Behind the Scenes at QME: How the Capricorn Business Hub Helped Industrial CQ Shine

When Wendy Bishop, Director of Industrial CQ, described what it takes to build an exhibition stand, she summed it up perfectly: "They say it takes a village... apparently it takes a small army!"

While visitors to the Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition (QME) saw a polished, professional booth, few realised just how much planning, teamwork, and last-minute problem-solving went on behind the scenes to make it happen.

There was no shortage of sample boxes to be prepared.

The Work Before the Doors Opened

Long before the exhibition floor opened to the public, the Industrial CQ team and supporters from the Capricorn Business Hub were hard at work. Capability statements needed printing, brochures needed packing, samples needed painting, cutting, sanding and stickers attached before being packed into individual sample boxes that had been carefully put together, and banners needed organising. There was even a "Glow-in-the-Dark" dark room to prepare, and, in a touch that certainly caught the eye of passers-by, a batch of glowing golf balls to assemble.

Yes, glowing golf balls. And by all accounts, they were an absolute hit with visitors.

A great glow-in-the dark safety product needs a dark room display to shine!

A True Community Effort

What made the Industrial CQ stand such a success wasn't just the final display, it was the people who came together to build it. Members of the Capricorn Business Hub community rolled up their sleeves alongside the Industrial CQ team, sharing ideas, packing boxes, and helping set up displays in the lead-up to the event.

This is exactly the kind of collaboration the Hub was created to foster: local businesses supporting one another, pooling skills and effort, and helping each other put their best foot forward on some of the region's biggest stages.

Showcasing Central Queensland on a Premier Industry Platform

The Queensland Mining & Engineering Exhibition is one of the resources sector's premier events, drawing customers, suppliers, and industry connections from across the state. For Industrial CQ, it was a valuable opportunity to showcase what the business can deliver, and to reconnect with familiar faces while forging new relationships.

As Wendy put it: "To everyone who stopped by for a chat, thank you. And to the team behind the scenes, you know who you are, we couldn't have done it without you."

Building the Ecosystem, One Event at a Time

Stories like this are exactly why the Capricorn Business Hub exists. Our goal is to strengthen the network of startups, innovators, and small businesses across the Rockhampton and Capricorn Coast region, helping local businesses like Industrial CQ succeed not just individually, but as part of a genuinely connected community.

If your business is preparing for an upcoming trade show, exhibition, or industry event, and could use a hand, a fresh idea, or simply some encouragement, we would love to hear from you. Get in touch with the Capricorn Business Hub to find out how our network can support your next big moment.

A huge congratulations to Wendy Bishop and the entire Industrial CQ team on a fantastic showing at QME!

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Capricorn Business Hub is proudly funded by the