PRESIDENTS REPORT

It is indeed my privilege to invite you, the exhibitor, to participate in the 4O years and 21 bi-annual North Queensland Field Days at Townsville on the 12 th and 13 th May, 2010. The event is held at the Stuart Correctional Farm Reserve, 12km on the highway south of the city, has indeed earned the name “Expo of the North”.

It is the time when every relevant piece of current machinery, trucks, cars, camping equipment, primary producers represented with the latest cattle techniques, fencing, crop improvements, and other miscellaneous equipment all go outdoors to show to the North Queensland market place, and the buying public, what there is to offer.

The days are without a doubt the largest and most successful of their type in Queensland and one of the biggest in Australia.

With over 500 blocks prepared by the Correctional Centre, with power and water facilities, we are anticipating a full house this year and I would strongly advise filling in the application quickly. The closing time, a month earlier than in the past, will be strictly adhered to, and this will help us streamline the organisation and ensure all is ready for May.

The blocks will be balloted with some preference, where possible, to affiliated companies, and the number of blocks required will set the new ground layout for years to come. We are expecting a sellout and we retain the right to reject applications, but because we are the only true exhibitors' Field Days, we will do out best. Facilities have been further improved to make more than 75,000 people over the two (2) days most welcome.

The North Queensland marketplace has proved in this recessional time, to be remarkably resilient, and the result of your participation will ensure more sales. The Committee are very conscious of the drink driving laws and consequently will be commissioning bus services to run continuously over the 2 day event to accommodate the public. The Committee have also stuck to their policy of free admission for the public.

To all the old friends who have supported us in the past - “Welcome again!! Get in quickly” and to the newcomers - “You will never regret being part of the Expo of the North”.

Come and be a part of it!