Australia’s heavy-vehicle sector is navigating major change, with new regulatory obligations, growing safety and wellbeing pressures, productivity challenges, workforce constraints and the accelerating shift towards new energy and technology reshaping the road ahead.
In response, HVIA member WHG has created a new forum designed to bring the right voices together and turn these challenges into practical conversation.
In 2026 the TechDRIVE Roadshow, first staged in Melbourne in 2023, is expanding with the launch of “TechDRIVE Connect”, an executive-focused leadership discussion forum. Curated as a limited-capacity event, it is designed to create an engaging, more personal and highly interactive industry conversation.
TechDRIVE Connect will take place on August 20 at The Bethnal in Brisbane, bringing together regulators, fleet operators, manufacturers, energy providers, technology leaders and industry associations for focused discussion, practical insight and meaningful connection.
The new format builds on the foundation laid by the TechDRIVE Roadshow, moving beyond traditional presentations to create space for open conversation, shared experiences and the practical exchange of ideas.
The Brisbane program will focus on four key areas:
> State Of Transport – Australian Transport Outlook 2026-2030: The reforms turning real-world challenges into practical realities supporting safer, smarter and more productive freight.
> Safety Beyond Compliance: An executive discussion examining how fatigue management, mental wellbeing, artificial intelligence, compliance and leadership can contribute to safer and more resilient transport operations.
> Beyond Diesel – Powering The Next Era Of Transport: Insights into the energy, infrastructure and fleet strategies accelerating heavy transport towards a cleaner, smarter and more productive future.
> Leading Transport Strategies – The Road To 2030: A panel session bringing together leading voices from industry, government, fleet, energy and technology to identify the priorities shaping Australia’s transport future, from AI and connected transport to regulation, investment and workforce pressures.
Among the organisations and speakers joining the TechDRIVE Connect Brisbane line-up are Transport Certification Australia, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Garmin, Polymer Connect, Daimler Truck, HVIA and WHG, with further industry leaders, operators and technology voices to be announced in the lead-up to the event.
WHG Director of Operations Dylan Hartley says TechDRIVE Connect has been developed to create the kind of industry conversation that leads to practical progress.
“TechDRIVE has always been about bringing the right people together. TechDRIVE Connect gives us the opportunity to create focused and open discussion around the key issues facing transport and the priorities across our industry,” he says.
Complementing TechDRIVE Connect, TechDRIVE Melbourne is set to deliver a larger industry showcase incorporating exhibitions, vehicle displays, technology demonstrations and networking at Seaworks on October 21. For registrations, partnership opportunities and event updates, visit whgtechdrive.com.au.