The money generated for the biennial event would be used to keep Commerce North West’s membership fees lower. 

Mr Crowther was unsure yet whether changing the format to biennial was a benefit but said the chamber would know by the end of the three day event. There had been advantages to hosting it every two years including providing relief for major sponsors. 

Mr Crowther said there were about 80 exhibits displayed at the MineX event this week at Buchanan Park to showcase new technology. 

“From what I get the feeling of there’s a lot of new products out there,” he said. 

The exhibitions were the same number to the previous MineX in 2015. Mr Crowther said the level number was a contrast with the trend in expo shows across the country which appeared to be showing decreases in exhibitors’ interest. 

Mr Crowther said that in the digital age it was easily possible to check required products online. But nothing replaced being able to meet contacts and testing the items in person. It was about making connections and standing out from competitors. 

“It’s seeing where you can meet those opportunities and even tender for them,” he said. It was important for contractors and businesses that mining companies were aware of what they supplied. 

“In business you have got to be known and stand out from the crowd.” Hypothetically there would be five competitive businesses applying for a tender for a mining company.

“If you’re the one exhibiting it you’re standing out compared to the other four,” Mr Crowther said.  

It was a reason that Tuesday was going to be an ‘Industry only’ day for exhibitors. “It’s not as busy a day so exhibitors groups have more time for hard core industry people,” Mr Crowther said. Wednesday and Thursday would be more for the general public interested in the major industry.