LambEx attracts more than 900 delegates and 70 exhibitors to its biennial conference, which is due to be held in August next year.

Accommodation, the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre and the airport are among many strengths the city put forward to secure the hosting rights over rival cities.

Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair was yesterday “delighted” to announce a regional area as the next location.

“The regional hub of Albury is a perfect choice to host the expo, with the location, facilities and community support to ensure the event is a great success,” Mr Blair said.

“This is a great opportunity to promote the state’s world-class lamb industry.”

Albury Council’s submission to LambEx proposed a week-long celebration of lamb as part of a campaign to boost lamb brand exposure.

Member for Albury Greg Aplin congratulated Albury Council and the community on the submission, which he said will celebrate the product as a major part of the NSW economy.

“This will include creating a local ‘Celebrate Lamb’ week, with all partner restaurants and hotels featuring a lamb special on their menu, as well as cooking demonstrations, local produce tasting tours and sheep farm tours,” Mr Aplin said.

The event was last held in Adelaide in 2014 where it contributed more than $3 million to the state’s economy and created 23 jobs.

Next year will mark the first time for it to be held in NSW.

Albury mayor Kevin Mack welcomed the announcement and said the economic return from the three-day event would be “enormous”.

“I can’t wait to see us transform into Lamb city and celebrate the importance of the industry not only to our local economy, but Australia wide,” Cr Mack said.

“What a wonderful opportunity to showcase our city to a national audience with influence.”