Tons of Big Iron took over the massive International Centre for the 2015 edition of the National Heavy Equipment Show March 5 and 6 in Mississauga.
Jam-packed aisles were a strong indication of the show’s success; 13,772 buyers walked the show floor over the two days of the event – the largest attendance to date, the show organizers said in a news release. Attendance has been on the rise over the past four editions of this biennial event, with an increase of over 30 per cent since 2009.
Visitors to the show represented a mix of industry professionals, including the leaders of the construction, road building, land improvement, and infrastructure industries – along with job seekers, students, and those training for specific trades, who were all awestruck by the mammoth equipment onsite.
“We have been hearing positive reports on all fronts,” said national show manager Mark Cusack. “Visitors were pleased with the size and diversity of the cutting-edge equipment showcased, and exhibitors are talking about the high traffic and the many qualified buyers who came out to the event. The focus on improving public infrastructure right across the country brought key decision makers and purchasers directly to the show.”
Special features of the 2015 edition of the National Heavy Equipment Show included ‘Heavy Education’, a series of educational and informative seminars presented by Rock To Road Magazine, as well as a session from the Association of Ontario Road Supervisors. Other exciting components included the Gravel Pit, Snow and Ice Removal, Rental Pavilion, the Recruiting Here feature, and a focus on safety products.
The National Heavy Equipment Show ‘Industry Breakfast’ was presented by the CAED on the second morning of the show. Attendees to the event were treated to a presentation by Keynote Speaker Bob Collins, Senior Economist with BuildForce Canada, who delivered a very informative session – ‘2015: A Forecast for the Industry’.
The next edition of the National Heavy Equipment Show will take place in 2017; stay tuned to www.NHES.ca for updates.