Reed Exhibitions exhibition manager Soren Norgaard said there were 100 exhibitors confirmed for the event, which is held every four years, with around 150 expected in total.

“Already we have some high-profile suppliers contracted to attend M&E NSW, including Atlas Copco, Valley Longwall International, Aggreko, infrastructure supplier Areva T&D, the HunterNet pavilion, Cat Rental, Coal Services and Cutting Edges,” he said.

“We are also talking to other leading suppliers to the mining and resources sector, who are about to commit to attend.”

Norgaard said exhibitions were a highly cost-effective way to generate sales leads and enter new markets.

He added that people will always want and need to meet face-to-face.

“Only at an exhibition can a company simultaneously generate publicity, demonstrate products, answer questions, overcome objections, close sales, meet new prospects and develop relationships with existing customers,” he said.

With M&E NSW servicing the Upper Hunter region, Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mike Kelly said business in the area was very confident.

“Muswellbrook is at the heart of coal mining and power generation in NSW, and the Upper Hunter mining community is really looking forward to seeing the latest technology, equipment and services that will be on show,” Kelly said.

He is also looking forward to upgrades to Newcastle’s port, which is tipped to increase capacity by 30 million tonnes per annum in 2010 and reach 200Mtpa capacity by 2014.

“Despite the economic downturn, Hunter Valley mines are gearing up for increased production with the opening of the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group coal loader in February next year.

“Contractors and suppliers to the industry are also gearing up for increased growth, despite the global financial crisis.”

While there have been job cuts this year, Kelly said there was still very strong demand for tradespeople, operators and labourers in the region.

He added that engineering firms and maintenance contractors were still facing challenges in finding skilled workers.