Regional Queensland struts it stuff for the city

Regional Queensland will strut its stuff for investors and potential new residents and visitors at a showcase event at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre later this week.

The two-day Regional Queensland Showcase aims to show off regional Queensland as a great place to live, work, learn and invest.

State Development and Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham delivers a keynote address to business leaders on Friday. Regional mayors will deliver a program of investment-themed seminars selling their regional advantages and commercial opportunities.

The showcase is free to the public on Saturday.

Dr Lynham said the showcase provided business and industry an opportunity to engage firsthand with regional representatives and exhibitors.

“Queensland’s regions continue to underpin the state’s economic prosperity,” he said.

“The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics and Queensland Treasury data show the regions contribute about 95 percent of our total agricultural and mining exports.

“As well, our regional population is growing as a market and a labour source: according to Queensland Treasury, Queensland’s regional population is projected to grow at 1.6% per annum on average to slightly over 2.2 million people by 2036.”

“I’d encourage the Brisbane business community and the public to make the most of the opportunity.”

The Showcase will house eight large displays dedicated to each of Queensland’s regions, featuring digital stories, interactive play stations and taste testing of regional produce.

Exhibitor booths for private businesses will also provide an opportunity for visitors to engage with experts across the business community.

Saturday has a full program of activities including a kids’ corner featuring face painting, inflatable Queensland Cricket nets and Queensland Rugby Union Rookies2Reds pass the ball and two large entertainment stages.

Throughout the day, there will be musical performances by Rockhampton-based duo Busby Marou, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chef Alastair McLeod, special appearances by rugby league legends Shane Webcke and Darren Lockyer and poetry, written for the Showcase by Queenslander Rupert McCall.

For more information regarding the Regional Queensland Showcase:

• visit www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/showcase
• find Growing Regional Queensland on Facebook
• follow @RegionalQld on Twitter.

A Regional Queensland Showcase app is also available via the App Store or Google Play.

ENDS

9 June, 2015

Media contact:                        Jan Martin       3719 7370       0439 341 314