GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA EXPORT AWARDS

The Governor of Victoria Export Awards has been running for 30 years and showcases the truly remarkable achievements of Victoria's export sector.

Winners of these major awards add value to their business by giving them a competitive advantage and virtual passport to overseas markets, increasing respect within their industry, raising awareness of their company and their products, and promoting company pride.

Advanced Polymer Technology Australasia (APTA) is honoured to have received not only the 2008 Governor of Victoria Small to Medium Manufacturer Award but also the coveted 2008 Victorian Exporter of the Year Award. The winning of these awards validates the Company's appreciation of employees and gives recognition to their effort and commitment in making Advanced Polymer Technology Australasia a global leader in the design, manufacture and construction of world class synthetic sporting surfaces.

Extensive use of the Awards logo on both domestic and export documentation has contributed to raising APTA's export profile and has added to the Company's prestige in highly competitive export markets. The Awards have injected an extra sense of pride throughout the company, continuing the momentum to achieve further export milestones", Dr Martin Schlegel, Managing Director.

Winners of the 2009 Governor of Victoria Export Awards will be recognised at a ceremony to be held at Government House on Wednesday, 21 October 2009. These same winners automatically progress as national finalists to the 2009 Australian Export Awards which will be presented at a prestigious Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in November.

Award categories include:

Education and Training Award: For outstanding innovation and export achievement in the field of education and training services, expertise and curriculum.

Emerging Exporter Award: For outstanding export achievement by an enterprise in any industry sector which has been exporting goods or services for three years or less.

Information and Communication Technology Award: For outstanding export achievement in the field of information and communication products, technology or services.

Regional Exporter Award: For outstanding export achievement by a business whose head office is based in a non-metropolitan location.

Small Business Award: For outstanding export achievement by any business with total annual sales not exceeding $3 million.

Victorian Export Award for Innovation Excellence: This is a special Victorian Award established to recognise the overall most innovative exporter. Entrants in all categories will be eligible for this special award. It will consider innovation in all aspects of the company's export operations.

To apply now go to the Export Awards website at: http://www.exportawards.gov.au/vic

Applications close Friday 17 July 2009.