The TMC Trailers Trucking Industry Show has received record exhibitor entries and registrations for its Truck show & Shine event. Visitors are expected to exceed the last show held in 2018, and more space has been made available as record bookings have been received. It has now evolved to be much more than a truck and trade show, developing into a true festival celebrating the trucking industry. The NZ Trucking Association’s small team organises and runs the show on the day.

The secret to the show’s success is that the costs are affordable for exhibitors and visitors. Entrance for children is free, as are all the activities, making it an affordable day out for the whole family.

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 runs over 25 and 26 November during the show. A regional heat was held in Auckland on 15 October with the class winners getting direct entry into the final. Truck drivers from all over New Zealand will travel to Christchurch to compete in the Hydraulink Class 5 Truck and Trailer, Spartan Finance Class 5 Tractor Semi or 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 can 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 see demonstrations that will hopefully inspire them to enquire about career opportunities.

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. The second-place winner will receive $500 cash. Regional heats were held around New Zealand on 15 October with regional winners getting direct entry to the final.

All kids’ events are free, including some amazing activities such as the MEGA bouncy truck obstacle course, the mini- golf transport village, the giant sandpit filled with treasure, remote-control toy trucks and the Valvoline road-safety track, where you can ride a scooter or a cool pedal car.

The event 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. Upwards of 400 trucks are expected to travel from around New Zealand, as a record number have already registered. Extensive registrations for the BP Classic Trucks Showcase 2022 means 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.

Careers Transport 2022 is a huge focus on Friday, 25 November. We have invited secondary schools from throughout the South Island to attend. This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the abundance of career opportunities within trucking. Students will have the chance to engage face-to-face with people doing the job. We have encouraged companies participating to send along some young people as they will relate better to the young people attending.

The trucking industry is crucial 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 is an important day for the industry, 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 your own cost. This dinner will sell out, so it is advisable to order your tickets now.

There is something for everyone. It is a show not to miss – plan to be there for the day. Entry is $10, with children under 18 free. Parking is free. The event is being held at the Canterbury A&P Showgrounds in Christchurch. Public entry is via the Wigram Road entry. It will be an amazing weekend for Christchurch.

For more information, visit truckingindustryshow.co.nz

The show organiser is Rebecca Dinmore, rebecca.dinmore@trucking.nz