G'Day USA special edition

Three of Australia’s most talented tourism businesses will be going to LA for the G’Day USA Gala on 28 January as part of a competition by Tourism Australia and Qantas to select the best social content shared by the industry in 2016. The competition will choose winners across three categories - best video, best photo, and most viral content – whose content will be shown at the LA Gala. Submissions should be sent to gdayusacompetition@tourism.australia.com with a link to the featured content, a short explanation of the content and an outline of results achieved. The competition is open to Australian tourism operators and only one piece of content per operator can be submitted. The prize includes two Qantas flights to LA, accommodation and two tickets to the Gala.

The 2017 G’Day USA Gala will honour three Australians from the entertainment and creative industries. David Hill will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Australia's entertainment industry and global success as a pioneer of live television production. Catherine Martin will also be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Australia creative arts sector as our most highly awarded costume, production and set designer. Ben Mendelsohn will be honoured with an Excellence in Film and Television Award in recognition of his success as an actor, including his recent Emmy award-winning role in in Bloodline. (Photo left to right)

As part of G'Day USA, Tourism Australia will use events to showcase Australia to Americans, with a particular focus on premium Australian experiences. One of the key events in the 2017 G'Day US program is the Gala being held in Los Angeles on 28 January presented by Qantas which will highlight Australia's highly talented creative industries across film, entertainment, the arts, music, fashion, food, wine and tourism. In addition Tourism Australia will host an event in New York for leading premium trade partners which will use immersive experiences to demonstrate why ‘There’s nothing like Australia. Find out more in the G'Day USA 2017 calendar.

Since its establishment in 2004, G'Day USA has grown to become an important platform for bilateral dialogue with the United States. Over thirteen years, G’Day USA has brought together industry leaders and key influencers in government, business, tourism, academia and the arts to successfully cultivate and enhance the Australia –United States relationship. Find out more about G'Day USA and watch highlights from the 2015-2016 G’Day USA.

The official G’Day USA website, www.gdayusa.org, is the one-stop-shop for the lasts information on all events and activities. You can also follow the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram and contribute using the tag #GDayUSA2017.

US travellers choose a destination first and foremost based on safety and security. They then look for good food and wine, value for money, history and heritage, friendly citizens and aquatic and coastal experiences. Find out more about their planning and inspiration habits, perceptions of Australia and more in Tourism Australia's free US traveller snapshot.