The 2025 Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show – which will run alongside the Brisbane Truck Show as part of Truck Week 25 – will feature a record 101 exhibitor sites, with a range of displays and experiences for operators, families and, of course, the little ones.
The 2023 show drew record crowds and Damian Long, CEO of organiser Civil Contractors Federation Queensland (CCF QLD), expects the 2025 event will be bigger than ever before!
The show has become one of the nation’s largest displays of all-things earthmoving, held in conjunction with the Truck Show from May 15-17 at the nearby Brisbane Showgrounds, offering something for everyone – from diggers to dozers, and of course plenty of giveaways.
“We have been holding this event, originally called the Civil Construction Field Days, since 2019 and we are thrilled with the growth of this event in such a short time,” Damian says.
“The 2023 event really cemented the show’s popularity with a massive 5,500 people coming from all across Australia to check out the latest and greatest from the heavy equipment and machinery world.
“It’s phenomenal to see how far it has come, considering that we had just 900 people join us for the first show in 2019! This year we anticipate we will get more than 7,000 people based on past growth.”
Damian says the show has benefitted from its close association with the Brisbane Truck Show, including reciprocal ticking and free bus shuttles between the two venues.
The Truck Show – known as the Queensland Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show until 2011 – has always been closely intertwined with the earthmoving and construction sectors, featuring a popular machinery component that ran from the early ‘80s until 2009.
When HEMS was born in 2019, it marked a return for the popular machinery show, and it has grown in popularity ever since with no signs of slowing down.
“It is fantastic to be able to provide the heavy equipment element of the show in conjunction with Brisbane Truck Show, allowing attendees to see the latest and greatest machinery across the week!” Damian says.
“The show is tailored to the business-to-business market, with many of the latest innovations on display, but we know how much families love visiting so there will be plenty for everyone to see and experience.
“Last year the technology and simulators from exhibitors like Hastings Deering and SITECH Construction Systems were a huge hit, as was the live on-site Pickles Industrial auction. We are excited to build on that in 2025!”
This year’s show will kick-off with a live on-site broadcast by SENQ Radio’s hosts Corey Parker and Ian Healy from 6:00am-9:00am on Thursday, May 15.
“Come on down to meet the boys, get a selfie and an autograph, throw the footy to go into the draw to win prizes from Pickles Auctions, and of course get a free barista coffee on us!” Damian says.
The official ribbon cutting will take place at 8:30am at the Hastings Deering stand with Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie.
Alongside the many exhibitor attractions, CCF QLD will host its annual State Conference on Thursday, May 15, and there will also be the new CCF QLD Marquee thanks to sponsor SITECH Construction Systems with happy-hours from 2:00pm-4:00pm daily.
Members can gather and enjoy drinks, nibbles and networking to see out the day – with live entertainment from the Steph Long Duo on Friday and Saturday.
“Members can come and enjoy happy hour at the marquee, but we also encourage non-members to come and find out more about what we do at CCF QLD and how vital the civil construction sector is,” Damian says.
What’s more, 2025 will also see the introduction of the ‘Hard Hat Hunt’ which will allow attendees to enter the draw to win their share of an exciting daily prize pool, including AFL and NRL footy tickets, cricket bats signed by the legendary Lord Ian Botham, a special getaway thanks to Mitsubishi Motors Australia, and much more to be announced!
Damian’s advice is to dedicate a few hours to come and check out HEMS, urging Truck Show attendees to capitalise on the reciprocal ticketing and free shuttles between the showgrounds and BCEC.
“Make sure you allow a good amount of time to come and check out the incredible array of exhibitors because there is just so much to see and do,” he says.
“Of course, there will also be delicious food, drinks and entertainment across the day, including chances to enter the draw for a range of giveaways.”
Damian urges students and those wanting to join the industry to also come along to the show to find out about the various employment pathways for the Queensland civil construction industry.
If you work in the civil construction industry, or simply like big machinery and want to see what the future of construction looks like, come on down to HEMS in 2025.
“Ultimately, the show offers industry an opportunity to come together and see the latest equipment and technologies to help make the construction of Australia’s infrastructure more productive, affordable and effective,” Damian says.
“Catching up with industry colleagues is a major perk, too! Many truck operators also own machinery, so it’s an incredible opportunity to host HEMS alongside the BTS – the two shows go hand in hand.”
To find out more about the 2025 Heavy Equipment and Machinery Show, visit the official website at heavyequipmentshow.com.au.