Leading cattle industry figures from around the world are lining up to explore new business opportunities at Beef Australia 2012, the biggest industry event of its kind in Australia.

So far more than 100 domestic and international business representatives have registered for the Queensland Government’s Beef Australia 2012 business matching program, Handshakes, with participants coming from as far afield as Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Pakistan, Paraguay, Bolivia, China, Columbia, Brazil, Argentina, Nigeria, Ghana, Ireland, and South Africa.

Beef Australia 2012 presents a once in a life time experience for producers from other parts of the world to engage with the best of Australia’s cattle industry, as well as experience the unique culture and landscape of the Outback.

Held just once every three years in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, this year’s event from May 7-12 will feature more than 4000 cattle from more than 30 different breeds, which will compete in stud, commercial and carcase competitions.

But that is just the start - Beef Australia 2012 will follow a theme of ‘Innovation, Collaboration, Inspiration, Celebration’, and will also feature trade displays, property tours, seminars, celebrity chefs, premium restaurants, and live entertainment.

“Beef Australia 2012 is a fantastic experience for the hundreds of international visitors who attend the exposition, which is held just once every three years,” Beef Australia 2012 chief executive Roger Desailly said.

“This year will be no different, and our international guests have the chance to engage with global industry experts and Australia’s industry leaders at our Bayer & Bioniche International Beef Cattle Genetics Conference.

“And they can also taste some Australiana, with nightly shows of our legendary tale, The Man From Snowy River - a tale of love, heroism and horseback pursuit, with the characters bidding to recapture the colt of a prizewinning racehorse that is living wild with brumbies in the Outback mountain ranges.”

Located in the heart of Australia’s cattle country, Beef Australia 2012 provides a unique opportunity for overseas visitors to develop contacts in the Australian industry and view first-hand the beef production systems and the beauty of the bush by participating in a Beef Australia 2012 property tour to leading local cattle stations.

Organisers have developed several special programs to assist international delegates to Beef Australia 2012, including language translation support.

Visitors from overseas will be given free entry to the Expo, as well as free access to an International Business Lounge.

They will also be provided with invitations to a number of high-level industry functions and networking events attended by the leaders of the Australian beef industry.

The Beef Australia 2012 exhibition is not just limited to the show ring, seminar rooms and social functions; Beef Australia 2012 is an event like no other that every cattleman must experience.

Book your place now and be part of Beef Australia 2012 in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, on May 7-12.

• Assistance with travel and accommodation, as well as bookings for pre and post expo tours, is available through Quadrant AgTours at www.quadrantaustralia.com.
• For more information on Beef Australia 2012 and to register as an international delegate to the expo, visit www.beefaustralia.com.au or contact +61 (7) 4922 2989.