The Business Down Under Forum will highlight and focus on the business opportunities that exist between Australia & Florida. The Forum will provide key information about new Australian products and services entering the market with an extensive introduction to the business climate and culture Down Under. The forum also provides  networking connections between Australians & Floridians. With the recent establishment of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement there are many new opportunities for Australian and Floridian companies.

The Business Down Under Forum will connect Australian and Floridian businesses in an informative and friendly forum:

• Business Presentations: By notable Australian and Floridian business leaders presenting import/export, trade, investment and key service providers ... 

• Business Forum Welcome by The Honorable Amanda Hodges, Australian Consul General, Atlanta & The Honorable Diana Wasserman-Rubin, Broward County Commissioner 

• Key Note Luncheon: A close up and personal presentation by the Business Down Under Forum's key note speaker:  
  
  Mr. Lance Cushion, Gold Coast, Australia
         - Superyacht Base Australia, Chief Executive Office, Gold Coast, Australia
         - International Superyacht Society, President - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

• Networking Opportunities: A unique opportunity to develop contacts and connections for doing business between Australia and Florida... 

• Australian Business exhibit in foyer including exhibits on Australian Trade, Gold Coast Queensland Trade, Australian Properties and Taxation and Australian Career Opportunities...

Business Down Under Forum - "Connecting the Land Down Under"

Forum Moderators:

Carlos Munoz, District Manager
      Australian Trade Commission, Miami
Grant C. Pforr, Councillor
      Gold Coast City Councillor, QLD, AUS.
Jan McGrath, President
      ANZACC National Body, Arizona
Tony Meredith, Category Director
      Fonterra Brands Inc., Florida
Dean Shortland, Media Director
      Australian Festival - USA - (Emcee)

7:30 am - "Breakfast of Champions" 

Breakfast of Champions will focus on Australia's tremendous sporting history and our most popular sports down under including the very recent World Championship win by the Australian cricket team. Australia is one of the world's most sporting nations and a light breakfast will be served as our attendees learn about the exciting international sports opportunities that exist between Australia and Broward County.

• Dean Shortland, Forum Emcee - BUSINESS DOWN UNDER INTRODUCTION

• Joshua Goodstein/Cameron Pinnock – Fort Lauderdale Squids - AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
• Chand Singh – Broward County Cricket – INTERNATIONAL CRICKET
• John Webb – Vice President, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB – SPORTS IN BROWARD
• Q/A to speakers 

8:30 am - "Official Welcome Ceremony" 

The Business Down Under Forum is delighted to bring together two great countries with a focus and purpose of connecting business opportunity. The Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States that was established in 2005 creates greater global market opportunity for our countries that share such similar cultures and values. There has never been a better time to explore the possibilities as we come together for this exciting event. 

The Honorable Amanda Hodges, Australian Consul General, Atlanta

OFFICIAL AUSTRALIA WELCOME

 
The Honorable Diana Wasserman-Rubin, Broward County Commissioner 

OFFICIAL BROWARD COUNTY WELCOME

9:00 am - Session One - "Introducing The Land Down Under"

Doing business with companies from the land down under is full of opportunities. But being successful within the global market requires an in-depth knowledge of various landscapes. What are the economic, environmental and cultural climates? Additionally, what countries and gateways does Australia provide a direct and friendly avenue too? This session empowers our attendees with a good starting knowledge of the current climate of doing business with the Land Down Under.

• Amanda Hodges, Australian Consul General, Atlanta –  BUSINESS CLIMATE
• Jan McGrath, President, ANZACC National - CULTURE & ENVIRONMENT
• Kirk Demeter, President, Down Under Answers – TOURISM & TRAVEL
• Q/A to speakers

10:00-10:15 am - Morning Tea Break 

10:15 am - Session Two - "Trade from the Land Down Under"

Australian companies produce world class products and services. Many of these great products have not yet entered the United States Markets. As Australian products strengthen their global brands the opportunity and need for placement, marketing and distribution in South Florida provides many new opportunities. This session provides our attendees with the organizations, their people and the networks that are constantly bringing Australian opportunities to the Broward County market place. 

• Carlos Munoz, District Manager, Miami - AUSTRADE – AUSTRALIAN TRADE
• Councillor Pforr, Gold Coast City Council – GOLD COAST SPOTLIGHT
• Tony Walton – Barrier Reef Pools, USA - AUSTRALIAN SUCCESS STORY
• Q/A to speakers

11:15 am - 12:30 pm - Business Down Under Luncheon - Keynote Speaker

While enjoying a great luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure you will have the opportunity to enjoy an intimate and up-close presentation by our keynote speaker. Our luncheon is always a highlight of the forum with excellent networking and social opportunities. And our keynote speaker will leave a lasting impression about his personal success story and highlight his experiences in the spirit of Australia and the United States friendship.

Luncheon Keynote Speaker:

Lance Cushion - Gold Coast, Australia

• Superyacht Base Australia, Chief Executive Office, Gold Coast, Australia
• International Superyacht Society, President - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

A foundation director of Superyacht Base Australia, Lance Cushion has worked tirelessly in establishing the peak national body representing the Australian superyacht industry. Since January 2000, Lance has held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. His work in government advocacy and marketing has enabled the Australian superyacht industry to develop to a $500 million industry and is well recognized... [Read Lance's Full Biography]

12:45 am - Session Three - "Business Down Under"

Floridian products and services are exported to Australia every single day. These numbers continue to grow annually as our global economy develops as well as our relationships. Exporting to Australia will provide key information on how Australia can become a future market location or a gateway location to Asia then this is your session. This session provides our attendees with the organizations, their people and the networks that can help you penetrate the Australian market place.

• John Diep, Enterprise Florida, Director Asia Pacific Rim – FLORIDA DOWN UNDER
• Steve Douglas - Australian Properties - AUSTRALIAN PROPERTY MARKETS
• Nabeel Youakim, Vice President, Citrix Systems - FLORIDA SUCCESS STORY
• Q/A to speakers

1:45 pm - Session Four - "Service Providers"

In the last five years Australia, has made tremendous strides in identifying established key service providers in the United States that specialize in Australian-American related services. Getting to know these organizations will help both your short and long term business strategies. This session provides our attendees with an introduction to a selection of service providers demonstrating their expertise.

• Steve Douglas, President, Australian Specialty Mortgage & Taxation, Singapore
• Tim Denney, Stirling Henry Migration Services, Sydney, Australia
• Diana Pizzari, Online Services Director, Advance - Australian Global Professionals, New York
• Q/A to speakers

2:45 p.m. – Business Down Under Closing Remarks - Forum Moderators

Official Sponsors & Partners:

Australian Trade Commission, Superyacht Base Australia, Southern Light and Gas, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau & Gold Coast City Council

Business Down Under Forum - www.businessdownunder.com
November 2, 2007
Hyatt Regency Bonaventure
250 Racquet Club Road,
Weston, Florida, 33326

Interviews, Photos and Aussie accents for promotion are available upon request.

Media Standards and Images can be found at - http://www.australianfestival.com/standards.htm

FOR FURTHER FESTIVAL MEDIA INFORMATION

Additional Media & Image Requests
Festival Design Director - Vicki Payne
(615) 443-9050