Touchpoint has proudly partnered with the Hire and Rental Industry Association (HRIA) since 2016. What began as a small engagement focused on onsite badge printing has grown into a long-standing partnership delivering comprehensive registration and event technology services. Over the years, we have developed a strong understanding of HRIA’s flagship event and the unique needs of the hire and rental industry, allowing us to provide tailored solutions and exceptional support. 

As the peak body representing Australia’s hire and rental sector, HRIA brings together industry professionals through its conferences and exhibitions. Touchpoint plays a key role in supporting these events by delivering seamless registration experiences that enhance attendee engagement and streamline event operations for organisers, exhibitors, and delegates alike.

Event Overview

Planning for HIRE26 began well before delegates arrived onsite, with Touchpoint working closely with HRIA from July 2025 to develop the event’s exhibitor booking process and registration forms ahead of delegate registration opening in January 2026. This early engagement enabled Touchpoint to provide strategic input throughout the planning phase while laying the foundations for a well coordinated onsite experience. 

To support attendees who had not pre-registered, Touchpoint also implemented a streamlined solution for new registrations onsite. Attendees could simply scan a QR code to access a mobile friendly registration form, complete their details within minutes, and receive an instant confirmation. This enabled newly registered attendees to proceed directly to the self check in kiosks for immediate name badge collection, reducing queues and ensuring a smooth arrival experience. 

For HIRE26, Touchpoint delivered a comprehensive suite of registration and attendee technology services. This included delegate registration configuration and management, exhibitor registration and portal management, event mobile app development, exhibitor passport configuration, custom name badge production, and branded lanyards. Touchpoint also provided the onsite technology and operational expertise required to manage attendee arrivals and engagement across all three days of the event. 

The onsite solution featured six self check-in kiosks, two enquiry stations, a dedicated satchel collection station, and access control scanning across all conference sessions, social functions, and exhibition entry points. Supported by experienced Touchpoint team members, the solution enabled efficient attendee processing, real time attendance tracking, and a professional experience for delegates, exhibitors, and organisers throughout the event.

The Challenge

HIRE26 presented a unique logistical challenge, with the event spread across multiple venues within Sydney Olympic Park, including Accor Stadium, The Dome, and various networking and social function locations. Simultaneous activities required registration, attendance tracking, and session scanning to be managed across several locations at once, often during peak delegate arrival periods.

Our Approach

Touchpoint implemented a flexible “divide and conquer” staffing model, deploying experienced team members across all event locations. With every staff member trained to independently manage registration, scanning, troubleshooting, and attendee support, the team was able to maintain consistent service levels while remaining responsive to changing event requirements. 

The Result

The approach ensured reliable registration and attendance tracking across the entire event footprint, while capturing valuable delegate engagement data. The team’s ability to operate independently also allowed for immediate implementation of operational changes, including last-minute access control adjustments, without disruption to delegates or organisers. The resulting attendance and engagement insights will support planning and operational decision-making for HIRE27.  

Technology Highlight

Touchpoint’s onsite scanning technology played a key role in the successful delivery of HIRE26. With real-time attendance tracking and access control capabilities, the scanners eliminated the need for printed attendee lists, providing a more efficient, accurate, and environmentally friendly solution. Their portable design also allowed the team to easily deploy scanners across multiple venues and event locations throughout Sydney Olympic Park. 

Each scanner comes preloaded with an Access Control application, enabling instant validation of delegate access permissions. In the lead-up to the event, Touchpoint worked closely with the HRIA team to define access requirements and configure sessions within the EventsAir agenda accordingly. This proactive setup ensured a smooth onsite experience while providing the flexibility to make changes quickly should requirements evolve during the event. 

The ability to update access permissions and session configurations in real time proved invaluable, allowing the team to respond immediately to operational changes and maintain smooth event flow without disrupting delegates or organisers. 

Team Insight

The HRIA team has been one of Touchpoint’s most valued and long-standing partners, making HIRE a particularly rewarding event for our team to be involved in. Having worked together for many years, it has been incredible to watch the event grow and evolve into one of the industry’s premier gatherings. The strong relationship between our teams, built on trust and collaboration, makes every HIRE event a pleasure to deliver. 

What makes HIRE especially rewarding is seeing an entire year’s worth of planning and preparation come together onsite. After months of collaboration behind the scenes, there is a real sense of pride when delegates arrive, the exhibition floor comes to life, and every element of the event runs successfully. Being part of that journey year after year is something our team genuinely values, and it is one of the reasons HIRE remains a standout event in our calendar.