The Great Southern is a place of great diversity. Within its boundaries is a host of places of scenic beauty as well as a diversity of produce. Everything from broad acre products, like grain and wool, to high quality gourmet produce and premium wines.
The Great Southern Region Marketing Association aims to market as a group, which is cost effective and likely to gain the most exposure for our members. Our long-term aim is to increase demand and perceived value of our members’ produce to their consumers, while promoting awareness and recognition of this unique region.
MEMBERSHIP SERVICE & BENEFITS 2008 MARKETING
Our top priority is promotion of the region’s products and services.
This year, the Association will co-ordinate the 8th edition of the Food and Wine Touring Guide. As a member you will receive substantial discounts for being in the guide.
FOOD AND WINE TOURING GUIDE
The guide highlights wineries, farm gate sales, restaurants specialising in regional food, as well as general tourist information. This will be published in September 2008, and is a joint publication with the Great Southern Wine Producers Association.
Benefits to you are ……….
• You are exposed to visitors to the region interested in food and wine.
• Food and Wine visitors will be attracted to the region.
FOOD & WINE SHOWS, FESTIVALS ETC
One of the best ways of exposing your products is to participate in a food show, trade exhibition. The Association will coordinate involvement in the most useful to your business.
Taste Great Southern Food and Wine Festival will next be held in March 2009. Members will be given priority opportunity to participate in and/or host events featuring celebrity chefs, and showcasing the region’s finest food and wine.
Benefits to you are……
• Access to premium events in professional setting.
• You may be eligible for subsidies to help with costs.
• Exposure directly to customers who want your product
• You will be exposed in a premium publication of the region
•
National media coverage of some events
•
Extensive marketing and promotion of the region and the event
ASSOCIATION WEB SITE
This is the way we showcase you to the whole world. It also provides a central contact point. The website explains the concept of the Association, notify of forthcoming events, food and wine trails, have a regularly updated harvest calendar, and product information for customer access.
Benefits to you are…….
• Your professional image will be enhanced.
• More customers know about your products and services
• You get noticed - globally
MEDIA EXPOSURE
Opportunities exist for members to get primary access to media and opportunities to promote stories during visits by major food & wine media. A few lines of copy are much more effective than full-page advertisements when it comes to promoting. Only by working together as a region will we attract major media interest such as national television this year for the Taste Great Southern festival in March 2008 (“The Great Outdoors” with Ernie Dingo and “Just Add Water”) as well as regional ABC Radio, national, state and regional news and publications, and interest from private enterprises such as Qantas and Skippers Airlines Inflight magazines.
Benefits to you are…….
• professional coverage in high profile media at little or no cost.
REGIONAL BRANDING
Central to the Association is the development of a regional brand. Regional branding is an emerging marketing opportunity across the world with consumers turning to products that have a strong link to a region known for particular qualities. We are well placed to capitalise on the emerging trends in food if we develop and consistently use a smart authentic regional brand and associated promotional strategies. The GSRMA logo is exclusively available to members for use in their business.
Benefits to you are…….
• Increased recognition by buyers and demand for your produce.
• Cost sharing of an otherwise expensive marketing task you probably could not afford individually.
NETWORKING
Three member-only networking events are offered as part of the annual membership, affording members the opportunity to easily share information, build relationships, meet with other members and to have opportunities to provide input to the association.
OTHER BENEFITS
• Full voting rights to elect your Board of management from your members
• Newsletter bi-monthly
• Priority notice and invitations to explore business opportunities identified by GSRMA members
• Priority involvement in events to promote your products and services
Aims and Objectives:
♦ Foster the synergy of food, wine, agriculture and tourism
in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia.
♦ Help to maintain existing relationships with customers who
purchase regional product from the Great Southern Region
of Western Australia and build new ones.
♦ Establish and implement an ongoing marketing and promotion
plan for product from the Great Southern Region of Western Australia.
♦ Develop and control the integrity of the regional brand that is developed for the promotion
of Great Southern Regional produce.
Structure of the Association
The Great Southern Region Marketing Association (Inc),
was established as an incorporated body in January2001.
Its constitution allows for a Board of Management of (up to) 13 members.
Marketing Support
An experienced Marketing Officer,
Elise van Gorp, has been appointed and can be contacted on 0412 041 625.
This will give the association professional presence at trade shows, high level support
for members to develop their products.
Our Vision
To develop the synergy of food, wine, agriculture and tourism by creating a brand image of the region in the mind of consumers.
