Stand numbers increased by just over 50 percent over the trade show in Melbourne in 2003, the total number this time reached 345 exhibitors. Around 6,500 visitors attended the 3 days of the show.

"More stands at this show occupied larger floor areas and they were of a much higher quality," said Kim Elliott, Executive Director AAAA. "We also had a much bigger presence from overseas exhibitors, with pavilions from Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand supplemented by individual exhibits from the USA, Canada, UK, Czech Republic, India, China, South Africa, Hong Kong and New Zealand. In all, 80 overseas companies exhibited at the show."

"Celebrating our 25th anniversary at the trade show only reinforced how far the industry has come in recent times. Organising our own trade show over the last three years has been the making of the industry, the quality of the exhibits and the professionalism of the industry is testament to the direction the AAAA is taking."

Already the next AAAA Trade Show, to be held in Melbourne at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre in June 2007, looks to be bigger than 2005 with strong interest being expressed in the show from local and international exhibitors. l