Quick Answer
To prepare for QME 2026 as a mining contractor, work through these eight steps in the 8–12 weeks before the expo:
- Define 3 outcomes before you register
- Book vendor meetings 4–6 weeks out
- Build a shortlist of 8–12 must-see stands
- Prepare a TCO scorecard and 5 standard software questions
- Bring the right team and split coverage
- Sort flights and Mackay accommodation early
- Warm up your Tier-1 miner rep relationships
- Plan follow-up ownership before you fly out
Why prep is the whole game
QME is a big expo across three days at the Mackay Showgrounds. You'll walk 20,000+ steps a day, talk to dozens of vendors and burn through business cards. Without prep, most contractors come home with a stack of brochures, no shortlist and no decisions made. With prep, the same three days become a compressed six months of business development.
The difference is almost entirely made before you land in Mackay.
8 steps to prepare for QME 2026
1. Define 3 outcomes before you register
Don't go to QME 2026 to "have a look". Pick three outcomes — e.g. shortlist two haul truck OEMs, pick a mining-fit software platform, and meet with a Tier-1 miner rep. Every stand you visit either serves one of these or it doesn't.
2. Book meetings 4–6 weeks out
OEM and software vendor calendars fill fast. Reach out early to lock in 30-minute slots at their stands — you'll get senior people, a private meeting space and a proper demo instead of a five-minute pitch on the aisle.
3. Build a shortlist of 8–12 stands
Use the QME exhibitor list to pre-plan a shortlist. Group by category (equipment, parts, software, safety, engineering) and mark which are "must see" vs "walk-up if time permits". This is the difference between a productive day and sore feet.
4. Prepare a scorecard, not a shopping list
For any equipment, prepare a TCO scorecard (fuel, parts, servicing, rebuild, resale). For software, prepare 5 standard questions covering FIFO rosters, Tier-1 compliance, integration and support. Same questions to every vendor = fair comparison.
5. Bring the right people
One person can't cover QME. Split up: an operations lead on equipment, a workshop or reliability lead on parts and monitoring, an office lead on software and compliance, and someone senior on Tier-1 miner conversations. Debrief nightly.
6. Sort logistics early
Mackay hotel rooms sell out weeks before QME. Book flights and accommodation as soon as dates are confirmed, and organise a hire car — the Showgrounds, hotels and networking events are spread out.
7. Warm up your Tier-1 relationships
Tell your Tier-1 miner reps (BMA, Anglo, Peabody, Glencore, Whitehaven) you'll be at QME and offer to grab a coffee. Informal 15-minute chats at expos often move faster than months of formal procurement emails.
8. Plan the follow-up before you go
Decide who owns follow-up for each vendor before you fly out. Nothing wastes a QME week faster than a stack of business cards no one actions. Set a 5-day post-QME deadline for shortlists and next steps.
A simple 8-week countdown
Confirm attendees, book flights and Mackay accommodation, and lock in registration for the whole team.
Download and review the exhibitor list. Build the 8–12 stand shortlist and agree three outcomes for the week.
Reach out to priority OEMs and software vendors to book meetings. Warm up Tier-1 miner rep contacts.
Finalise TCO scorecard, software vendor questions, team coverage roster, printed one-pagers and follow-up ownership.
Confirm all meetings, brief the team on outcomes and coverage, and pack the QME kit (see checklist below).
Nightly team debrief. Log every meeting into your CRM or shared doc while it's fresh. Book any repeat visits for the next day.
QME 2026 packing checklist
- Comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes (Showgrounds is big and dusty)
- Company polos or branded uniforms — you're on show too
- Business cards and a QR code linking to your capability statement
- Printed one-pager on your business for OEMs and Tier-1 miner reps
- Notebook or tablet for stand-by-stand notes — plus a portable charger
- Water bottle and sunscreen — a lot of QME happens on the outdoor hardstand
- Your TCO scorecard and 5 standard software vendor questions
- Team roster showing who's covering which stands and meetings
5 questions to ask every software or systems vendor
- Which Australian mining contractor is running this in production in 2026?
- How does it handle FIFO/DIDO rosters, mining EBAs and QLD site allowances?
- What does onboarding look like — who owns it, and how long does it take?
- How does data flow between field, workshop, safety, timesheets and payroll?
- What's the total 3-year cost including implementation, training and support?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Turn up without a shortlist or defined outcomes.
- Rely on walk-ups for your priority OEMs and software vendors.
- Send one person to cover the whole exhibition.
- Skip the Tier-1 miner rep coffee catch-ups — they're gold.
- Leave follow-up to "whoever picks it up" after the week.
Related reading: What is QME 2026? · QME 2026 dates · Where is QME 2026 held? · QME 2026 exhibitor list · What to look for at QME if you're a contractor · QME mining equipment: what to compare · QME engineering focus for 2026 · What contractors need to know about QME.
