As May gets closer the transport and heavy vehicle industry is readying itself for a very busy month of events, starting with Heavy vehicle Industry Week.
Whether it’s the latest trucks, new machinery evolutions, heritage vehicles or transport technology the Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week 2023 promises to have something to suit your needs.
Officially launched at South Bank in Brisbane on April 18, this year’s event is being hailed by its organisers, the Heavy Vehicle Industry Association (HVIA) as being the “biggest and most innovative heavy vehicle events program to be delivered in Australia to date”.
HVIA Chief Executive Todd Hacking says the week will bring together businesses from all sides of the industry to showcase their talents to attendees.
“We are incredibly excited to announce the launch of this year’s program,” Hacking says.
“It is a tremendous honour and thrill to host Queensland’s biggest business to business event, which is expected to contribute $40 million to Queensland’s economy.
“In particular, I would like to acknowledge the tremendous assistance and support we receive from the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council who work with us to deliver this world leading industry event.
“With an extraordinary program of informative, interactive and educational activities we expect 40,000 attendees to the Brisbane Truck Show over four days, helping to book out over 70,000 hotel room nights across the city.
“Capital equipment purchases at the event and flow on business transactions are expected to reach the hundreds of millions of dollars. The strength of our country’s vital heavy manufacturing sector will proudly be on show for all the world to see.
“One of our local original equipment manufacturers, Volvo Group Australia, has this year celebrated 50 years of Australian manufacturing in Wacol, Brisbane. They are using the Brisbane Truck Show to expand customer knowledge about their new Volvo EV trucks which will be made in Brisbane from 2025.
“A key focus for this year’s program is sustainability and environmentally friendly transport. We will feature the future of heavy vehicle technology including the largest display of zero emission vehicles in the southern hemisphere including hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicles, hybrids, renewable diesel and much more.”
Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week 2023, from May 15 to 21, incorporates:
- Brisbane Truck Show (at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre)
- South Bank Truck Festival (South Bank Parklands)
- Mack Anthem Truck built by LEGO bricks as a Guinness World Record attempt
- Rock on Riverside Live @ South Bank concerts
- Electric Avenue – zero emission trucks display on Little Stanley Street
- Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show (Brisbane RNA Showgrounds, Bowen Hills)
- Heritage Truck Show (Rocklea Showgrounds)
- National Apprentice Challenge at the South Bank Piazza
“The heavy vehicle industry has shown incredible resilience and tenacity over the last few years, helping to keep the country moving through drought, bushfires and the pandemic,” Hacking says.
“Our ability to support the largest accelerated increase in online shopping in the world’s history is testament to the sector’s character, agility and capacity to scale and deliver in the face of extraordinary challenges.
“This year we celebrate our achievements as an industry and also demonstrate our commitment to, and embrace of, innovative, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport technology.
“We have also partnered with industry and mental and wellbeing charity, Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds, to support the mental health of our greatest asset, our people.”
Brisbane deputy mayor Krista Adams says the Brisbane Truck Show is always well received.
“Brisbane City Council is a proud supporter of this event, which has grown to become a highlight on the city’s jam-packed events calendar,” Cr Adams said.
“The Brisbane Truck Show will also be a massive boost for the events industry, attracting 40,000 people to the city thanks to an exciting line-up, including free and affordable events for the whole family.”
For those looking to go to the Brisbane Truck Show and the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show, shuttle buses will run between the venues and Truck Show tickets will provide access to both events.
For more information see brisbanetruckshow.com.au