QME roaring success as resources industry recovers

EXHIBITION'S success story heralds a bright future.

TOP TURNOUT: Brandon Ward, director of Reed Exhibitions, couldn't be more thrilled with the showing at QME. Picture: Luke Mortimer

NO VACANCY signs lined Nebo Road this week, hotels and motels packed to the brim.

Cars squeezed into the residential streets around Mackay showgrounds and a palpable buzz filled the CBD.

The massive Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) sure drew a crowd - in fact, exhibitors were 40 per cent up on the 2016 showing of the biennial event.

While there was strong attendance from companies in Mackay and across Queensland, exhibitors also jetted in from across the country and the world.

International exhibitors touched down from far-flung locales including Canada, China and Chile, and nationally from Perth, Melbourne and more.

Best of all though, for the director of Reed Mining Events and Reed Exhibitions Brandon Ward, was this year hosting heavyweights such as Adani, BHP, Glencore and Anglo American.

He said it has been a big turnaround for QME from the somewhat lacklustre interest in the exhibition back in 2016, and a return to previous form.

"Two years ago, was probably the low point in the industry and that had a real impact on QME 2016,” Mr Ward said yesterday.

"But there's renewed confidence in the sector and we ride that wave. In terms of visitation, we've had a double digit percentage increase since 2016.

"Just the mood has been so positive. Big deals being done. All the mining companies are represented for the first time in, well, ever.”

"Having them give their support to us gives the expo more credibility. We set our expectations high coming in. We knew the market was positive. But this has really blown us away, to be honest.”

Representatives at a range of QME exhibits, including Melbourne environmental technology company Mideco and Perth mining classifieds company Worthy Parts, gave a big thumbs up.

They said they had been warmly welcomed to Mackay by fellow businessmen and women, and were hopeful they would rack up some extra business in the exhibition's wake.

Mr Ward confirmed Reed Exhibitions will hold QME in Mackay again in 2020, and said there was little chance of an annual showing, despite the exhibition's success.

That was due to individual technical advancements in the industry generally taking a few years to fully form, he said.

Originally published as QME roaring success as resources industry recovers