MEDIA RELEASE

DATE – 29 October 2014

For immediate release

National Agricultural Fieldays 2014 open for business

Organisers of New Zealand’s iconic agribusiness expo, NZ National Agricultural Fieldays, have released the prospectus for the 2014 event and are urging interested businesses to act quickly if they wish to secure a presence at the globally recognised event.

Fieldays 2014 will be held 11 to 14 June at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton. To date there has been healthy interest with 75% of outdoor agribusiness sites already reserved; this is up from the 70% pre-allocated figure for the 2013 event.

All remaining sites are now released for general sale and businesses should apply before December 1st for the best chance of securing their preferred site (In 2013, 97% of Fieldays sites had sold out by February).

346 companies have already taken advantage of the opportunity to secure their Fieldays sites for 2014, with many anticipating one of the biggest Fieldays in years following indications of a record pay-out from Fonterra.

ANZ Rural Economist Con Williams says the 2013-14 dairying season promises to deliver a record payout.

“At current forecasts, and with a strong start to the season for production, dairy farmers are set to receive nearly $5 billion (+50%) of extra revenue compared with last year. This equates to nearly 2.5% of GDP. With allot prioritised for capital and deferred maintenance expenditure, the 2014 Fieldays promises to provide plenty of opportunities for exhibitors.”

In 2013, Fieldays provided a platform for almost 900 exhibitors to represent themselves in front of 125,000 visitors and gain global media attention.

NZ National Agricultural Fieldays CEO Jon Calder says Fieldays is regarded worldwide as an agribusiness expo that is truly world class and is the ideal place to launch agricultural products and services to New Zealand and the world.

“Fieldays is entering an exciting period of change and there are many new initiatives planned for 2014 and beyond to ensure Fieldays continues to be the leading agri-business event for New Zealand and international exhibitors”.

The Premier Feature and topical theme of Fieldays 2014 is ‘Managing Resources for a Competitive Advantage’; which questions how, in today’s highly competitive global economy, New Zealand can maintain its worldwide fame for being a great producing nation with innovative systems and high quality products and services.

The thought provoking theme will provide a compelling showcase for how we manage scarce resources to make the most of our opportunities, and maintain our place among the world’s best. Companies who wish to exhibit in the exclusive Premier Feature area will join what will be a highly visible part of Fieldays 2014 covering topics such as: traceability, nutrient management, animal health, sourcing power, and developing efficient feed sources.

Innovation will continue to play a key part in Fieldays as kiwi ingenuity is once again recognised in the Fieldays Innovation Centre, partnered by Vodafone. The Innovation Awards feature grassroots inventions and concepts right through to innovative products launched to the global market. The Fieldays Innovation Den powered by SODA Inc. is the platform that connects inventors and entrepreneurs with global opportunities and industry leaders. The live event is held during Fieldays and sees inventors pitching to a panel of investors and business leaders. In 2013 the Innovation Den featured many amazing inventors, including star of the show 12-year-old Patrick Roskam. While pitching his new product, the Gudgeon Pro 4 in 1, Patrick was so enthusiastic and passionate that a member of the audience, Sir William Gallagher, joined him on stage to offer an invite to visit the Research and Development department at Gallaghers. Patrick was also offered marketing assistance by Vodafone’s Rural Marketing Manager Darren Hopper.

So what else is new for Fieldays 2014

The National Fieldays Society is pleased to announce many improvements for the 2014 event including:

• A new look website, providing friendly and useful information to exhibitors and visitors

• The first steps being taken, as part of a 20 year Master Plan, to develop a central precinct

• Fieldays Seminar and Education Programme supported by Strategic Partners ANZ and the University of Waikato

• Taking further steps in a sustainability programme and working to make Fieldays New Zealand’s first sustainable event

• The Fieldays Breeds Area; hosting New Zealand Breed Associations and daily demonstrations on their breeds attributes

The prospectus is an invaluable and comprehensive guide to exhibiting at Fieldays and not only details how companies can apply for a site, but provides information on how to make sure they maximise their presence at Fieldays. The Fieldays 2014 Prospectus can be downloaded from www.fieldays.co.nz and site allocation will take place after December 1st 2013.

New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays will be held 11-14 June 2014 at Mystery Creek Events Centre, 10 minutes south of Hamilton. Fieldays is proudly supported by strategic partners - ANZ and the University of Waikato.

For more information, head to the Fieldays website, www.fieldays.co.nz.

ENDS

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