I Choose SA turns 4, as Showcase SA and Food South Australia continue championing the brand
As I Choose SA marks its 4th anniversary, after being launched in 2016 by Brand South Australia, its evolution and support of South Australian businesses continues thanks to Showcase South Australia and Food South Australia.
When Brand South Australia was wound-up at the end of the 2019/2020 financial year, Showcase SA joined Food SA, to carry on the campaign which has become synonymous with supporting local.
Showcase SA was established in July 2019 to broadly continue Brand SA’s former work – including I Choose SA – for the majority of businesses and industries in South Australia. The business networking organisation now manages the I Choose SA directory (www.ichoosesa.com.au) and social media channels, while incorporating the ethos behind the campaign into its regular business events and training.
Food South Australia, the industry’s peak body, continues their exceptional work, driving I Choose SA for the state’s food and beverage production sector, delivering a prominent face of the campaign in the retail sector.
Together, both Showcase SA and Food SA have recognised the increased importance of I Choose SA during COVID-19, encouraging the use of the branding and directory to drive sales, while also championing their members throughout the pandemic.
Showcase SA moved its member events online during the initial lockdown and restarted in-person events and masterclasses in line with COVID-safe requirements in June.
“Showcase SA exists to connect South Australia’s business community after Brand South Australia was discontinued, and we’ve kept finding ways to support business through this strange and challenging year,” explains Steve Testar, Showcase SA co-founder and CEO.
“We helped support bushfire-affected businesses and by raising over $400,000 thanks to the SA4SA Bushfire Gala, jointly-organised with our sister organisation Glam Adelaide, and through COVID-19 we’ve provided our member events, networking and training opportunities online.
“We’ve now recommenced physical events in line with our COVID-safe plan to ensure we deliver our membership program in a safe way.”
Among Food South Australia’s support of the food and beverage sector throughout COVID-19 was the launch of its new Made in SA database, which contains thousands of locally produced products available in retail stores.
“While many retailers recognise the value of identifying local products in-store to help consumers find them on the shelves, there was a gap in the information available to retailers themselves in finding those South Australian products,” says Food South Australia chief executive Catherine Sayer.
“We found there was no central body of data to help easily identify products that are both South Australian made and owned, and we discovered this was a key challenge for retailers.
“As the peak body for the (food and beverage) industry in South Australia, we realised we are ideally positioned to gather that data to benefit both retailers and our industry.
“Our aim has been to facilitate growth for our members by enabling retailers to easily identify which products fit this criteria, which in turn means they can introduce point of sale identification on those products.”
Applying to use the I Choose SA brand
South Australian owned and operated businesses can take advantage of the I Choose SA brand to distinguish itself from non-SA competitors, while also featuring in the I Choose SA business directory for free.
However, while Showcase SA and Food South Australia are now the custodians of the campaign, use of the brand itself is still administered by the Department of Trade and Investment.
Registration to use the State Brand or I Choose SA brand can be undertaken here.
