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Primex field days pivot online

Premier Casino ag show sets up digital hub ahead of physical event later this year.

In March 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, organisers of the Norco Primex field days in Casino, NSW, were forced to revise the dates of the show in line with federal and state gathering restrictions.

It meant the show, scheduled to take place from May 21 to 23, had to be pushed back to September 10 to 12, 2020, subject to further advice from government health authorities.

However, understanding local farmers need to explore purchasing opportunities before the end of the financial year, especially with the significant boost in the Instant Asset Write off, Primex organisers have set up a virtual platform that allows farmers to do just that.

The Primex Online Business Hub was ‘open for business’ from May 11 and will run till July 7 to offer plenty of time and opportunity for business owners and primary producers to do business.

The Richmond Valley Council has backed the initiative with a one-off grant of $15,000, received under the NSW Government’s Bushfire Community Resilience and Economic Recovery Fund.

“We have all had to modify and rethink how we go about business due to COVID-19,” said Primex event director, Bruce Wright.

“As a result the Primex Online Business Hub – a first for any field days event – will run through May and June and can be basically described as a ‘virtual expo’ that is designed to support all our stakeholders.

“For the past couple of years, Primex has worked with one of the world’s leading CRM (Customer Relationship Management) developers, Map Your Show. Together we have developed an online portal that is perfect for expo exhibitors and visitors.”

For the past two years, Primex’s site successfully showcased all the exhibitors and their offerings with visitors to the site able to take a virtual tour of the expo and buy or make inquiries.

“It has proven extremely successful at the past two Primexes and so, in the wake of COVID-19, we have decided to enhance it and launch it as a stand-alone event for May and June,” Wright said.

“Farmers also need to buy now. They want to take advantage of the current federal government stimulus including the $150,000 package of 100 per cent depreciation write-off before the EOFY.

“There are also travel restrictions and plenty of fear in the community. The Primex Online Business Hub will overcome both, offering a safe, targeted shopping environment.”

Already, the innovative approach has attracted the attention of several overseas businesses, more specifically from across the ditch, which have signed up to be part of the field days for the first time.

“Primex already had a strong relationship with New Zealand via its partnership with the globally renowned Mystery Creek Fieldays, however through a newly formed association with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise the connection with our friends from across ‘The Ditch’ has blossomed,” Wright added.

The New NZ exhibitors who have come on board are Te Pari Products, GPS-it, Ubco Bikes Ltd, Betacraft Workwear, Stafford Engineering and Aurora Process Solutions.

Wright said the use of world-leading online technology meant the experience for exhibitors and potential buyers was much the same as attending the actual Primex Field Days event.

“Just like at the physical event, the more exhibitors put into their site, the more attractive it is for visitors,” he said.

“Of course the beauty of the virtual site is there are no restrictions when it comes to travel. That’s why we have international brands now joining who can offer never-before-seen-in-Australia products.”

“This is an exciting first in so many ways.”

Wright said the committee is still hopeful the physical field days will go ahead as planned in September.

Primex field days pivot online

Details

  • Casino NSW 2470, Australia
  • Bruce Wright