APPEX 2027 Exhibition Stand Builders
APPEX 2027, the Australian packaging and processing machinery exhibition, runs from 16 to 19 March 2027 at MCEC in Melbourne. It is held only every three years and fills all 20 bays of MCEC, about 30,000m² of floor. Brij & Co builds stands for machinery and packaging companies that need to show equipment running, with layouts planned around the machine rather than squeezed in after it.
About APPEX
APPEX is owned by the Australian Packaging and Processing Machinery Association (APPMA) and run by Exhibitions & Trade Fairs. The floor is organised into zones for materials and packaging, packaging machinery, IT and services, and processing and packaging machinery.
Because the show only comes around every three years, exhibitors tend to save launches for it and bring their biggest equipment. That makes the stand a bigger investment, and a bigger chance to be seen next to competitors. Buyers come from food, beverage, pharmaceutical and consumer goods manufacturing.
Planning a stand around working machines
Machine first, stand second. We start with the footprint, height, weight, power and air requirements of each machine, and how it arrives: forklift, crane or rigging. The stand walls and flooring are designed to go in after the machine is placed, not before.
Safe viewing. Running equipment needs clear guarding and a viewing line where visitors can watch the full cycle. A raised platform or a step-up viewing area lets people see over the crowd at the infeed and outfeed.
Hide the services. Compressors, cabling and product supply are kept in a back-of-house area behind the display. A raised floor can carry cables to island machines without trip hazards.
Space to talk specs. Machinery deals take time. A meeting room or semi-enclosed lounge lets your engineers walk a buyer through drawings and ROI figures away from the noise.
Using one stand across several shows
A modular core
Many APPEX exhibitors also show at Australian Manufacturing Week and Fine Food Australia. A modular stand built for APPEX can be cut down for smaller spaces at those shows.
Storage between shows
Reusable frames, joinery and lighting can be stored and refreshed with new graphics, so you are not paying for a full build each time.
APPEX at MCEC: the biggest packaging expo in Melbourne
APPEX is the largest packaging and processing machinery expo in Australia and takes over the whole of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. With every bay in use, move-in is busy: forklifts, cranes and machinery deliveries all compete for dock time. A stand that arrives pre-assembled and labelled, with an install sequence agreed in advance, goes in faster and with less risk.
We support APPEX builds from our Melbourne production facility, and coordinate with your machinery logistics provider so stand walls and flooring go in around the machines rather than before them.
APPEX stand costs
Typical stand ranges from our exhibition stand cost guide. Machinery freight and rigging are separate.
| Stand | Typical range | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Custom 3m x 6m | $10,000 to $25,000 | Materials and consumables suppliers |
| Island, 6m x 6m | From about $25,000 | One or two machines with a meeting area |
| Island, 9m x 9m and up | $80,000 plus | Full lines, raised floors and meeting rooms |
| Double-decker | From $45,000 to $60,000 for 6m x 6m | Meeting space upstairs, machines below |
Trade show stand ideas for packaging machinery
Run real product
A machine filling, sealing or labelling your client's type of product is more convincing than one running empty. Plan product supply and waste removal into the stand.
Speed and output on screen
A screen showing units per minute, changeover time and uptime turns a running machine into a sales argument.
Samples to take away
Packaging buyers like to handle finished packs. A sample wall or take-away pack connects the machine to the result.
Overhead branding
In a full hall, a hanging sign is how visitors find you from across the floor. Rigging is ordered through the event, so design it early.
Machinery and industrial stands we have built
Google Reviews
Rated 5.0 from 8 Google reviews
I could not recommend Brij and Co enough! We've worked with a few stand builders over the years, but Neil and the team are the best at what they do.
The stand was beautifully executed, effective, and delivered at a very reasonable price.
They perfectly brought our vision for the stand to life. Since upgrading from more basic setups, we’ve been noticeably busier at shows, with customers often lining up around the stand to engage with our products. As a start-up surrounded by much larger, more established brands, that kind of impact is incredibly valuable.
The team is also warm, friendly, and super helpful during the stressful bump-in process, which is also a huge plus.
We had such a great experience working with Brij & CO for our stand at the Sydney Hair Festival. The booth was beautifully executed, and the quality and attention to detail really stood out. Everyone loved it!!
Neil was always very responsive and easy to deal with, and Anna was incredibly supportive and helpful throughout the process. They also created oversized props for us, which turned out amazing and made a big impact at the event.
Looking forward to next year's expo!
Brij&Co have built our (Tilley Soaps) Gift Fair stands for several years now and always do a fantastic job. Professional, reliable, and great attention to detail. Thanks to Neil and the team, we highly recommended.
We had such a beautiful experience with Brij & Co. They could bring my vision to life. Organising those type of events can be stressful but they made the experience very pleasant and easy. I will definitely be using their services again BKT (Beauty Keeps Transforming) in our next hair and beauty expo. Thank you so much Anna and Neil.
Brijnco is hands down the best fair stand manufacturer we've worked with. We were impressed by their innovative designs and commitment to delivering exactly what we needed for our event. The team at Brijnco is not only creative but also highly responsive. They listened to all our requirements and ensured everything was perfect. If you need a stand that stands out, Brijnco is your go-to choice!
Exhibiting at APPEX 2027?
Send us your stand number and the machines you plan to show. We reply within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is APPEX 2027?
APPEX 2027 runs from 16 to 19 March 2027 at MCEC, Melbourne.
How often is APPEX held?
Every three years. It is owned by APPMA and run by Exhibitions & Trade Fairs.
Can you build around running machinery?
Yes. We design the stand around each machine's footprint, power, air and guarding needs, and plan the build sequence so equipment is placed before walls and flooring go in.
How early should I plan an APPEX stand?
Brief us at least 12 weeks out, and earlier if the stand has a raised floor, a second level or heavy equipment that needs rigging.
Is APPEX the biggest packaging expo in Melbourne?
Yes. APPEX fills all 20 bays of MCEC, about 30,000 square metres, and is held every three years.
How much does an APPEX stand cost?
For the stand itself, a custom 3m x 6m usually costs $10,000 to $25,000 and a 6m x 6m island starts from about $25,000. Machinery freight and rigging are extra.