DDT 2022 drew in a crowd despite weather challenges

In the face of La Niña's worst, the National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo managed to blindside the wild NSW wet weather, posting traffic-snarling attendance figures on the final day of the event.

Located at Sydney Dragway and incorporating the recently opened Speedway complex for parking duties, the country’s largest construction show went ahead with almost zero hitches, despite weeks of torrential rain in the lead-up to the event.

While Friday’s first-day activities were affected by consistent rain, day two on the Saturday saw healthy crowds braving the heavy showers that swept over the venue.

On Sunday, however, the rain stayed away and the attendance numbers swelled in response to the show’s free entry and a city full of parents who were more than ready to get the kids out of the house…

In fact, the crowds were so large on the final day that a traffic snarl stretched up to 3km leading into the speedway parking facility, frustrating some visitors and causing others to turn away.

However, visitors who managed to get in were treated to a perfect Sydney autumn day, inspecting more than 130 exhibitors across the construction and farming sectors.

Over the three days, a total of 71,300 visitors streamed through the gates. While slightly down on last year’s figures, organisers still deem it a huge success despite sub-par weather conditions.

This is the second year the event was held at the Sydney Dragway due to its better parking facilities and larger expo grounds. The event was previously held at the Penrith Panther’s ground in Penrith, NSW.  

Live demos of construction machinery kept the big kids entertained, while countless digger cabs and bulldozer steel tracks were clambered on, over and around by children right across the entire weekend.

“This is the place where everyone involved in the industry has a unique opportunity to update their knowledge of the latest equipment, technologies, processes and services to make their businesses, more productive and efficient,” said event manager, Marti Zivkovich.

A highlight of the event was the stand awards given to exhibitors who had the most impressive displays.

This year, WesTrac took out the award for the best large stand while Digga took home the best medium stand award. The best small stand was awarded to Manitou and the award for the best laneway booth went to GAAM Emergency Products.

Gold sponsor, Komatsu, took out the most innovative product award with its remote-controlled electric excavator. In addition to the electric excavator, Komatsu showed off a range of its other products including the new Komatsu iSite smart construction tech solution.

Besides Komatsu, a number of exhibitors took the opportunity to launch new products, including suspensions specialist, Tough Dog, which showcased its range of suspension upgrades for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Norm Engineering also used the show as a platform to launch its new trenchers and augers, while XCMG Mining Equipment Australia showcased its new 8-tonne and 15-tonne excavators at its stand.

Saturday was a huge day for the show as Pickles held its auction comprising about 130 lots of equipment across a wide range of applications.

Businesses who had a presence at the show said the event was an important opportunity for them to connect with new and existing clients.

“All our people are trades-based specialists who have been on the tools and we have very strong relationships with all the key companies in the construction and related industries” said Farah Lock from transport and logistics insurance experts, NTI.

“Diesel Dirt & Turf has been a fantastic event for us and we are really proud to be involved. The Expo enables us to showcase our special expertise and demonstrate a strong support for the industry.”

Albert Martin, Toro area sales manager of Semco Equipment Sales, said the company received great feedback from enthusiastic visitors who appreciated the availability of stock in these times when the right machine is not always easy to find.

“The Expo is an unbeatable place to show our full range of equipment which includes Toro mowers, construction equipment such as mini diggers trenchers and stump grinders,” he said.

“We are also showing the first of the Toro lithium powered equipment range which has generated huge interest.”

The 2022 National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo was held from April 8 to 10.

SEE ALSO: 2022 Australian earthmoving and construction events calendar