LiftEx is the global event series for the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA).
It was established in 2006, as a trade show – drawing attention to the growing significance of our industry.
LiftEx was also my first introduction to the industry, when I travelled to the UK to meet the team in 2018 following my joining of LEEA.
Coming from a non-lifting background, the event showed me the vast scope and importance of our specialised field. It really was a great introduction to the industry.
The following year, in 2019, I revisited LiftEx with a mission from our members to establish LiftEx in our region.
Fortunately, with support from the Head Office, plans for a biannual event series starting in 2020 were granted – until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic halted our progress.
Fast forward three years, and with unwavering support from our members and the wider industry, LiftEx Regional – Sydney happened in May this year.
This event provided a valuable platform to share information and reignite connections that had waned during the tumultuous COVID-19 years.
Buoyed by the success of LiftEx Sydney 2023, we are now gearing up for a grander event in 2024.
I am thrilled to announce that we are taking LiftEx to the Gold Coast, with a vision for a larger showcase event.
Unlike the 2023 event, we’re hosting a full exhibition, open to both end users, stakeholders and industry participants.
It will be an event to show the latest technological advancements and services available in our industry.
To ensure maximum exposure for our event in September 2024, the LEEA Australia and NZ Regional Council set up a stand at the recent LiftEx UK – Liverpool.
The primary goal was to attract an international presence for our Gold Coast event and to foster better connections of Australian firms into the global market.
Our efforts were rewarded with strong commitments from key industry players, setting us firmly on the path for a successful event.
As a business development opportunity for our members, we distributed materials to interested visiting organisations, aiming to develop our members’ connections into the global industry.
Our region is increasingly becoming a preferred destination for international firms, thanks to its safe and reliable market.
Discussions revolved not only around distributorships and partnerships but also highlighted the appealing lifestyle our region offers.
We emphasised attractive job prospects in the region, accompanied by a vivid representation of our major cities’ sunny, sandy and vibrant lifestyle, creating a sharp contrast against the chilly, overcast Liverpool weather.
This we hope will go some way to alleviating the employment issues we are facing. Stay tuned for more updates on LiftEx Regional – Gold Coast 2024. Exciting times lie ahead!