Media release
Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile
Sunday, 1 October 2000
Business Club Australia concept set to star at Athens 2004
Austrade is on the verge of signing a formal agreement with its Greek counterpart to duplicate the highly successful Business Club Australia concept during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Minister for Trade Mark Vaile disclosed today.
Mr Vaile's announcement follows a successful meeting this week between senior Greek business leader Dr Panos Lagos - Investment Project Manager for the Greek equivalent of Austrade, the Hellenic Centre for Investment (ELKE), and Austrade's Global Manager for Olympics and Sport, David Faulks.
Dr Panos visited Sydney to observe first-hand the Business Club Australia operation that, in its 13 days of Olympic operation, has attracted some 14,000 international and domestic business visitors. It is expected to achieve A$1 billion in new export and investment revenue for Australia.
"Australia is the first Olympic host country to have really put an emphasis on the business side of the Olympic Games and as a result has become truly connected," Dr Panos said.
"Having seen Business Club Australia in action I have been immediately impressed and while we perhaps won't be applying the exact same formula in the lead-up to Athens 2004, we will definitely be looking to employ several key sections of the strategy.
"Australia has shown its is very experienced in being able to attract new business so rather than try and re-invent the wheel, we are delighted to be able to work with Austrade," he added.
Mr Vaile praised Austrade for its initiative in developing Business Club Australia as part of the broader Australia Open for Business international marketing campaign.
"Not only have our athletes excelled during the Sydney 2000 Games, but thanks to the incredible achievement of Business Club Australia over the past few weeks, all Australians will reap a long term benefit from the Business Olympics.
"Our Greek counterparts can give no greater endorsement of the value and success of the Club than to buy the concept themselves."
Local Date: Sunday, 12-Feb-2012 11:17:27 EST