Grand prix to make a splash in Penrith Valley

Mark it in your diary for the upcoming Penrith Valley Formula Powerboats Grand Prix series with the Grand Finale round billed for the weekend of 28 - 29 August.
More than 50 teams from across Australia will compete, making it the largest fleet of competitors ever to come together for a Formula Powerboat event.
These super speedy boats, which clock up to 250km/h, will make for amazing action and there will be plenty of off-track displays and promotions at the venue, the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith City.
Penrith City Mayor Kevin Crameri OAM said: “We’ll be seeing world-class talent at the regatta centre for the first time in two years. Come on over to see who secures the national championship.
“Look out for Cranebrook local and Formula 1 Champion in 2008, Shane Vella. He stands poised to continue his unbroken run of podium finishes, but will face strong competition from Damien McKenzie after a strong 2010 season thus far.
“On show will be Formula 1, 2 and 3 categories plus the Formula Futures, the category for junior races and intended to be the entry level to Formula Powerboat racing and the Sports Mono.”
The Futures range in age from eight to 16.
For more details visit the website, www.formulapowerboats.com.au or call the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre on 1300 736 836. An entry fee will apply for adults for pit entry.

It's Gold for the Penrith Visitor Information Centre

The staff at Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre now know why they have so many happy customers. The centre has been assessed by a panel of key tourism industry figures to be the best of its kind in Sydney.
The confirmation came at the Gala Dinner for the inaugural Greater Sydney Tourism Awards on Wednesday 4 August at Castle Hill RSL, when the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre won the Gold Award in the Tourism Services category.
The awards are based on business performance in the areas of customer service, marketing, financial viability, business planning and risk management. Assessment is based on a 30-page written submission backed up with a site visit by an expert judging panel.
In accepting the Award, Penrith City Councillor Jim Aitken OAM, noted that those who don’t have the privilege of living in Penrith Valley are still very welcome to visit and any visit will be greatly enhanced by a visit to the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre.
Council’s City Marketing Supervisor, Paul Page, noted that this award recognises the great contribution of the City Marketing team, including the permanent and casual front line staff, the 22 regular volunteers who volunteer to assist in the centre and at major events, as well as the marketing officers whose work is closely integrated with that of the visitor centre.
The Greater Sydney Tourism Awards officially operate under the umbrella of the long established state and national awards. As a Gold Award winner, the visitor information centre automatically enters the state awards as a finalist. The state awards will be held in November.
Photo (L-R) Some of the happy staff from Penrith City Council pose with award; Vanessa Campbell, Mary Henry, Geoff Shuttleworth (City Marketing Manager), Stacey Martin, Cr Jim Aitken OAM, Lesley Worthington, Paul Page (City Marketing Supervisor), Susan Hamilton & Stacey Rossetto.

New City Marketing initiatives launched

Over 100 guests attended the launch of three City Marketing initiatives including the 10th and latest edition of the Penrith Valley Experience magazine at the Lakeside Restaurant, International Regatta Centre, Penrith Lakes recently.
Also launched on the day was the third volume of the Penrith Valley Photo CD which features all the new photos featured in the magazine. It also contains a variety of aerial photos of the region taken by photographer Jeff Coles.
There was also a presentation looking at a recent successful ‘Experience Penrith Valley in winter’ regional NSW campaign co-funded by Tourism NSW which targeted areas outside of the Sydney region including Wollongong and Newcastle.
The 10th edition of the Penrith Valley Experience magazine contains dozens of new images which were all taken in-and-around the area using only local models by well known photographer Paul Foley.
Approximately 80,000 copies of the magazine was printed and will be distributed around New South Wales, Australia and even the world over the next 12-18 months.
At the launch Penrith City Mayor, Kevin Crameri (OAM) said the region had a lot to offer residents and visitors.
“We have so much to offer, from housing, jobs, education and health services,” he said. “To our stunning natural attractions and great sporting, recreation, retail and cultural facilities.
“Penrith is a great place to work, live, visit and invest in and this latest guide makes finding all of our local attractions, restaurants, parks, clubs and museums easier than ever.”
Connex West produced the magazine on behalf of Penrith City Council and the City Marketing Department.
Both the new Penrith Valley Experience magazine and Penrith Valley Photo CD are free and available to everyone.
Simply drop into the Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre, located in the carpark of Panthers or call 1 300 736 836 to obtain your copy.

Photo caption: (L-R) Graeme Dube from Connex West and Penrith City Mayor Cr Kevin Crameri (OAM) show off the three City Marketing initiatives at the launch.

Penrith VIC nominated for GST Award

The Penrith Valley Visitor Information Centre has been nominated as a finalist in the category nine, Visitor Information Services category in the upcoming 2010 Greater Sydney Tourism (GST) Awards to be handed out on August 4 at the Castle Hill RSL Club.
Two other local Penrith businesses were also nominated as finalists in various categories including Chifley Hotel, Penrith and Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
Chairman of the Greater Sydney Tourism Inc, Mr Paul Page, congratulated the finalists and said;
“The 37 finalists showed excellent business practises and we are pleased with the amount of nominations in this, our first year of the awards.”
Paul continued to say he looks forward to the gala dinner where tourism will be celebrated as an economic driver of Greater Sydney and celebrates the successes of these businesses.
“It is an achievement to be nominated as a finalist and shows what great experiences we have in this area,” concluded Mr Page.
In addition, there is also a People’s Choice Award and voting lines are now open on www.greatersydney.org.au
Everyone is invited to nominate their top three businesses from the finalists, to be crowned the most popular tourism business in Greater Sydney.