consultancy, finance, insurance, legal, health, community and engineering sectors.
		Commonwealth Bank SMALL TO MEDIUM MANUFACTURER AWARD: For outstanding export achievement by a manufacturer with total annual sales not exceeding $20 million.
		Australia Post REGIONAL EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARD: For outstanding export achievement by a business whose head office is based in a non-metropolitan location.
		DHL AUSTRALIAN EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARD: The overall Exporter of the Year will be selected from the winners of the categories shown above.
		Accor TOURISM AWARD: For outstanding export achievement in the inbound tourism sector, including accommodation, tour companies, attractions, airlines, cruise lines, and other transport operations.