BAI Focus

BAI FOCUS

PRESS RELEASE 21/08/08

A New Focus on Byron Arts & Industry

A new and exciting line up of projects and events has been announced by Byron Arts & Industry Focus (BAI Focus), the new group formed to represent businesses within the Byron Bay Arts & Industry Estate. The first decision, popularly agreed upon at early meetings was the renaming, or rather shortening of the name to Byron Arts & Industry Park (BAIP), which will be tagged with, ‘Uniquely Byron’. New signage and campaigns to promote the BAIP will commence immediately to bring the community, that accounts for almost one third of Byron Bay’s businesses, sharply into focus.

BAI Focus was initiated by an email circulated among businesses last month, and was followed by well attended and inspiring meetings. Last week a steering committee was formed along with departments focusing on specific goals and objectives. BAI Focus will work independently, and together with Byronshire Council and Byron United, to further the interests of the BAIP and the Byron Bay community at large.

“With over 300 businesses here in the Byron Arts & Industry Park alone, we have a huge pool of talent and resources and a strong will to move forward with our objectives”, says BAI Focus Chairman, Sean Mahoney;

“Our mission objective is simple, and that is to be a community voice where none has existed before. We will initiate schemes and promote the Byron Arts & Industry Park for the businesses here, and provide a forum for discussion and feedback."

For the last three years the Byron Arts & Industry Park has been fortunate enough to have had a Pocket Guide that caters exclusively for the area. It is a vital tool as it provides a simple and easy to use guide for locals and visitors to Byronshire, whilst being an invaluable sourcing directory for wholesale buyers. BAI Focus looks forward to the expansion of the Pocket Guide as well as the creation of other printed information about BAIP which will further highlight the immense diversity and choice of shopping and services within the BAIP. Copies of the Pocket Guide can be found throughout the BAIP as well as at the Visitors Centre in Byron, the Byronshire Council front desk in Mullumbimby and other selected outlets throughout the shire as well as online online at www.byronindustrial.com.au.

It is the diversity of enterprise in these few acres that really sets Byron Arts & Industry Park apart from other ‘industrial zones’. We have a huge collection of nationally and internationally recognised businesses, and award winning artists and entrepreneurs. Where else can you shop at some of the shire’s most innovative outlets while you get your car fixed? You can buy your groceries, a work of art, solar panels, designer fashions, jewellery and crystals, the latest in interior design, a broad range of surf boards & accessories, a cube of road-base, and re-Gyprock your castle without having to leave the area. There’s ample free parking right next to the places you need to visit, kid’s playzones, technicians, mechanics, and engineers of every sort, and even a flying trapeze! And while you’re wondering why you didn’t give yourself enough time, there are excellent cafes & bakeries to grab a bite or get a coffee. You can even finish the afternoon with a visit to the hairdressers and a session at the gym. Now that’s diversity! Byronshire is in many respects the hub of alternative living in Australia, and Byron Arts and Industry is its cutting edge.

Among the host of projects now underway are new branding and signage, transport to and from the BAIP, electric bicycle rental while you are there, artist and fashion trails, special events including markets, street fairs, extended opening hours, and late night shopping, and advertising in areas outside the shire to bring more visitors to Byron Bay in general.

BAI Focus on behalf of all businesses in the Byron Arts & Industry Park is also a proud supporter of the Beautiful Byron campaign and teams are currently being formed to work on the beautification of the area.

BAI Focus is now taking membership and sponsorship both from within the Byron Arts & Industry Park and outside from the community at large. We are initially targeting signage and beautification so any donations will be gratefully accepted.

· General Membership is open to owners and/or businesses in the BAIP and is $30/year plus an optional donation.

· Associate Membership is open to anyone and is also $30/year plus an optional donation.

Those interested in becoming a member can contact BAI Focus at membership@baifocus.org.

Sponsorship pledges can be made to sponsorship@baifocus.org

A General Meeting will be held to raise and discuss new ideas. It will take place on Wednesday 3^rd September and will be held upstairs at Byron Creative, 18 Centennial Circuit, opposite Byron Entertainment Centre.

A blog has been set up for comments and suggestions at www.baifocus.org