QME is set to return to Mackay with a focus on connection, collaboration and business development, reinforcing its role as Australia’s largest regional mining gathering.
The Queensland Mining and Engineering Exhibition (QME) 2026 is shaping up as more than a showcase of mining equipment and technology, with its value increasingly defined by the relationships formed and strengthened across the three-day event.
Returning to the Mackay Showgrounds from July 21–23, the exhibition has already reached full capacity on the show floor, underscoring its significance as a key meeting point for Australia’s resources industry. Thousands of decision-makers, suppliers and innovators are expected to attend, building on the more than 5000 visitors recorded at the 2024 event.
While the exhibition floor will again feature the latest in mining machinery, processing systems, digital tools and specialist services, it is the networking ecosystem surrounding QME that continues to set it apart.
Prime Creative Media show director – mining events at Rebecca Todesco said QME is fundamentally about bringing the industry together in one place at the right time.
“QME puts you in the same room as the industry’s key players, from mine operators and engineers through to executives and emerging innovators,” she said. “These conversations lead to new contracts, new partnerships and new ideas.”
That emphasis on direct engagement is built into every layer of the event, starting on the exhibition floor, where hundreds of suppliers and service providers will be actively showcasing solutions designed for real-world mining challenges.
For attendees, this creates an environment where introductions can quickly evolve into practical discussions about site requirements, operational constraints and technology deployment, allowing decisions to be made with a level of immediacy rarely possible outside a dedicated industry gathering.
But the networking does not stop when the exhibition doors close each day. QME has developed a program of structured and informal events that extend conversations beyond the floor and into more relaxed environments.
One of the most important of these is the QME networking drinks, which provide an opportunity for attendees to step away from the busy exhibition environment and continue discussions in a setting designed to encourage deeper engagement.
“Some of the most valuable moments at QME happen after hours,” Todesco said.
“The networking drinks create a space where people can connect on a deeper level, which is often where the real business gets done.”
As relationships build over the event, attention turns to the Queensland Mining Awards Gala Presentation Dinner, which serves as the centrepiece of QME’s networking program.
The gala brings together the full breadth of the industry in a single setting, recognising excellence while also creating a unique environment for senior leaders, operators and emerging businesses to connect.
The evening combines formal dining with entertainment and industry recognition, but its value lies in the density of decision-makers in the room and the opportunity for direct engagement across all levels of the sector.
“You’re surrounded by the people driving mining forward, all in one place, all wanting to talk about the industry,” Todesco said.
“It’s a rare opportunity to connect with many key players in a single setting.”
Beyond the networking program, QME continues to deliver a comprehensive exhibition experience that spans the full mining supply chain. Heavy equipment displays will sit alongside digital platforms, mineral processing technologies and specialised service providers, offering attendees a complete view of the systems supporting modern mining operations.
Live demonstrations and interactive exhibits remain a defining feature of the event, allowing visitors to see equipment operating in real conditions and engage directly with technical experts.
This hands-on approach helps to bridge the gap between product development and site application, giving attendees a clearer understanding of how solutions perform in practice.
The Mining Pavilion once again plays a central role in this environment, providing a dedicated space where major industry operators can engage directly with attendees.
Companies including Glencore, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, Mackellar Group, Stanmore Resources and Whitehaven Coal will be represented, offering visitors rare access to operational decision-makers from across the sector.
Todesco said the pavilion continues to be one of the most important connection points at the exhibition.
“It gives visitors direct access to the people behind major operations, while giving mining companies a powerful platform to engage, share insights and build lasting connections,” she said.
Complementing the exhibition floor is QME’s three-day conference program, which will explore the strategic and operational issues shaping Queensland’s mining future.
Key themes will include evolution of coal and critical minerals, sustainability pressures, workforce development and the integration of emerging technologies into mining operations.
Speakers will include Queensland Resources Council chief executive officer (CEO) Janette Hewson, Minerals Council of Australia CEO Tania Constable, CSIRO senior research geophysicist Wayne Stasinowsky and Queensland Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner James Purtill, among others.
These sessions are designed to complement the exhibition by providing deeper insight into industry challenges and opportunities, while also creating further opportunities for engagement between attendees and speakers.
Importantly, they reinforce QME’s role not just as a trade exhibition, but as a forum for industry-wide discussion and knowledge exchange.
Hosting the event in Mackay strengthens this positioning. The region sits at the centre of Queensland’s mining ecosystem and has long served as a hub for engineering services, supply chain logistics and operational support across the Bowen Basin and beyond.
This proximity to active mining operations helps to ensure that discussions at QME remain closely tied to real-world conditions, with many attendees working directly in environments that reflect the challenges being addressed throughout the event.
As Queensland continues to balance its established coal sector with increasing investment in critical minerals, QME provides a setting where both areas of the industry can be explored side by side.
From sustaining productivity in mature operations to building new supply chains for emerging commodities, the event reflects the dual pressures and opportunities shaping the sector’s future.
QME 2026 is ultimately positioned as a central networking platform for the mining industry, bringing together the people, ideas and organisations driving the sector forward and creating opportunities that extend well beyond the exhibition floor.
