Queensland show to return in 2007

Visitor attendance and exhibitor results have pronounced the first Queensland Safety Show and Forum a resounding success, although some exhibitors have yet to decide whether to sign on for 2007.

The three-day event attracted 4451 visitors to Brisbane's Convention & Exhibition Centre from 21-23 June. More than 150 suppliers showcased products in asbestos management, construction, electrical, environmental, fire, materials handling and machine safety, as well as services for auditing, first aid, rehabilitation and health screening.

Organiser of the show, AEC's Marie Kinsella, said attendance figures at the inaugural event confirmed that Brisbane was ready for a dedicated workplace event.

This sentiment was echoed in visitors' comments at the Capital Safety stand throughout the exhibition. Quality manager at Capital Safety, Wayne Lofts told Safety Solutions that visitors said "it was about time we had something up in our part of the world" and that "there should be something up here more often".

The height safety exhibitor was pleased with the results of the new event. And while there were quiet times, the stand was often "bombarded" with visitors.

When asked if the company would exhibit at the 2007 event, Lofts said yes, although the number of shows currently on the circuit was putting a strain on marketing budgets.

"Initially when the event was put forward, it was said that it would happen every two years in Queensland. But we have responded with a yes, and we would like a larger stand in 2007. At this stage we will be there, and will re-evaluate at the end of 2007 as to whether or not we go regularly," Lofts said.

Kinsella said AEC has decided to run another show in 2007 "because the research suggests there's still a lot of pent-up demand from Queenslanders to find out more about their safety options".

General Manager at Fabri-Cell International, Ron Williams said his company was also very pleased with the level of interest from visitors.

"We ended up with lots of enquiries to follow up, and the quality of the enquiries seems very good overall. We were uncertain what to expect, as it was the first safety show in Queensland, but it was well worthwhile from our point of view."

Williams was unsure whether or not the company would be participating again in 2007 as he said budgets would not stretch to attending all three safety shows every year.

"We did the three shows this year, because we were doing a national release of the Microguard range. At this stage, we don't know which of the three shows we will do in 2007."

The next Queensland Safety Show and Forum will run from 17-19 June 2007, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Wendy Cramer, Editor