Held every two years at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) since 2011, the Brisbane Truck Show, which has been running for over half a century, is the largest automotive exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest exhibition to be held at BCEC.
In 2023, Thursday’s crowd broke the opening day attendance record by 37 per cent.
“This is the first time we have had over 40,000 people through the doors over the four days of the event,” said Todd Hacking, chief executive of Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia, the industry association which owns and manages the show.
“The show is about the industry connecting, and this week has seen that happening at its very best.
“Our members make up the vast majority of exhibitors, and while the original intent was simply to connect them with their customers, it has become much more than that.
“There are so many events that run alongside the truck show now, that make it a compelling opportunity for everyone to get together in Brisbane.
“The South Bank Truck Festival, the Heritage Truck Show, the Heavy Equipment & Machinery Show, and numerous other conferences, meetings and events have taken place alongside the show this year,” said Hacking.
The show occupied 35,000m2 of space over three floors of the convention centre and is expected to generate $40 million for the Queensland economy, including 70,000 hotel room nights.
This year, the show included the largest display of zero-emissions vehicles ever assembled in Australia, including electric vehicles powered by batteries and hydrogen fuel cells, trucks which run on hydrated vegetable oils and hybrid diesel-electric trucks.
“The sheer size and scale and the calibre of the event demonstrate the diversity and capability of the centre and has enormous benefit for Brisbane in attracting large numbers of interstate and overseas visitors to the city,” said BCEC general manager Kym Guesdon.
“The atmosphere and excitement surrounding the event is electrifying, with wide appeal and interest across the community.”
