The Gold Coast Surf Industry Taskforce's 2012 campaign is giving the region's multi-billion dollar surf industry a strong platform to maintain its position as a global industry leader.

Cheap Asian imports and a strong Australian dollar are forcing Gold Coast surfboard makers to adapt or close down, presenting huge challenges to surf businesses based in the region.

The Gold Coast Surf Industry Taskforce (GCSITF) is an industry-led initiative to help grow and support the multi-billion dollar surf industry on the Gold Coast.

Established in February 2011 by Business Gold Coast, the taskforce acts as a collective voice on behalf of the industry with a mission to promote the continued growth and vitality of the Gold Coast surf cluster as a global industry leader.

Helping surf businesses adapt to a changing economic environment and positioning them to capitalise on emerging opportunities is strong on the GCSITF agenda in 2012 according to Chairman John Nielsen.

"Economic globalisation pressures are leaving little room for competition, so it's vital that now more than ever, the local industry maintains a united front," Mr Nielsen said.
 
"It is crucial that initiatives and collaborative efforts such as the GCSITF continue to strengthen the surf industry as it contributes approximately $2 billion annually to the Gold Coast economy.

"We have a strong focus for 2012. Several initiatives are now underway which aim to foster business, drive the industry, build skills and training development, and grow the Gold Coast's reputation as a leader in the sport of surfing as well as the surf manufacturing industry.

"We're calling on members of the surf industry to join forces - with nominations for the 2012 taskforce now open."

Current GCSITF initiatives include:

• the establishment of an official qualification framework for the surfing industry in conjunction with the Australian Surf Craft Industry Association.

• its recent appointment to the World Surf Cities Network, a new global project to develop the global surfing industry including manufacturing, tourism, surf industry investment and promotion.

• working with Connecting Southern Gold Coast to gain international exposure for Bleach* Surfing the Fringe, the city's first surf culture festival running from 11-26 February 2012

Gold Coast City Council's Economic Development and Tourism Committee Chair, Councillor Susie Douglas, said the surf industry played an important role in the city's economy.

"The surf industry is big business and supports more than 20,000 full time jobs each year and $1 billion in wages and salaries," Cr Douglas said.

"Council is throwing its support behind one of our most iconic industries, and look forward to seeing the results this collaborative approach will produce."

Nominations are now open for the 2012 taskforce from interested parties representing various sectors of the surf industry on the Gold Coast. Nominations close 5pm 9 February.

For more information, please visit www.businessgoldcoast.com.au/GCSITF.

01 February 2012