ABC #399

SPECIAL EVENTS
IT’S NOT JUST A TRUCK
SHOW – IT’S A FESTIVAL
The latest announcement
about the 2021 Brisbane
Truck Show was not
about the truck show
at all. Yet it was greeted
with overwhelming
enthusiasm by stalwarts
from across the industry.
The last show to feature
heavy equipment and
machinery was also the
last show at the RNA –
Brisbane Showgrounds
– in 2009. The show’s hand was
forced by the redevelopment of the
Showgrounds; however, the move to
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition
Centre has been well rewarded.
Exhibitors have been able to really
step it up with the quality of their
displays in one of the world’s great
venues. The Brisbane Truck Show is the
only event that takes over the whole
centre, with fantastic displays filling all
three floors.
The proximity to South Bank and the
CBD has opened up new opportunities
for truck displays, networking, dining
and entertainment.
If there were one, the only downside
was that there was nowhere for the big
yellow construction gear.
Well, in Australia we never say
never. The exciting news that the
2021 Civil Construction Field Days will
be hosted by the Civil Construction
Federation of Queensland in tandem
with the Brisbane Truck Show was
confirmed last month. They have
delivered the concept on a smaller
scale before, but the 2021 event is
not short of ambition.
The new venue is downriver from the
Story Bridge alongside the fabulous
Northshore Hamilton development at
Portside Wharf.
It is large enough for a huge array of
heavy equipment and machinery and
plenty of parking, too. Not that you’ll
need it if you take the free shuttle from
the truck show, or jump on a Rivercat
from South Bank.
The reciprocal ticket means that your
entry into one show will also get you
into the other. That’s a lot of bang for
your buck.
HEAVY VEHICLE WEEK
Last year’s Brisbane Truck Show
brought with it a new umbrella event
that takes in all the displays, product
launches, dinners, conferences,
meetings and other activations
alongside the show.
The Australia Heavy Vehicle Industry
Week gave a name to an extraordinary
collection of activities that make
Brisbane an irresistible destination for
the industry every two years.
Next year will see major anniversaries
celebrated by a couple of the industry’s
biggest names. Plans are well
underway for how that will look on the
ground but enough to say that you, the
visitor, will be the beneficiary.
There will be more trucks and trailers
on display at South Bank parklands
and more again in the CBD.
Virtually every bar and restaurant in
the precinct will be offering deals for
truck show attendees; the National
Apprentice Challenge will be staged
Above: Todd Hacking (HVIA), Simon Turnbull
(Hastings Deering) and Damian Long (CCFQ)
launch the Civil Construction Field Days.
in the South Bank Piazza and live
entertainment every day – and every
night – will bring the festival to life.
Meanwhile the Brisbane Truck
Show will benefit from new features
including a dedicated Future Fuels
hub and an expanded Technology and
Innovation hub.
The Queensland Heritage Truck
Show over at Rocklea has been taking
place on the weekend of the show for
years. If you haven’t made your way
over there before, 2021 is definitely
the year.
Speaking of heritage trucks, the 1928
Thornycroft A2 that was the stage for
the very first Brisbane truck show in
1968 is currently being restored. That
project is no small challenge; however,
everything is on track to unveil her on
opening day of the show.
It sounds like everything that’s old
is new again, doesn’t it? All that and a
whole lot more.
With the borders opening up, hotel
rooms are booking fast. Make sure
you’ve locked in yours!
www.brisbanetruckshow.com.au
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ABC November 2020 busnews.com.au