Media are invited to the Cooperative Research Centres' Association conference on May 21-23 in Sydney at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Media representatives are invited to attend the conference free of any registration charges (including all social and meal activities), and this represents an excellent opportunity to meet with top scientists from around Australia representing just about every research organisation and university there is.

A media room will be operating during the conference, and we are there to help put you in touch with the researchers you'd like to interview. Please contact Jenni Metcalfe if you'd like to receive a media pass. Journalists also have access to conference rates on airfares and accommodation.

Key media opportunities at the conference include:

10am Tuesday 21 May

Media conference on the "Benefits of biotech"
At the Novotel Century Hotel, 17 Little Pier St Darling Harbour (hear from 5 CEOs of medical, agriculture and environment CRCs about important biotechnological advances)

Wednesday 22 May (at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre)

9am: opening of conference by NSW Premier, Hon RJ Carr

9.30-10.30am: showcasing student research at the CRC

10.30am: media conference with students (topics range from better medical implants and hearing aids to improved pastures, cotton, bananas and tomatoes)

11-12am: showcasing the CRC Programme - 4 CEOs talk about their world-leading research into plant breeding, cleaner coal, greener cotton growing and better communications

12-2pm: lunchtime technology transfer awards given to 4 CRCs by the Minister for Science, Hon. Peter McGauran (embargoed)

Thursday 23 May (at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre)

10am: Media conference on the "Benefits to developing countries from CRC research" (hear from 4 CEOs about environmental and medical research delivering benefits overseas)

Full details of the above opportunities will be available via media release/alert prior to and during the conference. Contact Jenni Metcalfe, phone 0408 551 866