NMW/Austech moves to Sydney's manufacturing heartland

Reed Exhibitions and AMTIL have jointly announced a number of significant changes to National Manufacturing Week, which will next be held in Sydney from 11-14 May 2010. These changes include a shift to a new venue for the Sydney exhibition, and a range of new events within the show.

“NMW 2010 will introduce a range of events within the exhibition aimed at aligning it even more closely with the needs and latest developments in the manufacturing industry,” said John Gorton, Group Director of Reed Exhibitions.

“A prime example of this will be our Manufacturing Outlook centre, a program of interactive presentations and discussions, which will see industry leaders debate key topics affecting the future of Australia’s manufacturing industry ... Many in the industry have told us that in light of the challenges they are currently facing, they wanted NMW to focus more on the issues and opportunities facing this sector right now in this economic climate.

“The parallel events we will introduce at NMW 2010 will do this, helping the industry make better-informed decisions and take advantage of new opportunities,” he said.

In line with these significant changes and increased focus on the 'here and now', NMW 2010 will be moving to the Sydney Showground at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush Bay. NMW will continue to alternate each year between Sydney and Melbourne.

“Moving NMW 2010 to Sydney Olympic Park is strongly supported by key exhibitors and visitors to previous Sydney editions of NMW, as it brings the event right into Greater Western Sydney,” said Gorton. “This is the largest manufacturing region in Australia, with more than 10,000 manufacturing businesses employing 110,000 people, and generating AU$12.3 billion in gross regional product (GRP) from manufacturing alone."

According to Gorton, the new Sydney venue offers many advantages to both exhibitors and visitors.

“Access to Sydney Olympic Park is far more convenient for both exhibitors and visitors, with the site being adjacent to major freeway connections, and much closer to Sydney — and state-based manufacturing operations,” he said. “As a dedicated exhibition site, access for exhibitors wishing to move in heavy equipment is much easier, without the need to negotiate inner-Sydney’s traffic snarls.

“For visitors, the new site offers unlimited low-cost parking and easy access from all parts of Sydney, as well as from regional centres of the state,” Gorton said.

Shane Infanti, CEO of AMTIL, said the move to the Sydney Showground is strongly supported by AMTIL members and Austech exhibitors.

“This is a significant change for our event and a decision that has been made after much industry consultation,” he said. “A detailed process of talking to both exhibitors and visitors of previous Sydney-based shows has been undertaken.

“We are confident that the venue at Homebush, which is closer to the heartland of manufacturing, will provide easier access for manufacturers, particularly those based in New South Wales, to visit the exhibition and attend the range of parallel events,” said Infanti.