One for the Books! Bowens Expo 2024

Bowens Building + Innovation Expo, 11^th Sept 2024

What an event! Bowens Building + Innovation Expo 2024, held at the iconic Royal Exhibition Building, brought together industry leaders, suppliers, product innovators, builders, trades and TAFE students, for a full day of networking, education, and exploration of the latest trends in construction.

“There was a great vibe from the beginning, with an outstanding layout in an iconic Victorian building, providing an opportunity for suppliers to present products to customers in a manner beyond any comparable industry event,” said John Bowen, Bowens’ Managing Director.

With a vibrant atmosphere and engaging workshops, Bowens Expo served as a reminder of why this is the ultimate event for builders and suppliers in Australia.

“When things become difficult the easy option is to put our heads down, retract and wait for the environment to improve – however that is not our way. Our choice is to challenge our business, our customers and our suppliers to find more efficient building methods. I am very proud of our effort in delivering an exceptional Expo in 2024,” John said.

Innovation and Seminars

Bowens Expo 2024 delivered on its promise to inspire and educate builders with new and innovative products.

Our innovation seminars ran throughout the day, covering topics such as high-performance building solutions, airtight and weathertight homes, condensation management and ventilation and more. The aim was to educate our customers in construction methodology, to help build better homes and elevate the overall building standards here in Victoria.

“We are seeing a real ground swell of builders wanting to enter into the area of high-performance building and it is exciting to be able to help educate the market on the latest innovative building solutions,” said Andrew Healey, Bowens’ Product Innovation & Business Development Manager.

Experts offered insights into the latest trends shaping the industry with high-performance building solutions attracting a lot of interest. Two high-performance builders took to the stage to share the practices they are implementing and how they go about constantly evolving their building methods.

“There was definitely a lot of interest from the audience wanting to learn how they can build breathable, watertight and airtight homes, the cornerstone of high-performance building solutions,” Andrew Healey said.

Expo Highlights

The atmosphere was electric from the moment the doors opened. Thousands of industry professionals, apprentices, and building enthusiasts were treated to a day packed with events, seminars and live demonstrations – there was something for everyone.

There were activations and product demonstrations from a range of suppliers including Paslode, who launched their remastered CoilMaster tool bringing nail gun activations, games and high energy to their stand. James Hardie caught the crowd’s eye showcasing their Modern Homes forecast which includes Barn, Farmhouse, Box Modern and Modern Heritage looks. Weathertex and Hume Doors & Timber also offered standout interactive displays.

Circa along with Laminex, Zanda and Porta entertained the crowd with a bar area and mini golf offering the chance to win $5,000. Bowens eCommerce team were inundated with attendees wanting to get their hands on free merchandise with their spin the wheel and win a prize.

TAFE students tested their skills in a hands-on building challenge using the Spantec subfloor system. The students were judged on technique and quality of their work to see who could build the fastest subfloor.

For those wanting something a little different, builders and trades were offered the opportunity to get a free tattoo when they spent $250 or more at selected suppliers. One loyal punter got their very own Bowens tattoo as a permanent reminder of the day.

As the Expo unfolded, two live DJs kept the energy high as food trucks fueled the crowd with food and drinks. The day ended with one lucky attendee snagging the ultimate prize—a brand-new Toyota Hilux Rogue.

Wrapping Up an Unforgettable Day

A huge thank you goes out to all the exhibitors and sponsors who made this event possible including our major sponsor, Toyota. Special thanks also to the attendees for making this year’s Bowens Building + Innovation Expo one for the books.

“It was our biggest attendance on record for a Bowens Expo, which added to the amazing vibe and excitement around the building industry in Melbourne,” said Mai Laskey, Bowens’ Senior Digital Marketing Manager.

We can’t wait to see everyone again for the Bowens Building + Innovation Expo 2026. With the industry evolving at such a rapid pace, we’re sure the next expo will continue to challenge and inspire. We’ll see you at the next big event!