Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA) has announced that the Brisbane Truck Show will proceed as normal from May 13-16, 2021.
While stressing that the decision was not made lightly due to Covid-19 concerns, HVIA Chairman John Drake was excited to confirm the show will go ahead as planned, confident it will be bigger and better than ever.
“The board has heard the ructions and anxiety being expressed by some exhibitors, mainly caused by the various states’ snap lockdowns, and border closures,” Drake said
“We felt it was appropriate to issue this advice, to provide certainty to exhibitors, HVIA members and the tens of thousands of our customers who are looking forward to come to the show.”
Drake said serious consideration was given to postponing the show but ultimately decided that the industry’s showpiece biennial gathering must go on.
“We know how important the Brisbane Truck Show is for the industry, we will use the show to reconnect and celebrate the achievements of our essential industry.”
Drake said that most HVIA Board members are exhibitors, so fully understand the risks and financial implications.
“None of us would ever put anyone at risk, but we have listened to all of the evidence, consulted broadly, discussed the pro’s and con’s calmly and have arrived at a decision to proceed,” he added.
HVIA Director and Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific CEO and President, Daniel Whitehead, says his company remains firmly committed to the ever-popular show.
“The Brisbane Truck Show remains a great way for manufacturers to demonstrate their support of the local road transport industry and the Daimler Truck and Bus team is beyond excited to be part of it,” he said.
“Covid-19 turbulence has not stopped those who work hard to put the food on our shelves, the clothes on our backs or the fuel in our cars, so we should do everything we can to make sure an event that celebrates this critical industry goes ahead.”
Whitehead is confident the Brisbane Truck Show can be held safely.
“A vast amount of detailed planning by HVIA, the venue team, the Queensland Government and the City of Brisbane, has been carried out to ensure it is a safe experience for every exhibitor and every attendee,” he said.
Drake said the HVIA Board has placed great emphasis in the vaccine rollout and how this is likely to put an end to border closures and snap lockdowns.
“We know many exhibitors are expressing confidence, the vaccine is being rolled out, and we know there is currently no Queensland community transmission” Drake said.
“We also know that the weekend of the Brisbane Truck Show is also NRL Magic Round – with every game at Suncorp Stadium – and the Doomben 10,000 Group 1 horse race; two leading, national sporting events, so it is going to be an amazing atmosphere, especially at the South Bank Truck Festival,” he said.
HVIA CEO Todd Hacking said Brisbane Truck Show exhibitors who do not wish to proceed are advised to quickly inform themselves of the terms and conditions and contact HVIA, so the necessary arrangements can be put in place.
“HVIA will honour all agreements with our contracted parties,” Hacking said.
“At the same time, now that this decision has been, we will be cracking on full steam ahead.”