2010 Coober Pedy Trade Show

The 2010 Coober Pedy Gem Trade show was an outstanding success, further enhancing its reputation as one of Australia’s preeminent Opal trade shows.

Once again, the Gem Trade Show Committee was able to attract international buyers to the event with the assistance of the Department of Trade and Economic Development’s Tradestart Office.  Exhibitors reported strong buying from both domestic and international visitors.

Several advanced bookings for the 2011 event from exhibitors during the show highlighted how important and successful it has become.

Sponsorship played an important part in contributing to the success of the Gem Trade Show.  Without sponsors such as OZ Minerals, IMX Resources, the Coober Pedy Retail, Business & Tourism Association, District Council of Coober Pedy, Oz Minerals, Austrade, Regional Development Australia Far North and the Coober Pedy Opal Miners Association it would not be possible to stage the event. 

 

2009 Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show

The 3rd annual Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show continued to build on the solid reputation of the event established over the past two years, further highlighting the quality of locally sourced Opal and Gemstones.

Attracting in excess of 250 people over the two day event, visitors and buyers alike were treated to an amazing array of the various opals and gemstones sourced throughout the opal mining regions of Australia.

Once again, the collaboration between the Gem Show Committee and Austrade ensured the presence of several International buyers from China and India, culminating in an informal business dinner enabling exhibitors and international guests to further establish networking links and forge ongoing business partnerships.

The positive response from both exhibitors and buyers and the indication of their willingness to return to next years event further highlighted the success of the programme and the regard in which the Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show is held.

Again, sponsorship was a key contributing factor to the overall success of the Gem Trade Show, with industry support from the Coober Pedy Retail, Business & Tourism Association, District Council of Coober Pedy, Coober Pedy Regional, Oz Minerals, Austrade, Northern Regional Development Board and the Coober Pedy Opal Miners Association. 

 

2008 Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show

The Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show Committee was delighted with the success of its 2008 event, reflecting the importance of the opal mining industry in Coober Pedy.

Following on from the success of the previous year’s show, the event attracted approximately 200 people over 2 days and received significant praise from locals and visitors alike.

Adding to the reputation of the event, the Department of Trade and Economic Development’s Tradestart Office was able to bring 11 international buyers to Coober Pedy for 2 days. Collectively it is estimated that over $250,000 worth of opal sales were made over the two days. More importantly, participants were able to develop and/or expand their networks to create future opportunities.

The Gem Trade Show Committee is comprised of members of the Northern Regional Development Board, District Council of Coober Pedy, Coober Pedy Miners Association and the Coober Pedy Retail Business and Tourism Association. The group worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the 2008 Gem Trade Show.

Underpinning the success of the event was the generous sponsorship provided by organisations represented on the committee, together with Oxiana Prominent Hill (now OzMinerals), Coober Pedy Regional Times, IMX Resources, Thiess, Tradestart and Western Plains Resources.
 
 

2007 Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show

The inaugural Coober Pedy Gem Trade Show was a great success. With a total of 12 booth holders and 6 table sites, the Show is conservatively estimated to have sold over $100,000 of opal products.

Arising through a partnership between the Coober Pedy Retail Business and Tourism Association and the Coober Pedy Miners Association with initial seed funding from the District Council of Coober Pedy and the Northern Regional Development Board (NRDB), the Gem Show saw over 400 people walk through the exhibition hall. The committee consisted of representatives from these four organisations and PIRSA. Oxiana also contributed some funding towards the Gem Show.

“Considering that this was our first Gem Show, the Committee was delighted with the outcome”, said Steve Staines, Far North Economic Development Officer with the NRDB and Gem Trade Show Coordinator. At the conclusion of the 2007 Show, 8 of the 12 booth holders reiterated their support for the show by booking booths for the 2008 Show.