FRONT AND CENTRE FOR QUEENSLAND BRANDS: PREMIER

High-profile Queenslanders and the State’s unique culinary delights are set to woo on one of the world’s most lucrative market – the United States of America, Premier and Minister for Trade Peter Beattie announced.

Mr Beattie said Queensland will have a starring role in the G’Day USA: Australia Week 2007 promotion which has grown into one of the biggest global feasts of its kind since starting in 2004.

“Last year Australia Week had over 7000 participants and an audience reach of 100 million across the United States and Australia,” Mr Beattie said.

“Among our top-quality Queensland fare going on show will be food, wine, arts, film, fashion, Indigenous culture, tourism and trade,” he said.

“The wide range of quality Queensland products, services and talented people shows our State has so much to offer as a place to visit as well as conduct business.

“The promotion is also a great opportunity to grow Queensland’s reputation as an innovative, sophisticated economy with leading edge research and technology in products, goods and services.

“G’Day USA generates enormous exposure for Queensland.”

Mr Beattie said Currumbin Waters-based The Vege Chip Company would be one of four Queensland food and wine companies taking centre stage at The Australian Made Food and Beverage Trade Day.

The Vege Chip Company manager Shaun Connor said this would be a fantastic opportunity to promote his company’s range of healthier snack alternatives which have been popular with Queensland school kids.

“We have been interested in breaking into the American market for some time now and are eager to gain recognition for our ‘No Hidden Nasties’ range of natural snack foods,” Mr Connor said.

“Queenslanders love them, and we’re hoping Americans will too,” he said.

The other three Queensland food and wine companies are Gelati Italia, Pacific Rim International and Tamborine Mountain Distillery.

In addition, Queensland wagyu beef, HerveyBay scallops and North Queensland tropical rock lobsters will feature on the event’s menu, including the Black Tie Gala dinner.

But that’s not all.

Mr Beattie said Queensland’s reputation as a creative and innovative State will be showcased through performances by local stars including The Veronicas. And Queensland fashion designers Gail Reid and George Wu will partner with Ford’s Supermodel of the World program and present select pieces from their Spring/Summer ’06 collection at the Fashion Extravaganza/Runway Show.

Mr Beattie said the Australia Week fashion show gives up-and-coming Australian fashion designers exposure and an export platform.

“Since presenting her label in the Australia Week fashion show in 2006 Gail Reid has made incredible inroads into the US market,” said the Premier.

“She now has an agent representing her line in the US nationally and her label, Gail Sorrondo, is stocked at a number of select specialty US boutiques in California, New York, Arizona and Florida.”

Mr Beattie said a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award will be dedicated to Aussie icon Steve Irwin and his Wildlife Warriors Foundation will be recognised.

“Steve Irwin was a great advocate for Queensland and Australia and he regularly performed at the Australia Week event,” he said.

“To continue this legacy, Terri and Bindi Irwin will be performing at the Family Aussie Concert.”

Mr Beattie said other highlights include a CEO Golf Day hosted by Ian Baker Finch, a luncheon profiling Australian innovation and investment potential to the US market and the Great Aussie Online Auction which offers a range of unique Australian vacation experiences.

“Last year lucky participants had the chance to bid on once-in-a-lifetime surfing lessons with Australia’s seven-time World Surfing Champion Layne Beachley,” Mr Beattie said.

G’Day USA: Australia Week 2007 runs from January 11-20 in Los Angeles and New York. Full details of the week’s events can be viewed at www.australia-week.com.

Media Contacts: Premier’s Office – 0439 727 107

The Vege Chip Company sales and promotions manager David Jones (07) 5525 0670