The Brisbane Truck Show was the ideal opportunity for new NatRoad CEO Warwick Ragg to reacquaint himself with the industry.
By his own admission, Warwick Ragg’s previous appearance at a truck show was in Sydney 25 years ago.
However, the recently appointed National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) chief executive officer came away from the Brisbane Truck Show impressed with the industry’s technological advances over the decades.
Ragg was equally pleased at the show’s attendance figures, and in particular the number of people stopping by the NatRoad stand.
“You’ve got to get your name in the marketplace, that’s why we’re here,” Ragg says.
“That’s why we’re spending the money on the stand.
“We think we’ve got pretty good brand recognition, we’ve got reasonable coverage but we want to expand.
“And we think we think we’ve got a really good package to offer members – legal advice, industrial relations, member benefits and fuel discounts are all quality services for members to use,” he says.
Stepping into the NatRoad role in February this year, Ragg replaced Chris Melham who is now the CEO of the Australian Trucking Association.
Ragg comes to NatRoad following more than 20 years’ experience in other member-based industry associations, including the New South Wales Farmers Association and 11 years as the CEO of the Australian Forest Growers.
However, his NatRoad appointment raised eyebrows in some sectors of the transport industry, although he is quick to point out the crossover between his previous posts and trucking.
“I’ve always been interested in heavy machinery,” he says.
“I’ve got a farm background, I’ve got a passion for rural and regional Australia and that’s where the big footprint for the truck sector is.
“I’ve got 20 years’ experience in advocacy in those sectors, so I think I’ve got something to offer.”
Another benefit for Ragg attending the Brisbane Truck Show was to familiarise himself with the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre, the venue for the upcoming NatRoad conference.
“We’ll be here from the 13th to the 15th of August, and we’re hoping to get about 300 delegates for another quality NatRoad conference,” Ragg says.
For information on the 2017 show, visit our Brisbane Truck Show hub page.
Photography: Greg Bush