Published Friday, 18 May, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
BEATTIE LURES BIG BUSINESS WITH INDY NAMING RIGHTS
Premier Peter Beattie flew to Sydney today to attract a new naming rights sponsor for the Gold Coast Indy.
Mr Beattie, who attended a luncheon with more than 20 of Sydney’s major business players, said the naming rights of Australia’s third biggest sporting event would be available after October.
“Lexmark’s wonderful, five-year association with the Gold Coast Indy has taken the company from a virtually unknown player to number two in their market,” Mr Beattie said.
“Lexmark will continue to be an Indy sponsor, however the end of its naming rights contract creates a lucrative opportunity for another company to fast track success in Queensland.”
Mr Beattie said since it started in 1991, the Indy had become the biggest motor sport event in Australia, now eclipsing the crowd at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.
“There are only two events in Australia that attract more people - the Australian Open Tennis and the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival,” he said.
“The Gold Coast Indy, with its double whammy of CHAMP cars and V8 Supercars generates more than $60 million a year in economic return for the Smart State, and more than 173,000 visitor nights.
“Last year more than 312,000 people came through the gates and the race was broadcast to 160 countries around the world.
“The Queensland Government’s annual investment in Indy continues to generate excellent returns for the Smart State economy, and this sponsorship opportunity will deliver similar results to Lexmark’s naming rights successor,” he said.
Friday, 18 May 2007
Media contact: 3224 4500
Mr Beattie, who attended a luncheon with more than 20 of Sydney’s major business players, said the naming rights of Australia’s third biggest sporting event would be available after October.
“Lexmark’s wonderful, five-year association with the Gold Coast Indy has taken the company from a virtually unknown player to number two in their market,” Mr Beattie said.
“Lexmark will continue to be an Indy sponsor, however the end of its naming rights contract creates a lucrative opportunity for another company to fast track success in Queensland.”
Mr Beattie said since it started in 1991, the Indy had become the biggest motor sport event in Australia, now eclipsing the crowd at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.
“There are only two events in Australia that attract more people - the Australian Open Tennis and the Victorian Spring Racing Carnival,” he said.
“The Gold Coast Indy, with its double whammy of CHAMP cars and V8 Supercars generates more than $60 million a year in economic return for the Smart State, and more than 173,000 visitor nights.
“Last year more than 312,000 people came through the gates and the race was broadcast to 160 countries around the world.
“The Queensland Government’s annual investment in Indy continues to generate excellent returns for the Smart State economy, and this sponsorship opportunity will deliver similar results to Lexmark’s naming rights successor,” he said.
Friday, 18 May 2007
Media contact: 3224 4500