In addition to local events that are run throughout the year across the county, each industry will stage its own schedule of events. Whilst it can seem like an extravagant use of time, and where travel is involved, costly; these events are hugely beneficial for getting a broader view of your industry outside of the county. This is often where the greatest learning and opportunities for development spring from.

We’ve listed below some of the most popular events, however if there are any events that we’ve missed do let us know and we’ll be pleased to add them to the list.

Meetings and Events
International Confex

runs over 3 days in March each year. Hosted at Excel in London, it is considered to be one of the leading exhibitions for the events industry. The show brings together venues, event suppliers, technology suppliers, and service providers and it caters for a broad range of event organisers from business events to sporting events to festivals. A conference programme runs across the two days offering the opportunity to attend a variety of talks and workshops. More information can be found on www.international-confex.com

The Meetings Show

is focussed on organisers of meetings, business events and incentives. It takes place over 3 days in June each year and is hosted at Excel in London. The show features exhibitors from the UK and around the world and includes meeting venues, luxury hotels, destinations, destination management companies, conference centres, other venues and technology suppliers. A conference programme runs across the two days offering the opportunity to attend a variety of talks and workshops. More information can be found at www.themeetingsshow.com.

Travel Industry
World Travel Market

is the leading annual event for the global travel industry and runs over 3 days at the beginning of November at Excel in London. It features different regions and countries from around the world as well as providing a showcase for companies who specialise in travel technology, luxury travel, coach travel and air travel, hotels and other venues. A seminar programme across two of the days hosts industry leaders speaking about everything from trends to sustainability to new innovations. More information can be found at www.wtm.com/london/en-gb.html

Hospitality
Hospitality Tech and Innovation Forum

is spread over the course of two mornings each September and is hosted at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Centre, London Heathrow. It is aimed at senior hospitality procurement professionals and enables them to meet with innovative and competitive suppliers to the industry for a day of business meetings & networking. More information can be found at www.htiforum.co.uk

International Hotel, Restaurant and Catering

is the UK’s leading business event for hospitality and foodservice professionals to test, taste and source the latest products available in the market. The event takes place over 3 days in March each year and is hosted at ExCeL London. As well as exhibitors, there are over 100 talks, tastings and demonstrations. More information can be found here www.hrc.co.uk

Hotel Facilities Management Expo

takes place at ExCel London over 2 days in September each year. It features the latest products, features and services that help to optimise the functionality of hotels. In addition to more than 500 exhibitors, the show runs 300+ seminars and workshops sharing invaluable advice, information and case studies for hotel owners. More information can be found at www.hfmexpo.co.uk

Independent Hotel Show

is dedicated to luxury and boutique hoteliers. The show runs over 2 days each October in Olympia, London and features designers, leading technology suppliers and a range of other product and service suppliers. More information can be found at www.independenthotelshow.co.uk

The Hospitality Expo

is a new expo that has been designed to take the place of the UKHA Shared Knowledge Day. It is scheduled to be an annual event at Ascot that will take place over 2 days in April each year and which will run side by side with the established CleanEx show which is dedicated to laundry and textile care. More information can be found at www.megevents.co.uk/hospitality-expo

Food and Drinks Industry
Imbibe Live

is the leading drinks industry event and runs for 2 days each July at Olympia in London. The event is aimed at anyone who sources, buys, or serves drinks in the licensed on or off trade, from sommeliers to distributors and from hotel managers to publicans and bartenders. Visitors are also able to listen to a range of seminars, experience rare and unique tastings, source new products and discover new trends defining the future of the industry. More information can be found here www.live.imbibe.com

Coffee Shop Innovation Expo

is Europe’s leading event for coffee shop owners and runs annually over 2 days in October at ExCel London. The show brings producers, owners and baristas together to take advantage of free consultations and product demonstrations. In addition to the exhibition there are more than 150 seminars covering every aspect of the industry. More information can be found here www.coffeeshopexpo.co.uk

International Drink Expo

takes place in October each year, over 2 days at ExCel London. The Expo is geared towards restaurants, pubs, bars, clubs, hotels, sports clubs and specialist drinks shops and it includes drinks suppliers from across the globe showcasing drinks that are pushing the boundaries of innovation. In addition, visitors can participate in a variety of seminars and enjoy hearing business experts discuss the industry’s pressing topics in the panel sessions. More information can be found here www.internationaldrinkexpo.co.uk

Restaurant and Bar Tech Live

is the leading event for technology providers to the restaurant and bar industry. More than 300 of the UK’s top suppliers’ exhibit here and valuable industry insight is available in the seminars and keynote sessions. The event takes place over 2 days in October at ExCel London. More information can be found here www.restauranttechlive.co.uk

Restaurant and Takeaway Innovation Expo

takes place over 3 days each October in ExCel London. It is a one stop shop for food business owners looking to meet and connect with cutting-edge suppliers, showcasing their products, services and systems that are pushing the boundaries of innovation. The show also features panel sessions, seminars and networking opportunities. More information can be found here www.takeawayexpo.co.uk

Street Food Live

takes place over 2 days each October in ExCel London. It is geared towards street food and catering professionals and boasts more than 500 of Europe’s top suppliers under one roof. Visitors can benefit from free consultations and demonstrations of solutions to help mobile catering businesses thrive. The education and inspiration hub is home to hundreds of seminars and keynote sessions. More information can be found here www.streetfoodlive.co.uk

Caffé Culture Show

takes place over 2 days at the Business Design Centre in London each September. Tailored for café and coffee bar owners and boasts more than 150 exhibitors and a range of seminars. More information can be found here: www.caffecultureshow.com

Restaurant Show

takes place each September over 3 days at Olympia in London. The show brings together owners and operators of restaurants, casual dining venues, hotels, pubs, bars and other hospitality establishments across the UK. The exhibition features a range of suppliers and includes the Catering Equipment Expo. More information can be found here: www.therestaurantshow.co.uk

Transport
Euro Bus Expo

is a leading international trade fair for the bus and coach industry and is hosted annually over 3 days in October at the NEC in Birmingham. Supported by show partner, Confederation of Passenger Transport UK, the free-to-attend show connects annually with 9,000 key industry buyers and decision makers with over 270 leading exhibitors. Aimed at bus and coach operators as well as industry suppliers, the show offers everything from the latest vehicles, accessories and workshop equipment, to IT solutions, legislation updates, and essential business services for the international market. There are also seminars and keynotes from leading industry figures sharing insights and in-depth knowledge on the latest hot topics. More information can be found here www.eurobusxpo.com

Coach and Bus UK

is aimed at UK bus and coach operators and runs over 2 days in October each year, at the NEC in Birmingham. The show features all the leading manufacturers, product and service providers and showcases everything needed to operate a fleet of passenger vehicles including;  the latest buses, coaches, mini and midi vehicles, workshop equipment, parts and accessories, alternative power solutions, engineering services, the latest in technology, accessible and safety solutions, ticketing, financial advice, training and development providers – and more. More information can be found here www.coachandbusuk.co.uk

Holiday Parks

is an annual event held over 2 days in November, at the NEC in Birmingham. The show is designed to provide advice, inspiration and industry knowledge to holiday park and resort owners and managers. It boasts more than a thousand exhibitors annually and a variety of seminars sharing information about the latest trends in the industry. In 2022 the show was partnered with The Family Attraction Expo, the Leisure F&B Expo and the Farm Business Innovation Show. More information can be found here www.holidayparkshow.co.uk

Visitor Attractions
The Family Attraction Expo

is an annual event held over 2 days in November, at the NEC in Birmingham. The event is one of Europe’s largest exhibitions for companies from all areas of the family attraction industry. As well featuring a range of exhibitors showcasing their products and services, the expo includes a selection of keynote speakers, running events and seminars on all the latest trends in the industry. More information can be found here www.familyattractionexpo.co.uk