Dunedin celebrates a decade of its Trade Expo

For the past decade, the Dunedin Trade Expo has been quietly building its reputation as a must-attend event for local tradies – and this year’s milestone event proved just how far it’s come 

Now in its tenth year, the expo was originally born from a simple idea – to bring the kind of big-city trade show experience that builders in Dunedin and Mosgiel often miss out on. 

“We’ve got customers who actually travel overseas to see what’s new in the market,” said PlaceMakers Dunedin & Mosgiel Branch Operator Justin Macready. “So we thought – why not bring that same opportunity right here to Dunedin?” 

What started as a modest gathering with 20 suppliers has grown into a full-scale event, this year hosting over 70 supplier stands and drawing a record 350 customers.  

“We normally run the expo from 7am to 9am but, this year, the doors opened at 6:30am in line with our branch opening time, which we moved earlier a few years ago – and we still had customers turning up as early as 6am!” says Justin. “It actually worked really well, as people came through in a steady flow rather than all at once, and the early start let builders swing by for a cooked breakfast and a walk-through of the latest gear, then still make it to site on time.” 

The heart of the expo is all about discovery. Suppliers are asked to show up with something fresh – new innovations, recent changes in the industry, or product developments that spark interest. That directive is paying off. 

“Makita’s new Maktrack storage system was a huge drawcard,” said Justin, “and Symphony, one of our bathroom suppliers, put on a special morning-only deal that landed really well. Rondo’s steel stud and commercial offering also turned a lot of heads.” 

For some builders, PlaceMakers range was a real eye-opener. 

“One of our customers came for the first time and said, ‘What have I been doing for the last 10 years?’ because he just didn’t realise the range we’ve got,” said Justin. “People often think we’re just timber and Gib – but there’s so much more we can offer.” 

The proof is in the numbers. Repeat supplier support is strong, driven by real category growth and new opportunities sparked by the event. Nearly every customer left with something new to think about – and a clearer sense of just how much value is available locally. 

“It’s a win all-round, really,” Justin reflected. “Great for suppliers, great for our customers, and great for us as a merchant.” 

With energy like that, it’s no surprise they’re already looking ahead to next year – same early start, same local focus and even more new ideas to share.