For BusVic, there’s nothing that quite beats tradition.
Following BusNSW hosting the most recent Australasian Bus & Coach Expo in September 2022, BusVic initially decided to follow suit with the timing of its own Expo next year. As part of the deal between the state associations to host the national industry Expo every two years between the two states, BusVic will be hosting next year’s Expo in Melbourne.
Initially the Expo, which will also be held in conjunction with BusVic’s annual maintenance conference, was to be held on October 1 and 2 next year. Now, the two-day event has been switched to July 10 and 11 to match the history that comes with BusVic’s maintenance conference.
“Next year’s maintenance conference and Australasian Bus & Coach Expo will now be held on July 10 and 11 at Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, not on October 1 and 2,” BusVic executive director Chris Lowe told ABC.
“BusVic has brought the event forward as, over the past 70 years, the industry has grown accustomed to this event being held during the winter school holidays.”
Lowe has decided not to mess with this history, with BusVic now returning to July to host the event.
The new dates will still see the same Expo and events held in Melbourne, with 9,000 square metres of vehicle and equipment exhibition space allowing for the latest bus and coach technology and trade exhibition booths.
Australasia’s leading industry exhibition, conference and networking event will all be combined under the one roof alongside the BusVic maintenance conference, with technical and management conference sessions to be delivered alongside the Expo.
On Wednesday July 10, BusVic will hold its 80-year anniversary industry gala dinner at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, with keynote speakers to be presenting at the conference on both days of the Expo event.
Lowe says the Expo and conference program will have a special focus on zero-emissions buses and coaches and their infrastructure.
“With 2024 also being BusVic’s 80th year, the dinner will be a very special one,” he says.
While BusVic has received plenty of expressions of interest, Lowe says there are still some good exhibition opportunities available to secure space at the major event.
The Expo and conference hosted by BusVic will provide a great opportunity for manufacturers, suppliers and service providers to showcase their capabilities to operators around the wider industry.
Industry suppliers can still secure exhibition spaces for the 2024 Australasian Bus & Coach Expo in Melbourne by visiting www.busvic.asn.au/Exhibitor-EOI, with space selling fast.