A team of students from Griffith University have been named National Winner of the 2007 Austrade Exporting for the Future Export Plan Competition.
The Griffith Business School students, Aleisha Norton, Kym Myers, Mark Bagshaw and Jennifer Wood beat more than 100 entries to take first place and $1,000 in prize money at the National Export Awards night, held recently.
Team spokesperson Aleisha Norton said the team was very excited by the result.
“We had no idea we were going to win. We put a lot of hard work into the plan, so it’s great to get recognition,” Aleisha said.
The team put together an export market plan for the Australian Centre for Lifestyle Horticulutre (ACLH). The Centre uses a consortium approach to provide export opportunities to Queensland’s horticulture industry.
Aleisha said the ACLH was currently operating overseas but wanted to expand its export activities.
“Our plan outlined export projects in three potential target markets across the Centre’s portfolio of nursery supplies, landscaping services and turf,” Aleisha said.
“Previously exporting wasn’t a career option we’d considered, but through the competition it is definitely something we’ve become interested in.”
Griffith Business School Dean of Learning and Teaching Professor Lorelle Frazer said it was a fantastic result for the team and for the University.
“It’s always rewarding to see students perform well on a national stage and this is the second time in three years a Griffith Business School team has won the competition, with no Griffith team competing in 2006,” Professor Frazer said.
“These students have a very bright future ahead and Griffith is pleased we could help them along that path.”