Comment: 2022 TMC Trailers Trucking Industry Show update

By: David Boyce, NTA chief executive

Date: 18.11.2022

The show is a celebration of professional truck drivers and a showcase of the industry

With the TMC Trailers Trucking Industry Show receiving record entries from exhibitors and Truck Show and Shine registrations, more space has been made available. Visitors are expected to well exceed the last show held in 2018. It has now evolved to be much more than a truck and trade show; it has developed into a true festival celebrating the trucking industry. The NZ Trucking Association’s small team organise and run the show on the day.
The secret to the show’s success is that the costs are affordable for exhibitors and the public to attend, including free entry for kids. All the activities are also free, so it makes it an affordable day out for the whole family.

The show is a celebration of professional truck drivers and a showcase of the industry

The 2022 show sees the introduction of the National Industry Competitions, which is attracting a lot of interest. The 2022 TR Group NZ Truck Driving Championships is running on 25 and 26 November during the show. A regional heat was held in Auckland on 15 October for more than 30 competitors, with the class winners receiving direct entry into the final.

Truck drivers from all over New Zealand are travelling to Christchurch to compete in the Hydraulink Class 5 Truck and Trailer, Spartan Finance Class 5 Tractor Semi, and the EROAD Class 2 Categories with an overall winner being selected to be the NZ Truck Driver of the Year 2022. Each class winner will receive a trophy, $2500 cash, and a return trip for two to the 2023 Brisbane Truck Show. Each class runner-up will receive $1000 cash. Special recognition awards will be given to the winners of the TR Group Young Driver of the Year and the EROAD Women Driver of the Year.

The first-ever big crane competition sponsored by Liebherr is taking place with Titan, Smiths, and Calder Stewart facing off to find New Zealand’s best operator. The competition will be based on a Health and Safety Training course.

Palfinger is sponsoring New Zealand’s first truck-mounted crane competition. Competitors will each have a chance to take out the NZ Palfinger Truck-Mounted Crane Champion 2022 Shield. The course will be set up with grandstands so the public and supporters will be able to follow the day’s activities. The awards presentation will take place later that evening on the Teletrac Navman lawn during the Industry Awards Ceremony. On the Friday, during the Careers Trucking Showcase, students will be able to see demonstrations that will hopefully inspire them to enquire about career opportunities.

The show will take place on 25 and 26 November this year

The 2022 New Zealand Forklift Industry Association Forklift Championships is going to be exciting, based on overseas competitions that are interesting to watch and compete in. The winner will receive the 2022 Trophy, $1000 cash, and a prize pack and the second-place winner will receive $500 cash. Seven regional heats were held around New Zealand on 15 October, with regional winners getting direct entry to the final.

As previously mentioned, all kids’ activities are free; these include the MEGA Bouncy Truck obstacle course, Mini Golf Transport Village, the Giant Sandpit filled with treasure, Remote Control Toy Trucks, and Valvoline Road Safety Track where you can ride a scooter or a cool peddle car.

The show is a celebration of professional truck drivers and a showcase of the industry. Companies have taken huge spaces to display their trucks and equipment.

The stars of the show are the 2022 UDC Show & Shine entries. More than 400 trucks are expected to travel from all around New Zealand, as a record number have already registered. Large registrations for the BP Classic Trucks Showcase 2022 have meant that more of the showgrounds has been allocated to accommodate the numbers. A winner’s trophy will be awarded at the Teletrac Navman Show Lawn and Awards ceremony.

Visitors are expected to well exceed the last show held in 2018

Careers Transport 2022 is a huge focus on 25 November. We’ve invited secondary schools from around the South Island to attend. This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the abundance of career opportunities within the industry. Students will have the chance to engage face-to-face with people actually doing the job. We’ve encouraged companies who are taking part to send along some young people as they will relate better to the younger crowd attending.

The trucking industry plays a crucial role in keeping New Zealand’s economy going, moving more than 93% of all freight annually. Without the trucking industry, the country would come to a complete stop. With a growing truck driver shortage and an ageing workforce, attracting the next generation has never been more important.

It’s an important day and everyone in the industry needs to get behind it and support it in some way.

The show will round off at the Teletrac Navman Show Lawn and Awards Function. Live bands will be playing. Tickets are $30 per person; drinks and food truck meals are available at own cost. This dinner will sell out, so it’s advisable to order your tickets now.

There’s something for everyone; it’s a show not to miss. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and are free for children under 18. Parking is also free. The event is being held at the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds in Christchurch. Public entry is via the Wigram Road entry.

The show promises an amazing couple of days in Christchurch; it will be the ultimate trucking weekend.

For more information, contact show organiser Rebcca Dinmore at rebecca.dinmore@trucking.nz or visit truckingindustryshow.co.nz.

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