For a full preview of each testimonial click on the links below.

Click here for our testimonial feature.

"It is my view that the excellent IER Corporate Planning process played a significant role in assisting Council to achieve a stunning turnaround in the growth of the Melton Shire. I would strongly recommend the methodology used in the IER Corporate Planning process at Melton Shire Council. It provided my Council with an open and transparent Budget preparation process which was very important in restoring community confidence in the performance of Melton Shire." ALISTAIR FRASER PAST CHAIRMAN MELTON SHIRE COUNCIL "There is no doubt that we would not have a hallmark stadium today without the dedicated commitment of IER's team who managed to not only capture our vision for the future, but also then execute the difficult funding negotiations required to find the money. They deserve the highest accolade for securing the future of greyhound racing for generations to come." MARGARET LONG GENERAL MANAGER MELBOURNE GREYHOUND RACING ASSOCIATION	"Please accept my personal thanks, and those of the Company for your part in making the event a success. You should be proud of the part you have played in achieving the impossible." BOB BARNARD PROJECT DIRECTOR SANCTUARY COVE WORLD PREMIERE "Tennis Australia has enjoyed a long association of more than 13 years with IER, to develop and co-ordinate a wide range of temporary facility infrastructure at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open. The presentation of the Australian Open is unique, as it is required to satisfy the full spectrum of people from the ground pass holder to the most demanding corporate guest. We expect "world class" standard in presentation, product and value and IER has played a pivotal role in achieving this requirement." GEOFF POLLARD, AM PRESIDENT TENNIS AUSTRALIA	"I wish to thank you and your project team for the successful completion of the economic benefit study of this year's Spring Racing Carnival. We are delighted with the results of the Carnival and have circulated your report widely across the racing industry, government and other key stakeholders. The results attracted significant media coverage and for the first time, have been made available to the public via the RVL website." PETA CREDLIN DIRECTOR - PUBLIC AFFAIRS, COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLISHING RACING VICTORIA LIMITED
"IER provided an invaluable study on the Victorian wine industry, on which the Victorian Wine Industry Association based its 'Vintage 2003' Five Year Industry Strategic Plan. The study was truly groundbreaking, in that no one had previously assessed the scope and potential growth of the industry in any depth. The team at IER were professional, focused, prepared to go 'outside the square to benchmark their data', and always applied rigorous cross-analysis of their draft results. In our case their research has helped provide a very successful StrategicPlan for the Victorian Wine Industry, which has been held up by the State Government as an industry benchmark." MARK MC KENZIE CHIEF EXECUTIVE VICTORIAN WINE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION INC.
Back to top

AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Tennis Australia has enjoyed a long association of more than 13 years with IER, to develop and co-ordinate a wide range of temporary facility infrastructure at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open, to ensure that our facilities are comparable with the other Grand Slams at Wimbledon, Roland Garros and Flushing Meadow.

The presentation of the Australian Open is unique, as it is required to satisfy the full spectrum of people from the ground pass holder to the most demanding corporate guest. We expect "world class" standard in presentation, product and value and IER has played a pivotal role in achieving this requirement.

To help Tennis Australia achieve this aim, IER has been involved in several roles that have included:

• Sourcing and negotiating with equipment suppliers to obtain the best available
  product for the best value price
• Design, theming and concept advice on temporary facilities for hospitality, merchandising, sponsors, commercial, corporate and public
• Co-ordination and project management services to over 30 suppliers during the event period, to ensure the services are delivered on-time, on-budget and to our quality standards
• Liaison and strategic advice to Australian Open for future developments
• Servicing the needs of the Australian Open during the event period, such as maintenance and supervision of the temporary facilities.

IER has produced innovative solutions for the Australian Open, particularly to the corporate facilities on "The Oval", that have assisted in cementing the Australian Open as a leader in event presentation in Australia.

The innovative and professional project management skills and commitment of IER to delivering results in challenging circumstances, has always been of great support to the Australian Open, and I am happy to provide this acknowledgement of their outstanding ability to contribute to the success of the event.

GEOFF POLLARD, AM
PRESIDENT
TENNIS AUSTRALIA

Back to testimonial links

SPRING RACING CARNIVAL

I wish to thank you and your project team for the successful completion of the economic benefit study of this year's Spring Racing Carnival.

We are delighted with the results of the Carnival and have circulated your report widely across the racing industry, government and other key stakeholders. The results attracted significant media coverage and for the first time, have been made available to the public via the RVL website.

As you would be aware, the enormous economic and social benefits of the Carnival continue to be a crucial factor in gaining recognition for the importance and value of the Victorian Racing Industry. The 2003 results will certainly contribute to securing this outcome.

PETA CREDLIN
DIRECTOR - PUBLIC AFFAIRS, COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLISHING
RACING VICTORIA LIMITED

Back to testimonial links

FOSTERS AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX

The 2003 Foster's Australian Grand Prix was certainly one of the most exciting Formula One races yet seen in Melbourne. With the spotlight well and truly on Melbourne with the introduction of the new Formula One rules for the first time, along with the driver changes, new drivers and new cars, the Event once again lived up to everyone's expectations. The quality and standard of the Event was again unsurpassed.

Accordingly, on behalf of everyone at the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, we would like to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to IER and Veldeman Australia for your contribution to the success of the Event.

STEVEN WRIGHT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX CORPORATION

Back to testimonial links

VICTORIAN WINE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

IER provided an invaluable study on the Victorian wine industry, on which the Victorian Wine Industry Association based its 'Vintage 2003' Five Year Industry Strategic Plan. The study was truly groundbreaking, in that no one had previously assessed the scope and potential growth of the industry in any depth. As such, the IER study filled an enormous void in the understanding of the size, structure and potential of the Victorian Wine Industry.

The study thoroughly researched the growth potential for the industry by the use of direct input and the cross referencing of trend commentary from 80 leading industry personnel from within the Victorian and national industry, but also benchmarked its analysis against international data on the trends of the world wine industry.

The result was a projection of a Victorian wine industry of $1 billion in combined sales value by the year 2003, representing 1% of the value of world wine trade - an extraordinary projection for the day.

However, I am pleased to report that the Victorian wine industry has surpassed this target, and that the measurement tools for economic growth within the industry established by IER, have proved not only remarkably accurate, but continue to be used by the VWIA in its industry trend analysis and in its advice to Government.

The team at IER were professional, focused, prepared to go 'outside the square to benchmark their data', and always applied rigorous cross-analysis of their draft results. In our case their research has helped provide a very successful Strategic Plan for the Victorian Wine Industry, which has been held up by the State Government as an industry benchmark."

MARK MC KENZIE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
VICTORIAN WINE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Back to testimonial links

SKY CHANNEL

Sky Channel selected IER based on their experience as researchers within the racing industry, to conduct extensive market research of our audience to enable us to better understand our viewers' expectations.

The research explored what our different audiences think of specific brands and programs, our presentation style, formats and techniques, our presenters, the amount of information offered and the likely sustainability over time. In addition, we conduct some quantitative research to incorporate a statistical element.

The result of the market research provided comparative, statistical, trend and diagnostic data that, after assessment, has been used to implement appropriate changes and/or introduction of new products and programming to Sky Channel.

The response to the survey showed an unequivocal approval for what we are doing at Sky Channel, which has proved beneficial in all areas of our business activities.

Market research should never be used as the sole guide to planning a large and complex operation such as Sky Channel, but we intend to use the research findings alongside our own experience and common sense as we go forward. The findings of the research will be used to strengthen our relationships with our customers and our viewers.

IER's approach to the project was professional and the delivery and reporting of the research was comprehensive.

GEOFF WANT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SKY CHANNEL

Back to testimonial links

QUEENSLAND RACING

"IER has led a number of significant projects within the Queensland thoroughbred racing industry on behalf of the Board of the governing body. These projects have included the development of a State-wide strategic marketing plan, the first time such an exercise was attempted in Queensland, and the conduct of a number of economic imp0act studies on major carnivals and events.

The professionalism and expertise provided by IER consultants was of great benefit to the industry in this State, as it faced the challenges of increasing competition for customers and sponsorship. Their knowledge of the industry, and their ability to strategically analyse and report on the factors critical to the industry's growth and success were highly valued."

JEREMY TURNER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
QUEENSLAND RACING

Back to testimonial links

OUTBACK AREA CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT

The Outback Area Consultative Committee Inc. (OACC Development) has been associated with IER over the past seven years, and in that time has retained the company's services to assist on a number of projects which involve our committee's core activity of economic development.

IER assisted this committee to develop its first Three Year Strategic Regional Plan (1998-2000) and consequently undertook vital Perception Study projects to assist the committee and regional community to understand how the rest of Australia viewed this region as a potential tourism destination, business investment opportunity and lifestyle choice for relocation.

During the conduct of all these projects we have always found IER to be both professional and committed to completing the individual projects on time and within budget. This has at times required IER to provide services and advice beyond the original brief to ensure this committee and the community received the best possible result.

The value of the work of IER is not only in having a project completed on time and within budget, but the lasting value derived from the research, analysis and recommendations delivered which are acted upon and/or used as the basis to develop projects which produce real direct economic and social outcomes for the community.

Many of the economic development strategies and projects implemented in this region over the past five years have been underpinned by the research and findings of reports produced by IER.

SCOTT HOWE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
OACC DEVELOPMENT, BROKEN HILL

Back to testimonial links

NSW COUNTRY RACING COUNCIL

It is my pleasure to provide a testimonial for the work performed by IER for the NSW Country Racing Council.

Our relationship with IER commenced in 2000 when IER was asked to prepare a strategic marketing plan for the NSW country racing sector. This complex task involved getting input and "buy in" from 103 race clubs, ranging from small volunteer run organisations to large professional operations.

The consultation undertaken by IER staff at all stages of the process was outstanding. Most importantly the final outcome addressed the needs of NSW country racing.

STAN HAYES
CHAIRMAN
NSW COUNTRY RACING COUNCIL

Back to testimonial links

THOROUGHBRED RACING SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Thank you for your assistance and guidance regarding Thoroughbred Racing SA Ltd's Five-Year Marketing Plan for the South Australian Thoroughbred Racing industry.

The process your company adopted in obtaining stakeholder involvement and enhanced communication, has been fundamental in the implementation of an extremely successful plan. The actions and priorities emanating from that plan have provided the industry with significant uplifts ensuring a clear and concise understanding of the ongoing critical issues.

The integrity of the methodology process and development of the plan has resulted in a genuine partnership between all parties and a success story we are very proud of.

We look forward to working with you in the future to achieve our strategic and marketing objectives.

JOHN CAMERON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
THOROUGHBRED RACING SOUTH AUSTRALIA LIMITED

Back to testimonial links

MELTON SHIRE COUNCIL

In December 1994 the restructuring of Local Government in Victoria was completed by the State Government and I was appointed to the position of Chairman of Commissioners at Melton Shire Council.

Given the scenario at Melton Shire, a special set of consultative arrangements were put in place to ensure Commissioners, who did not live in the municipality , maintained close contact with the wishes and aspirations of the Melton Community. This was achieved through the establishment of a range of specific community advisory committees and the widest possible community input into the annual Corporate Plan. The Corporate Plan then became the basis for the Shire's Annual Budget.
In order to achieve our objectives in the formulation of the Corporate Plan, we sought the services of an organisation with a strong track record in Strategic Planning. This process resulted in the selection and appointment of IER to perform this crucial role.

The specific task given to IER, was to consult with all stakeholders in the Melton Shire - community groups, business groups, special interest groups, sporting clubs, housing estate developers, farmers, Shire staff and Commissioners, plus 6 public meetings in designated locations. In addition to these local inputs, IER was to obtain data from a selected group of participants external to the Shire, in order to measure our performance against other municipalities in Melbourne.

At the completion of the initial information input stage, IER's next task was to formulate a Corporate Plan for submission to Commissioners. IER completed these tasks to the satisfaction of Commissioners over a period of 5 years. In this period the Corporate Plan prepared in accordance with this methodology, formed the basis for the Shire's Budget for the next 12 month period. Following completion of the first cycle of the Corporate Plan, IER had to measure the level of compliance by Council in the achievement of the items specified in the previous plan. It also had to measure the level of community confidence in its Council.

Completion of the Corporate Plan in this manner gave Commissioners a soundly based road map for the development of the Shire and proved to be an excellent management tool.

With the establishment of the IER Corporate Planning process, Council staff were aware of the methodology Commissioners would use to determine priorities in future Budget determinations and prepared submissions accordingly. Having an established methodology also gave the community and other stakeholders a formal path to have input into the Council's budget.

It is my view that the excellent IER Corporate Planning process played a significant role in assisting Council to achieve a stunning turnaround in the growth of the Melton Shire. Excellent community satisfaction figures can also be attributed to the existence of a formal Corporate Planning process that encouraged wide community input.

As a general comment on the IER Corporate Planning process, it gave the general community and community groups a clear point of entry into the formulation of the Council budget; it gave business an opportunity to contribute their ideas for the future growth and development of the Shire; it provided special interest groups and sporting clubs with direct access into the budgetary process; housing estate developers (who were very large scale and very active in the Shire) welcomed the opportunity for direct discussion in formulation of the Budget; farmers and the smaller population centres in the Shire were enthusiastic in their participation in the process.

I would strongly recommend the methodology used in the IER Corporate Planning process at Melton Shire Council. It provided my Council with an open and transparent Budget preparation process which was very important in restoring community confidence in the performance of Melton Shire Council.

In my view it was a sound cornerstone for the extraordinary growth and development that was achieved at Melton Shire over the period from 1994 to 2001.

ALISTAIR FRASER
PAST CHAIRMAN
MELTON SHIRE COUNCIL

Back to testimonial links

WIMMERA RACING

The IER Quality Standards program has assisted the club and its 130 local committee members in monitoring and improving event operations. For the smaller tracks and local committees, the IER system has initiated self assessment and pride by committees with an aim to improve.

There is no doubt that the contribution of IER over the last 3 years has assisted with the development and growth of Wimmera Racing Club as Australia's Premier Regional Racing Club.

TONY O'MARA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WIMMERA RACING

Back to testimonial links

AUSTRALIAN RACING BOARD

I am pleased to place on record the appreciation the Australian Racing Board has for the work done for it by IER in 2001, profiling the size and scope of the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry.

The first major study into the economic impact of the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry was commissioned by the State Racing Ministers in 1991. A decade later the Australian Racing Board felt that it was important that a further assessment was made of the industry's economic and social contribution to Australia.

The December 2001 report by IER - The Size and Scope of the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry has provided the industry with a contemporary and authoritative profile of its role in the wider Australian economy. It has been received with great interest by all of those many people who have occasion to inquire about the economic impact of the industry.

R L CHARLEY
CHAIRMAN
AUSTRALIAN RACING BOARD

Back to testimonial links

SANCTUARY COVE WORLD PREMIERE

Being closely associated in the running of an event can often result in a false impression of it. We see too many of the problems and too little of the actual event as the public see it.

We should all be aware that we have made and been part of an event that will be a piece of history. Most event managers would have been delighted to have staged Sinatra, or Houston, or Lendl, or Strange. We put together these and more and should reflect on what a unique achievement it was.

Please accept my personal thanks, and those of the Company for your part in making the event a success. You should be proud of the part you have played in achieving the impossible.

BOB BARNARD
PROJECT DIRECTOR
SANCTUARY COVE WORLD PREMIERE

Back to testimonial links

WARRNAMBOOL RACING CLUB

Thank you for your assessment report on the 2003 Carnival. Once again you have provided a quality report which can be acted upon. The racing industry must be conscious of the Customer First focus and I can assure you that the regular reports that you have provided enable our club to maintain its prominent status within the Australian racing industry.

I believe that the Quality Standards Program has played an integral part in fostering a culture within Victorian provincial racing that is unequalled anywhere else in Australia.

C.D. NOLAN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
WARRNAMBOOL RACING CLUB

Back to testimonial links

GIPPSLAND POWER OF RACING

I wish to place on record our appreciation for the Economic Impact Study your firm conducted for the Latrobe City Spring Racing Carnival - "The Power of Racing".

This report added substantial credence to our already held belief that this event had a significant economic impact on the Latrobe community.

The value of this report in discussions with the Latrobe Council for ongoing funding of this event cannot be underestimated. It was also an important element supporting the successful submission for Best Community Festival and Event Award at the 2003 Gippsland and Phillip Island Tourism Awards.

The study has also proved to be extremely valuable in discussions with other municipalities in Gippsland, on the benefits of becoming involved in local racing events.

The professional manner you went about your task of gathering information and producing your report was reassuring, and the standard of final presentation was very high.

MIKE ANSWERTH
SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE
GIPPSLAND RACING CENTRAL CLUSTER

Back to testimonial links

COUNTRY RACING VICTORIA

"Quality Standards has been an invaluable early-warning radar system to clubs to help them minimize their risks in an increasingly litigious world. We thank the team at IER for working side by side with the clubs and the Council to make the industry more relevant to its customers, participants, sponsors & local communities."

MARK O'SULLIVAN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
COUNTRY RACING VICTORIA

Back to testimonial links

MELBOURNE GREYHOUND RACING ASSOCIATION

"There is no doubt that we would not have a hallmark stadium today without the dedicated commitment of IER's team who managed to not only capture our vision for the future, but also then execute the difficult funding negotiations required to find the money. For example the final package settlement from VicRoads was 5.5 million, yet when we started our first negotiations we were told that because we were on Crown land, we had no financial rights at all.

IER's continuous fight over three years for what we both believed in was inspiring. They led the legal battle, they negotiated strongly with Government, and were not put off when various attempts were made to make us become tenants at various football grounds. They deserve the highest accolade for securing the future of greyhound racing for generations to come. IER's consultancy services and associated legal costs were eventually settled by VicRoads - a substantive win."

MARGARET LONG
GENERAL MANAGER
MELBOURNE GREYHOUND RACING ASSOCIATION

Back to testimonial links