Export Awards give recognition - 2002 Australian Export Awards - Brief Article

Business Asia, April, 2002

RECEIVING RECOGNITION for the hard work that goes into making an export company a success is one of the main benefits of the Australian Export Awards, according to 2001 DHL Exporter of the Year Award winner BRL Hardy.

Speaking on behalf of the South Australian-based wine company, international marketing manager Jim Humphrys said it was great to receive recognition from your peers, and the fact the competition was divided into different categories was an incentive to get involved.

For the company itself, Humphrys says the Award was "a great pat on the back".

"It's confirmation of the success we've had in the international market place," he said.

Humphrys said BRL Hardy had won the South Australia Agribusiness Export Award for the last five years in a row, along with the National Agribusiness Export Award and the South Australian Premiers Award for Export Success on three occasions.

The company exports to more than 50 countries, and is the biggest selling off-trade wine brand in the United Kingdom.

It is one of over 310 companies who have won awards since the competition began in 1963.

In 2001, there were over 350 entrants, and a record 69 finalists, of which 20 per cent were from regional Australia.

The Australian Export Awards play an important role in strengthening and stimulating greater involvement in exporting amongst the country's businesses.

By participating in the awards, companies gain valuable recognition for their business, as they are publicly acknowledged by their peers, the government and the wider business community for their business excellence.

The awards are divided into several categories (11). Judging is based on a basic criteria, including quality of the export marketing strategy, company infrastructure, level of export sales as a proportion of total sales, sustainable growth in export sales, and sound capital base.

Applications for the 2002 Australian Export Awards open in May, celebrated by a launch in Sydney attended by Federal Trade Minister Mark Vaile.

To be in the running for an award, companies must first enter their relevant State/Territory Export Awards, which can be done by requesting an application kit and guidelines from the local organiser.

Contact details for local organisers, and other information, are available via Susan Hamilton-Quay at the 2002 Australian Export Awards Secretariat. Phone 02 9957 9802 or suehq@charlton.com.au, or visit www.charlton.com.au/exportawards or www.austrade.gov.au

UPCOMING EVENTS:

* National Launch -- Tuesday May 7, Sydney

* Top Exporters Panel discussion and Luncheon -- June, Perth

* Regional Exporters Event, -- Toowoomba, Queensland

* 2nd Top Exporters Panel Discussion and Luncheon -- August, Sydney

* National Finalists Breakfast -- November, Parliament House, Canberra

* Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony -- Tuesday November 26, Crown Tower, Melbourne

STATE AND TERRITORY EXPORT AWARD ORGANISERS -- 2002

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Ms Mayumi Smith
BusinessACT
GPO Box 243
Civic Square
CANBERRA A.C.T. 2608
Phone: 02 6205 0004
Fax: 02 6205 0613
Email: Mayumi.Smith@act.gov.au

NORTHERN TERRITORY
Mr Kevin Peters
Manager, International Trade & Commerce
Nth Territory Chamber of Commerce & Indy
GPO Box 1825
DARWIN NT 0801
Phone: 08 8936 3100
Fax: 08 8981 1405
Email: kevinp@ntcci.com.au

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Ms Wendy Rush
Trade Adviser
Business SA
136 Greenhill Road
UNLEY SA 5061
Phone: 08 8300 0128
Fax: 08 8179 0528
Email: wendyr@business-sa.com

VICTORIA
Ms Jenna Korin
Events Co-ordinator
Dept of State & Regional Development
GPO Box 4509RR
Melbourne VIC 3001
Phone: 03 9651 9923
Fax: 03 9651 8049
Email: jenna.korin@dsd.vic.gov.au

NEW SOUTH WALES
Mr Ian Murray
Chief Executive Officer
Australian Institute of Export (NSW)
Level 12, 83 Clarence Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9350 8170
Fax: 02 9262 3262
Email: aiexnsw@aiex.com.au

QUEENSLAND
Ms Janne Rayner
Senior Communications Officer
Department of State Development
P. O. Box 168
Brisbane Albert Street QLD 4002
Phone: 07 3224 7011
Fax: 07 3234 1520
Email: janne.rayner@sd.qld.gov.au

TASMANIA
Ms Ann Atkinson
Project Manager, Marketing
Department of State Development
GPO Box 646
HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6233 5838
Fax: 03 6233 5800
Email: aatkinson@dsd.tas.gov.au

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Ms Joanne Roulston
Public Affairs
Dept of Industry & Technology
168 St. Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6850
Phone: 08 9327 5991
Fax: 08 9327 5929
Email: jroulston@indtech.wa.gov.au