NOW in its fourth decade, the XXXX Gold Roma Cup has been invited to enter the Queensland Tourist Industry Council Awards for 2013.

Western Queensland’s premier sporting event will be one of dozens of tourism businesses around the state competing across 32 categories for a chance to be recognised and go on to compete in the Australian awards later in the year.

Judging for the event begins today with the Awards judges visiting Roma to assess the event. The extraordinary growth in the Roma Cup over the last five years, attracting up to 10,000 people through the Bassett Park gates, means the event is now well recognised across the region and around the state as an exciting end of year event, falling on the final weekend of university exams.

Many local businesses support the event with sponsorship and hospitality bookings on the day, with some of the larger companies using it as an end of year celebration for employees.

The race meeting is now a TAB listed event, with races being televised internationally.

The influx of visitors to the town creates an extraordinary economic boost to local business over the weekend and many local community groups receive substantial donations for assistance at the event. This year, the Roma Cup carnival will spread into downtown Roma as the club organises its Calcutta and cocktail party in the middle of a street party scheduled to run into the early evening in McDowall St.

The community event, designed to showcase the racing over the weekend and take the colour and movement to the streets, will be free and open to everyone.