London reception backs Australia's sports events industry

Australia's major sporting event industry was showcased over the weekend at a high-level networking reception in London.
Coinciding with the opening of the London 2012 hundreds of dignitaries and decision-makers from future host countries attended Australia Unlimited 2012, a multi-media event featuring interactive and audio-visual displays at Australia House, the home of the Australian High Commission in London.
Federal Minister for Sport, Kate Lundy, delivered the keynote address profiling the achievements of Australia's leading major sporting event companies, and launched an innovative app detailing Australian companies with experience in the sporting event industry.
Federal Trade and Competitiveness Minister Craig Emerson said Australia's expertise in sports event organising was further proof of the diversity of its economy and of its exports base.
Minister Emerson stated "this industry is important not only for the export revenue and jobs it creates, but also for its role in promoting Australian professionalism and skill in the biggest arena of all international sport.
"Following our successful staging of the Sydney 2000 Olympics and subsequent sporting events, Australia has established a distinguished track record in helping other host nations achieve similar results."
The reception came in the week that Australasian Leisure Management exclusively revealed that the Governments of NSW, Queensland and Victorian were quietly winding down their support of the Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat (AISES), the agency that has promoted Australia's major events expertise to the world since the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
The guest list at the Australia Unlimited 2012 event included delegates from countries that are either hosting or bidding to host forthcoming Olympics, FIFA World Cups, Rugby World Cups and other major sporting events: including representatives from Brazil, Japan, Qatar, Russia, Spain, South Korea, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Minister Lundy said the reception was a chance to mark Australia's contribution to the London Games through projects such as the London Olympic Stadium, designed by Populous; the Olympic Village, built by Lend Lease; and the blue hockey pitches, produced by Melbourne-based manufacturer Advanced Polymer Technology Australasia.
Senator Lundy added "this event is a wonderful initiative designed to highlight the strength of Australia's sport industry.
"In Australia we have a breadth of expertise that has fostered our international reputation as the go-to nation for hosting world-class sporting events.
"Our major sporting event capability covers the full 10-year event lifecycle, including bidding, planning, staging, management and venue design and construction."
Minister Lundy also launched an innovative technology app called 'Track Record' at the event. The app profiles 76 Australian firms with an unparalleled understanding and expertise in planning and staging major events.
The new app is compatible with both Apple and Android technology and available for download through iTunes and Google Play.
In addition to the 'Track Record' app, a special edition of the Australia Unlimited iPad magazine app will be showcased at the reception. The electronic magazine features stories of major Australian sporting event specialists.
For more information on Australia's contribution to the London Olympics, download the app or visit

http://www.australiaunlimited.com