The HVIA has launched its upcoming Brisbane Truck Show and the accompanying Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week which it claims will have Australia’s “biggest ever program of heavy vehicle events and activities and the largest display of zero emissions vehicles in the southern hemisphere”.
The association launched Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week officially at Brisbane’s South Bank yesterday unveiling the program of events surrounding the biennial Brisbane show set to play out in mid May.
The HVIA facilitates the Brisbane Truck Show, as well as the Heavy Vehicle Industry Week and its CEO, Todd Hacking said this year’s event will be the biggest and the most innovative heavy vehicle events program to be delivered in Australia.
“We are incredibly excited to announce the launch of this year’s program. 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,”Hacking said.
“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,” he added.
“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,” he said.
“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,” Hacking said.
According to the HVIA, one of the local original equipment manufacturers, Volvo Group Australia, this year celebrates 50 years of Australian manufacturing at Wacol in Brisbane and it is using the Brisbane Truck Show to expand customer knowledge about their new Volvo EV trucks which will be made in Brisbane from 2025.
“We invite every Queenslander and visitor to the state to come and see it for themselves along with a huge program of free entertainment, in South Bank,” Hacking added.
Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week 2023 will run from Monday 15 to Sunday 21 May 2023 in Brisbane and will incorporate a range of events including the headlining Brisbane Truck Show at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from 18 to 21 May , the South Bank Truck Festival in the South Bank Parklands which will include the Mack Anthem Truck built by LEGO bricks as a Guinness World Record attempt, Rock on Riverside Live @ South Bank concerts and the Electric Avenue zero emission trucks display on Little Stanley Street.
There will also be the Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show at the Brisbane RNA Showgrounds in Bowen Hills and the Heritage Truck Show at the Rocklea Showgrounds, while the National Apprentice Challenge will take place 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. 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,” Hacking added.
“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.”
Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said the Brisbane Truck Show was a major business and tourism drawcard for the city.
“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.
“Brisbane is a vital hub for road transport and the logistics industry, which supports thousands of jobs for locals.
“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.”c
