G'day Fellas,

Well the shows are all over for the year and once again they pretty much went off without a hitch. Great deals were had by all and a few prizes were won along the way and by now you will all be wearing in those tools back on the job.

Already we have started working on next year's round of shows, and I can tell you, they are going to be something special. We know that more than anything, tradies enjoy a good deal, and so that's one of the things we are working on - bringing you some of the hottest exclusive one-off deals at some ridiculous prices. But more about that later... Most importantly, we are asking our suppliers to sharpen their pencils and make sure they are bringing to the show, prices that you cannot beat somewhere else, so that the National Tradesman's Expo becomes your must-attend tool and machinery sale of the year.

Something we will also roll out in 2010 is our exclusive Club Tradie Loyalty Program, giving you access to great deals for some of our key suppliers, all year round. The Loyalty Program is only available if you attend the show in your city, so there's another good reason to mark the dates in your diary now. Participating suppliers in our Melbourne trial program include United Tools, Supergroups (Kubota), MCE Lasers, Caddy Storage Systems, Mobile Promotional Products, U-Tool and Embroid Me, with more to come in 2010. Melbourne readers look out for your Club Tradie Loyalty Card e-update over the coming weeks.

We would also like to welcome the Trading Post as our official media partner for 2010. Following their involvement in Melbourne this year, the Trading Post will be the publisher of our official show guide in 2010, so for all the advance news, be sure to pick up your copy of the Trading Post before heading down to the show in your city.

Dates for the 2010 shows are as follows:

Sydney          12th-14th March 2010      Rosehill Gardens

Brisbane        26th-28th March 2010      RNA Showgrounds

Melbourne      4th-6th June 2010           Melbourne Showgrounds

LOCAL NEWS

     

SYDNEY

The big news in Sydney next year is that not only have we changed dates, but just to confuse you a little more, we moved venue as well! There's no excuse for missing the show in 2010 since we have moved it to mid-March, before the footy season kicks in, and with all-day free event parking, how can you go past Rosehill Gardens, just a stone's throw from Parramatta.

We would also like to welcome our new event supporters, the Golden Bucket Allied Earthmovers Association - a group that does great work for those big blokes that spend their days behind the controls of diggers and dumpers. For more information, check them out at www.goldenbucket.ihub.com.au. They join regular supporters, the Master Builders (NSW), with more to follow.

Speaking of Master Builders, for the first time in Sydney you will be able to earn CPD points just by attending the National Tradesman's Expo. Just keep your time-stamped entry receipt and validate it at the Master Builders stand to get your points up.

We are pleased to announce VEK Tools, a new member of Construction Supply Specialists, as our exclusive tool retailer at the show. Kiro and his boys are pressing the tool brands hard for some great deals, so keep watching this space for more news as it comes to hand.

Tradies can be a competitive bunch. They argue over whose got the cuter girl, the better footy team and the most faithful mutt. But at this years Sydney show, we are going to open Pandora's toolbox with our search for Sydney's hottest ute. The Great Tradesman's Ute Muster will showcase up to 30 late model utes curtesy of the NSW Ute Club. Come along and vote for your favorite ute for a chance to share in some great prizes, or bring along a photo of your workhorse to see how she compares. For more information on the NSW Ute Club, check out their website at www.nswuteclub.com.au

Yep, Sydney is shaping up as a big show so make sure you tell your mates and head on down to Rosehill in March.

 BRISBANE

There are changes afoot in Brisbane in 2010 too, as the RNA tears down the old Industrial Pavilion and we relocate across the road to the Exhibition Hall. The show will be held over two levels and promises to be our biggest Brisbane event ever. Suppliers are coming back in droves to what was in 2009, the biggest National Tradesman's Expo in Australia. I guess it's true what they say about Queenslanders... Everything's bigger!

Once again you can expect to find Queensland's best deals in power and hand tools from both United Tools and Total Tools. But that's not all, with early indications that we will have a huge selection of earthmoving machinery, commercial vehicles and service bodies as well. By March the RNA is going to be bursting at the seams.

MELBOURNE

Firstly, a big congratulations to the winner of our door prize at this year's show. John Schofield, a chippy from Yarraville is now the proud owner of a brand new trailer from Built Tough, along with some other prizes donated by our friendly suppliers, with a total value of around ten grand. Not bad for a day's work!

Of course the big news at the Melbourne show this year was the introduction of the Club Tradie Loyalty Program (see below for further details). If you came to this year's show, you will no doubt have your Loyalty Card in you wallet or glove box, so don't forget that this gives you access to some hot deals for the rest of the year. For more details on how to use your card and what offers are available, check out the website at www.ntx.com.au/ 

With the show only 8 weeks behind us, it's a little early to report on what we are planning for next year, but whatever it is; it's going to be big. So keep reading the newsletter and checking the website for more news as it comes to hand.

With over a 20 NEW exhibitors, don't miss this unique opportunity to see, discuss and compare the latest products, services and technologies available from the industry's leading suppliers.
This year's Melbourne Expo is being held from 26^th-28^th August at the Melbourne Showgrounds, in the Exhibition Pavilion, which is equipped with heating and all amenities.
With the introduction of a bi-annual format, this year's Melbourne Landscape Expo is your last chance to see a huge range of the latest products for all landscape applications, all under one roof, until 2011. The Sydney and Perth Expos will be held in 2010, with the Brisbane and Melbourne events returning in 2011.        

Entry is FREE to all industry personnel including architects, designers, contractors, council staff, urban developers & planners, maintenance contractors, retail nurseries and garden centres.

Free registration and full event details, including a list of exhibitors is available online at www.landscapeexpo.com.au or you can contact Stephanie Katague for further information on 02 9556 7994

Australia's biggest 4X4, Off Road, Fishing and Outdoors Expo will set up camp at the Royal Melbourne Showgrounds, 4-6 September, 2009.
The show will feature 4wd's, fishing, boating, off road motorcycles, camping, camper trailers, outdoor & adventure gear. Highlights to the new show include, monster truck, wheelie jeep, Freestyle motocross, Fishing casting areas, 4wd test track, plus many more. And one lucky visitor will win a brand new Isuzu D-Max Crew Cab Ute Valued at over $38,000! What a perfect Fathers Day present for one lucky dad!

As a special offer for Club Tradie Members, simply print the voucher below and get $4 off the standard adult entry price.

MELBOURNE CLUB TRADIE LOYALTY PROGRAM

People who came to this years Melbourne Expo, and entered our fantastic door prize for a Tradie Trailer would have been issued with a "Club Tradie" membership card. This card entitles you to discounts for the next 12 months with some of our Melbourne Supporters upon presentation of your club card.

Specials offered include:

Caddy Storage - 5% discount on any purchase
Embroid Me Moonee Ponds - All polo shirts, work wear pants, boots, will receive free caps embroided with their logo or design and any orders over $500 will receive free artwork set up.
MCE Laser - With the purchase of their LAS 203.K3 Laser level Kit receive a free tripod and staff along with free delivery anywhere in Australia.
Mobile Promotional Products - 15% off the cost of workwear, including all the top brands like King Gee, Visitec, Indico, Bisley, Yakka, DNC and more
Supergroups - $1000 Fuel card with every Hydrolic Excavator purchase OR
Service and repairs to their new Hydrolic Excavator to the value of $1000 Inc GST
United Tools - Exclusive VIP Status with best available discounted price on any tool purchase. Guaranty to never pay retail at United Tools.
U-Tool - Sign up for free and receive 50 free SMS credits worth $44.50

Regards

The Tradies Expo Team