With just 50 days to go, Norco Primex Field Days 2026 is set to usher in a new era for regional events, as the countdown builds toward its first year at the Lismore Showgrounds.
Running from May 21 to 23, the 2026 event will be the first Primex held in Lismore following last year’s announcement of the relocation from the event’s long standing home of Casino, and organisers say the shift is already generating strong momentum across the region.
Under the theme “Growing The Future”, this year’s event is shaping as one of the most ambitious in Primex’s 41-year history, with expanded programming, new initiatives and a stronger focus on community connection.
Primex Director Bruce Wright said the 2026 event represents a significant evolution for the long-running field days.
“Norco Primex 2026 is about bringing our industries and communities together in a way that reflects where we are heading, not just where we’ve been,” Wright said.
“The expanded programs, new initiatives and stronger community focus are creating opportunities for everyone to be part of this next new and exciting chapter.”
A major addition for 2026 will be a network of Industry Hubs, designed to connect farmers, businesses, educators, government and community organisations across key sectors including AgTech and Innovation, Business and Industry, Health and Wellbeing, Education and Careers, and Regional Living.
The hubs are expected to create new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing, reflecting the increasingly diverse and interconnected nature of regional economies.
In another first, Primex will extend its Friday program into the evening, transforming the traditional field day format into a broader community event and opening the gates to a wider audience.
Organisers say the move is about making Primex more inclusive and accessible, encouraging participation not just from the agricultural sector but from the wider Northern Rivers and New England communities.
The new home at the Lismore Showgrounds has undergone significant upgrades, supported by a $4.7 million investment to improve infrastructure, access and parking, ensuring a smoother experience for exhibitors and visitors alike.
That investment is expected to underpin the event’s growth over the next decade, with Primex targeting more than 400 exhibitors, 1,400 suppliers and up to 30,000 attendees in 2026.
Beyond the numbers, the event is also expected to deliver a significant economic boost to the region, injecting more than $4.5 million into the local economy during the three-day showcase.
The decision to relocate to Lismore, announced last year, was framed as a strategic move to support the city’s recovery while positioning Primex for future growth.
“This isn’t just about changing locations, this is about backing a community that’s backing us,” Wright said at the time.
Lismore’s central location, accommodation capacity and transport links were key factors, particularly given that more than 80 per cent of Primex attendees travel over 50 kilometres to attend.
While the event looks firmly to the future, organisers have also acknowledged the strong foundation built over four decades in Casino, crediting the volunteers, businesses and community groups who helped shape Primex into one of Australia’s leading coastal agricultural events.
With exhibitor demand strong and anticipation building, the 50-day countdown marks the beginning of what organisers hope will be a defining year for Primex and for Lismore.
As Wright said, “We’re backing Lismore because Lismore is backing the future of regional agriculture.”
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