With borders open and capacity restrictions gone, Vertical Events expects the 2023 edition of its esteemed RIU Explorers Conference in Fremantle to be its biggest and best yet.

That’s saying something given the esteemed 21-year history of RIU Explorers, but the combination of intense investor interest in resources companies and a flood of eager attendees well and truly back it up.

“This is the largest demand that Vertical Events has ever received for a conference, and the event will be as action-packed as it could possibly be,” Vertical Events business development manager Jaxon Crabb told Stockhead.

“During the three day conference there will be more than 90 presentations, 130 exhibitor stands, and we have more than 100 ASX-listed resources companies on an ever-growing waiting list.

“The appetite for investment in resources and the status of RIU Explorers as a must-attend event has resulted in our office being as busy as ever in the lead up to the event.”

Fanning the flames of enthusiasm is the fact that this year’s three-day conference is open to investors from all over Australia and abroad – a missing factor in the past two iterations of RIU Explorers because of WA’s hard border closures.

“During both of the last two years we’ve have restrictions which limited the ability for people from outside of Western Australia to attend the event,” Crabb said.

“Even then, we’ve recorded record crowds of 1500 and 1600 registered delegates in 2021 and ‘22 respectively.

“The fact we’ve got open borders, we’ve got no Covid restrictions, and in an extremely strong environment for resources investment, we’re looking like we’re on track to set a new record of registered delegates.

“That would be an outstanding result, providing a great environment for lots of conversation, engagement, networking and business over the three days.”

Time is ripe for resources

Running February 14-16 at Freo’s iconic Esplanade Hotel, RIU Explorers will offer attendees the opportunity to get up close and personal with resources companies of all sizes.

Crabb said the diversity of companies on show was a highlight each year, with many larger attendees having been involved with the conference from their early days.

“Companies like De Grey Mining, Mincor, Ramelius Resources, Chalice Mining, and IGO are all regulars at the RIU Explorers Conference and many have been participating at this event back when they were at their very early stage of exploring their projects.

“It is also very important to us to have a diversified program where investors can hear from a range of companies at all different stages.”

“In the same session you could hear from a company like Centaurus Metals on its projects in Brazil, and then Widgie Nickel on their projects in the eastern goldfields.

Attendees will also hear from a range of industry experts, offering in-depth insight into a metals market which some believe could enter a super cycle as the world transitions to a greener future.

Gold sponsor Canaccord Genuity’s head of mining research Reg Spencer will offer a market update on the first morning of the event, with presentations from Hamilton Locke’s Michael Boyce, ABC Refinery’s Nicholas Frappell, ANZ Bank’s Daniel Hynes, S&P Global Market Intelligence’s Jarra Smith, CSA Global’s Dr Andrew Scogings, and Stephen Wray from Noah’s Rule also planned over the three days.

Crabb said he expected these presentations to offer valuable insight into some of the overarching price trends being seen broadly in the early part of 2023.

“As we sit here in January, it is great to see both strong copper and gold prices,” he said.

“It sets up for the perfect environment for a conference, because you typically don’t see those two commodities prices strong together at one time.”

Battery metals were the strong theme to emerge in 2022 and are expected to be a hot topic at RIU Explorers.

“If you look at the 85 ASX-listed resources companies presenting over the three days, I’m pretty sure we’ve got most commodities associated with hard rock resources exploration covered,” Crabb said.

“There’s really something for all investors at the RIU Explorers Conference this year.”

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Vertical Events, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

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