The way to inspire the next generation of truckers is to invite them to the biggest, best truck show. This year’s TMC Trucking Industry Show, held at the end of November 2022, was a spectacle; everything we promised, we delivered. Think of it as Disneyland for truckers and future truckers. Even those not besotted with trucks enjoyed the day. Thankfully, the sun was shining, meaning families came out and stayed for the day.
More than 45,000 people filled the beautiful Canterbury Agricultural Park. The trucking-themed NZ Trucking Association Kids Zone was swamped with kids all day. They could dig for treasure in the Road Metals Giant Sandpits, play mini golf in the Transport Golf Village, climb over the 23m-long inflatable truck, run on the Carters Tyre Run, or chill in the Colour Tent. Kids will remember these free activities for many years.
For the lucky ones, there was a large range of remote toy trucks. RC Haulers attracted a lot of attention, driving its custom-made scale trucks and diggers.
Valvoline set up a Road Safety Scooter Track, another popular attraction. It was a lot of fun trying to keep the kids following the arrows on the one-way track.
Trucking celebrity Glenn “Yogi” Kendal, who features in Outback Truckers, attended the show, and the kids and adults loved the opportunity to grab him for a quick photo.
This was transport’s day to shine – and it did in a grand way. More than 450 working trucks parked up on Saturday morning for the Show and Shine. The truck drivers spent the day at the show feeling proud of their highly skilled industry. It was a way for them to connect with other drivers and check out the trade stands. Some competed in the TR Group New Zealand Driving Championships, Palfinger Crane Competition and the Forklift Associations Forklift Competition.
The newly renovated Road Safety Truck was a showstopper. More than 1000 people experienced the newly installed SafeT360 virtual-reality programme.
The next show will be in 2024 – with a date announced soon. It is likely to be in March, which was the original date for this year’s show and a much better time of year for the industry. It is sure to attract another large crowd.
A show of this magnitude has a team of hard-working individuals behind it, so I must give a shout-out to them. The industry stepped up and has now created a way forwards to inspire.
