The North Coast Petroleum Casino Truck Show has taken out the Outstanding Visitor Experience category at the 2026 NSW Business Awards in Sydney.
Richmond Valley Council General Manager Vaughan Macdonald and Mayor Robert Mustow accepted the award, which recognises exceptional visitor experiences that showcase a region, strengthen its reputation, and contribute to the local economy.
The win follows another record-breaking year for the Truck Show, with around 45,000 people attending the two-day celebration in August.
Mr Macdonald said the achievement reflected the work undertaken since the event was revitalised following COVID to build a nationally recognised visitor experience.
‘Since bringing the Truck Show back after COVID, we have worked hard to make it bigger and better each year, while keeping the trucking industry at the heart of the event,’ Mr Macdonald said.
‘We have continued to introduce new attractions, entertainment, and opportunities for people to connect with the industry, while retaining the community atmosphere which makes Casino such a special place to host this event.’
Dedicated volunteers
Casino Truck Show Volunteer Team Lead Darren Goodwin said the event’s success was built on the dedication of the volunteer committee and the strong relationships it had developed with truck drivers, sponsors, and the wider community.
‘Many drivers now regard Casino as the show they want to attend each year, not just because of the event itself, but because of the welcome they receive,’ Mr Goodwin said.
‘Our volunteers put an enormous amount of time and effort into making the Truck Show happen, but it is the personal connections they have built with the trucking community which make this event so special.
‘We have a committee of people who genuinely love the trucking industry and want to put on the best possible show. It is something we can all be very proud of.’
The 2026 event attracted 550 trucks, with registrations reaching capacity within an hour, while independent economic analysis recorded $8.319 million in spending across the event period, an increase of 18.8 per cent on the previous year.
Economic driver
Mr Macdonald said the economic benefits extended well beyond the Casino CBD, supporting accommodation providers, hospitality businesses, retailers and tourism operators throughout the region.
‘This is much more than a truck show. It is a major economic driver which brings millions of dollars into our communities and introduces thousands of visitors to everything the Richmond Valley and Northern Rivers have to offer,’ he said.
‘Council is extremely proud of the role we play in delivering and developing the event, but its success would not be possible without our dedicated volunteer committee, which remains the heart of the Truck Show.
‘We are also enormously grateful to our sponsors, whose ongoing support allows us to keep improving the experience, and particularly the truck drivers and operators who bring their magnificent rigs to Casino each year. They are the stars of the show and the reason it has become such a vibrant celebration.’
Mr Macdonald said the State recognition strengthened Council’s case for further government investment to support the event’s continued growth.
‘We have demonstrated the considerable economic and tourism benefits this event delivers, and we will continue advocating to the NSW government for greater funding support to help us enhance the visitor experience and build on its success,’ he said.
‘We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back in 2027 and making the next event even better.’
The Casino Truck Show is also a finalist in the Festivals and Events category at the 2026 NSW Tourism Awards, with the winners to be announced later in November.
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