Increasing interest in the performance market in North America is attracting many Australian businesses seeking export opportunities to attend the 2012 Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show, to be held from 29 November to 1 December, 2012 in Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
PRI is the largest motorsport and high performance trade show in the world and in 2011 attracted over 40,000 trade-only attendees from 72 countries. In addition to the US domestic market, buyers from emerging performance markets such as the Middle East, Russia and Asia were also in attendance.
This will be one of the largest Australian export missions to participate in PRI, the region's largest trade show focused solely on performance and racing aftermarket products. The delegation is being organised by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) with support from both the Victorian and South Australian Governments.
The Victorian Government is again offering comprehensive support to local companies participating in this mission through direct financial rebates, promotional videos, business matching and will also have a dedicated Victorian display at the PRI Show.
“The Victorian Government recognises the value in supporting these types of missions and this assistance makes it possible for small and medium size Australian businesses to compete in international markets," said AAAA Senior Manager - Government Relations and International, Ben Bartlett. “The success of this type of mission shows the strength of the industry on a global scale”, said Bartlett.
The South Australian Government has recently committed their support to this mission and is offering local companies financial support, on the ground support and market information.
"North America is our industry's number one export destination. This will be our fourth mission to this show. Australia punches above its weight here with the largest international pavilion at the show for the second year in a row, spanning 360sqm," said Bartlett.
Australian manufactured performance products have become synonymous with quality and innovation throughout North America and PRI offers the aftermarket a fantastic opportunity to promote "Australian Made" to the American market. Showcasing Australian designed and manufactured high performance parts, the Australian National Pavilion creates a buzz throughout the show.
Graham Scudamore-Smith, the managing director of SuperPro said “The Australian contingent at PRI has become a destination for many buyers. The comments are always about the quality and presentation of the products, and more importantly we are getting results due to that impact”.
The National Pavilion delivers the message that Australian high performance products are among the best in the world. The products on show at PRI are proving they are leading edge with huge sales growth in the fiercely competitive US market. Companies that participated in the 2011 mission saw upwards of AU$6,000,000 in export sales.
During his visit to Australia earlier this year, John Kilroy, Vice- President of PRI said “it was an outstanding opportunity for me to hear the stories of some great racing and performance companies located in Australia. Time after time, I saw how they belong in the US marketplace”.
