As we enter 2019, I will begin by saying I am incredibly excited about the year ahead, and I hope for it to be the biggest and most successful yet for MTA Queensland and its members.

I was honored to receive the position of MTA Queensland Chairman in November 2018 at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) after serving as the MTA Queensland Secretary from 2010 to 2018 in addition to holding the position of Chair of the Queensland Motorcycle Division since 2005.

In the November meeting, we also welcomed James Robertson as Secretary (in addition to his role as Central Queensland Representative) and Mark Billingsley as the North Queensland Representative. I welcome and look forward to working with the new MTA Queensland directors as well as new executive committee members who have already begun to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to the table.

2019 marks a major milestone for MTA Queensland with the business operating as Queensland’s peak automotive industry body for 90 years. I feel privileged to represent the association during this major milestone, and through this period of technological advancement and opportunity.

Senior management is currently in the review stage of the 2019-2021 Strategic Plan which will see the association go into an exciting new direction. The 2019-2021 Strategic Plan will see some changes to existing strategies and new strategies added with a deliberate effort to improve our service and business excellence, engage with members as well as an added focus on corporate social responsibility.

As a result, the vision statement has been slightly modified to include ‘engaged’ as this has been our biggest challenge with members over the past three years.

Our statement will now read: ‘OUR VISION IS TO BE QUEENSLAND’S MOST TRUSTED, INFLUENTIAL AND ENGAGED INDUSTRY PEAK BODY.’

2019 will also see the biggest Carmageddon event yet. I am thrilled to be opening MTA Queensland’s Carmageddon ‘New World Mobility’ on Thursday 21 March 2019 in the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence, MTA Queensland, Eight Mile Plains.

I encourage members to attend Carmageddon which is the third event of its kind held in two years. The one-day automotive innovation symposium is a high-profile event with senior government, academia, and automotive innovators in attendance. Topics such as smart cities and the future of mobility, renewable fuel technologies and blockchain will be covered as well as an impressive vehicle showcase featuring the latest hydrogen and electric vehicles from the likes of Tesla, Hyundai, Jaguar and Renault. Tickets are free and can be obtained here.

Carmageddon ‘New World Mobility’ works in with and supports MTAiQ and its purpose. MTAiQ is the first automotive specific innovation hub in Australia and the third business tier of MTA Queensland. MTAiQ represents and works in the interest of members to offer solutions and advice in overcoming and adapting to technological disruptions seen within the motor trades. For members, MTAiQ is a pillar of support and the MTAiQ team works closely with clients to bring opportunity and choice to members aimed to benefit their business. I encourage members to consider and review opportunities that arise through MTAiQ.

The MTA Queensland board will meet for the first time for 2019 in late February. Members are encouraged to join divisional committee members to add a voice and discuss real-world industry issues affecting their sector. 2019 meeting dates can be viewed in for each division here.