EEAA and Austrade representatives have joined forces to promote exhibitions in the region

Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) representatives and members recently met with Austrade representatives in five countries within the Asia-Pacific region.

The detailed briefing with senior Australian trade officials in Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou, Seoul, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney was facilitated through Austrade’s Sydney office by video conference and took place last week.

Meeting attendees discussed the potential for the exhibition industry to support and drive growth in key Australian export markets including Food and Food Service, Agribusiness, Mining and Energy, Healthcare and Organic Products.

EEAA Chief Executive Joyce DiMascio said, “This meeting was a major break-through for our industry and the first time in our history that we have had access to Austrade on this scale. Valuable information was exchanged about how to tackle these opportunities,. We were honoured to have access to such experienced Trade Commission staff.

“This positive step forward has the potential to give our members direct access to buyers across Asia. By getting this level of cut-through within Austrade we can begin to further internationalise Australian exhibitions,” said DiMascio.

Investment Minister Andrew Robb said, “I am pleased to see such positive new developments in areas of obvious export capability and I commend the EEAA and Austrade on this initiative. We have deliberatively moved the tourism portfolio into trade and investment to ensure Australia grows its visitor economy.”