An Adelaide chapter of the global South Australia Club has been launched by its inaugural Patron, His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AO, Governor of South Australia.
Minister for Investment and Trade Martin Hamilton-Smith said the South Australia Club was started in London by the Agent General, Bill Muirhead AM in 2010.
“Mr Muirhead started the concept by bringing together influential people with an interest in South Australia’s development,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
“South Australia’s future economic growth is dependent upon promoting our international connections and growing our engagement.
“In 2015, additional chapters of the Club were launched in Hong Kong and Shanghai, which are already making a positive difference to the state’s engagement with China.
“This year, in addition to the Adelaide chapter, we hope to establish new chapters in Bangkok, Singapore and Mumbai.
“The original London Club started with 36 members, reflecting the year South Australia was founded, 1836.
“This Club meets four times a year to learn about, and explore, key frontiers of development in the state and it has been a powerful means of generating interest in and mobilising South Australia’s network of influence in the antipodes.
“Prominent members of the London Club include the head of wine buying for food retail giant, TESCO, and the international heads of significant businesses with operations in Adelaide, such as BTG, Babcock, Ultra Electronics and BAE Systems.
“Media personalities such as Phil Liggett, the voice of international cycling have joined, along with leading South Australian business figures such as Basil Scarsella and Robert Champion de Crespigny.
“Today it has grown into a global network of 200 members, who are eligible to join by invitation.
“Importantly, members are encouraged to bring a guest to each event, ensuring a dynamic network to generate further interest in South Australia.
“The focus of the Adelaide chapter will be on business and investor migrants, as well as business leaders running foreign operations in South Australia.
“Membership will provide access to events and connections with members across the UK, India, Singapore, Thailand and China, which strategically aligns to areas that will deliver the greatest impact to our economy and the state’s planned business mission calendar.”
Adelaide’s South Australia Club will not occupy a physical space, with networking events organised throughout the year in prominent Adelaide locations.
For more information visit: http://southaustraliaclub.sa.gov.au