At Leapfrog Marketing we help businesses grow and want to support you to make the most of the opportunities ahead. To help, we have put together a guide on why trade shows and exhibitions can make a difference. This article also provides a comprehensive listing of the major UK and central European B2B trade events between 2024 and 2025. It covers events for sectors in materials handling, logistics, packaging, industrial manufacturing and engineering, medical, and wood processing.
(Covering materials handling, logistics, packaging, industrial manufacturing and engineering, medical, and wood processing sectors)
11 Nov 2024
East Midlands Expo 2024 is an exhibition for Property, Construction, Finance & Business sectors.
17-18 Sep 2024
OFFSITE EXPO 2024 unites individuals propelling transformation within the construction industry. Over the course of two days, the occasion will serve as a platform for premier offsite manufacturers and suppliers from the UK and around the world. It will exhibit a wide array of panel-based, volumetric modular solutions, pods, and pre-fabricated MEP solutions, along with the most recent advancements in Digital and BIM technology.
21 May 2024 – 24 May 2024
The International Engineering Fair is an engineering exhibition in the International Exhibition Center Agrokomplex in Nitra (Slovakia). It consists of five sub exhibitions: Eurowelding (welding technology), Cast-Ex (foundry technology), Chemplast (plastics engineering and chemistry), EMA (electrotechnics and automation technologies) and Stavmech (building technology). Numerous national and international exhibitors present the latest machinery, tools, equipment and technologies, allowing insights into the innovations and trends of the industry.
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Maintec is the longest standing exhibition dedicated to the maintenance, reliability and asset management industry. Throughout its 40 year history, the event has continued to meet the needs of the maintenance engineer and provides an opportunity to source the very latest technology available on the market.
Visitors include thousands of professionals from the buildings, supply chain and industrial maintenance sectors. Industries represented cover a wide spectrum and include engineering, manufacturing, automotive, utilities, oil and gas, food and drink, energy ports and marine, and rail.
In recent times, Maintec has become part of a whole week of manufacturing and engineering exhibitions and seminars, and is now co-located with the following shows (see below) so there are big opportunities for networking and lead generation for everyone involved in the wider sector.
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Plantworx is the UK’s largest live working construction event and a huge opportunity for worldwide construction equipment manufacturers to introduce the latest plant technology to the UK construction industry. The event typically attracts around 15,000 visitors, from a variety of construction sectors such as plant and tool hire, civil engineering, groundworks, contractors, utilities, highways, demolition and many more.
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The Design & Engineering Expo is specifically created for professionals in the fields of design and engineering across various levels of the supply chain. It caters to those seeking cost reduction, as well as the enhancement and efficiency of future strategic processes.
8 – 11 Oct 2024
The International Engineering Fair is the most important industrial expo in Central Europe, with annual participation of more than 1,660 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors. More than 50% of exhibitors and 10% of visitors come from abroad. Most visitors are professionals, nearly eighty per cent of visitors influence investment decisions, and one-third of them are top executives.
The main theme of MSV is Industry 4.0 and Digital Factory, i.e. production digitization, one of the main directions of the innovation process. Additional highlighted topics include circular economy – the use of material resources. It is a trend that is one of the priority areas for sustainable development, and the adaptation of industry and trade will be heading in this particular direction. Attention will also be paid to 3D printing, which is currently experiencing a significant increase
MSV has traditionally received high media attention, with approximately 300 journalists accredited. The fair includes a top supporting programme of expert conferences, seminars and workshops on the latest technical, business and economic topics.
30-31 Oct 2024
The UK’s leading annual advanced manufacturing and supply chain event. Advanced Engineering International showcases engineering and manufacturing innovation from across the entire supply chain. It is a wide-ranging trade fair for the entire OEM, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain sectors with a focus on innovation, future-proofing and technologies for supply chain continuity. Top brands showcase the technology of the future.
The event brings together +8,000 engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain professionals from across the UK and beyond. Viewing Advanced Engineering as their one-stop-shop for all things related to engineering and manufacturing, their main objective is to source new technologies, discover the latest innovation and seek external expertise for their projects.
Visitors can benefit from the show’s hugely successful AE Connect portal – an online business matchmaking system that allows visitors and exhibitors to search attendees, connect and book meetings. Estimates following the 2019 edition suggest that approximately £320K worth of deals were secured through AE Connect.
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MACH 2026 is organised by the Manufacturing Technologies Association, the UK’s leading trade body for manufacturing and engineering companies. It is the UK’s premier event to showcase engineering based manufacturing technologies.
At Intertool a variety of exhibitors present a wide range of innovations, products, solutions and technologies in the field of manufacturing technology. Innovative tools, precision tools and new strategies for automated manufacturing are the focus of the fair. Intertool is also regarded as an important industry gathering, and thus serves as an ideal platform for technical discussions and for maintaining international business contacts. Intertool is a part of Vienna-tec. Vienna-tec is considered one of the most important international industrial trade fairs in Austria and throughout Europe.
5-6 June 2024
Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK
Sectors: Medical and healthcare supply chain
Med-Tech Innovation Expo is the UK and Ireland’s leading event for medical device supply chain intelligence. It brings together designers, engineers, innovators and manufacturers from across the medical and healthcare sectors to explore new ideas, understand emerging technologies, and source products and services from more than 150 companies representing the complete medical device and manufacturing supply chain.
About 4,000 designers, engineers, innovators and manufacturers from across the medical and healthcare sector attend the event. Thought leaders across two conference stages discuss the hottest topics in med-tech, including regulation, market access, start-ups and more.
Find out more about Med-Tech Innovation Expo
11-13 June 2024
Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK
Sectors: Freight, transport, logistics and supply chain
Multimodal Birmingham 2024 celebrates sixteen years of putting shippers, retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, importers and exporters in front of exhibitors who offer the latest logistics and supply chain solutions. Multimodal is firmly established as the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe’s premier freight transport, logistics and supply chain management event.
The exhibition represents every logistics sector, including sea, road, rail, air and inland waterways, under one roof, and key verticals, including manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, chemical, automotive, electronics, FMCG, food & drink, fashion, pharmaceuticals, construction, aerospace, energy, real estate, recycling, paper/print and perishables and more. In 2022 new initiatives at Multimodal include:
Find out more about Multimodal here
When: 13-15 August 2024
Where: La Rural, Buenos Aires
Sectors: Logistics, information flow, supply chain
Expo Logisti-k 2024 is the 15th international exhibition of equipment, technology and solutions for logistics, information flow and supply chain. It’s an event that’s designed to bring people together with solutions for everything, from buying raw materials, to delivering the finished product to the customer. This includes transportation, production, packaging, storage, movement, coding and distribution.
Find out more about Expo Logisti-k here
When: 25-26 March 2025
Where: NEC Birmingham, Hall 6, Birmingham, UK
Sectors: Logistics
A showcase of the latest and best in intralogistics, this exhibition is for companies covering the full range of logistics activities including, warehousing, automation, packaging and software. Here you’ll find more than 150 exhibitors, 1,400 visitors, 20 conference sessions on innovation and live demonstrations. IntraLogisteX will be packed with everything you need to improve productivity, safety, maximise space and reduce costs.
IntraLogisteX is for logistics professionals who are looking for solutions to their current and future challenges, from the latest materials handling technologies to full-scale warehouse automation options. This event is designed for end-user practitioners, logistics professionals such as warehouse managers, heads of distribution, IT directors and lead project managers
Discover more about IntraLogisteX here
When: 9-11 September 2025
Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK
Sectors: Supply chain and logistics
IMHX is the destination for the UK’s supply chain and logistics community. Qualified buyers come to IMHX specifically looking to engage directly with suppliers, solution providers and supply chain experts.
Exhibitors come from a diverse range of sectors including manufacturers, 3PL/4PLs, distribution and transport networks, e-commerce and retail, FMCG, construction and more.
More than 90% of IMHX attendees are influential in the procurement process, and over 40% are responsible for an annual expenditure on materials handling and logistics services of over £1 million.
According to the event organisers on average, exhibitors from the last edition estimated that participating in IMHX will generate their business £249,560 worth of sales.
19-22 June 2024
Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK
19-22 May 2024
Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK
Sectors: Furniture manufacturing and joinery
Materials & Finishes Show, formerly W Exhibition & Elements, is the UK’s trade show for the furniture manufacturing and joinery industries.
The W Exhibition is the UK’s number one event for the furniture manufacturing and joinery industry, with over 40 years of heritage. The biannual event will return to the NEC in a new and reinvigorated format in September 2023. The show brings together some of the world’s leading suppliers of woodworking machinery, materials, and tooling.
Learn more about the W Exhibition
24-26 Sep 2024
Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK
Sectors: Processing and packaging machinery
PPMA Show is the largest processing and packaging machinery exhibition in the UK.
Showcasing the very latest in processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision systems, coupled with the latest innovations in materials, containers and packaging design.
It covers the full spectrum of the industry; including food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, household products and toiletries, building materials and supplies, pet care, micro-brewery and distilleries, FMCG, as well as contract packers and more.
Visitors have the chance to network, source new ideas and solutions, and meet with potential new suppliers, influencers and technical experts alike. The show invites visitors to network, source new ideas and solutions and meet potential new suppliers, influencers and technical experts. It’s expected to attract around 8,000 visitors, more than 2,500 brands and over 400 exhibitors.
Find out more about PPMA Total Show 2024 here
15-17 November 2024
Where: Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate
Sectors: Commercial Woodworking Machinery
Now in its 28th year The North of England Woodworking & Power Tool Trade Show affectionately known as the Harrogate Woodworking Show, has more than 40 top demonstrators each day, over 80 companies exhibiting on trade stands and is the leading woodworking show of the year.
You can also expect to see five ‘mini’ theatres, hand tool workshops, a woodworker’s clinic and a 3 x 1.5m panel of beautifully crafted carvings, incorporating everything from automata to sound.
Find out more about the North of England Woodworking & Power Tool Trade Show 2023 here
Learn more about the best woodworking trade shows and conventions from around the world here
When: 12-13 February 2025
Where: Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry, UK
Sectors: Tools, plant and equipment hire
The national event for tools, plant and equipment hire
The Executive Hire Show is the unmissable national exhibition for the tools, equipment and plant hire industry. This Show brings the industry together and is the annual event where Passionate Hirers Meet Innovative Suppliers.
The Show is a trade-only event open to hire executives throughout the UK and Ireland, and it has also attracted hire industry visitors from Europe and beyond. Senior executives from the procurement and purchasing departments of the national hire operations attend the Show, along with large numbers of independently-owned entrepreneurial hire outlets.
Who should exhibit?
If you are a manufacturer, supplier, dealer or importer of tools, equipment and plant and are looking to target the hire industry, there is no better opportunity to promote your products and services to this vitally important market.
Read more about the Executive Hire Show here
11-12 Sep 2024
Where: ExCeL London, UK
Sectors: Packaging
Find out more about London Packaging Week here
When: 12-13 Feb 2025
Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK
Sectors: Packaging including design
Packaging Innovations & Empack is a premier UK event for packaging professionals. It covers all aspects of the packing supply chain from primary packaging, secondary packaging, contract packing and fulfilment, labelling and printing and packing and processing technology.
Packaging Innovations is the largest annual event connecting packaging specifiers and buyers with the suppliers, new materials and formats and the expert knowledge to create the future of their brand’s packaging.
Empack provides a unique platform for directors of packing and filling operations to solve their manufacturing challenges and understand the key trends and technologies that will define their future investments.
Find out more about Packaging Innovations/EMPACK here
When: 25-26 March 2025
Where: Coventry Building Society Arena
Sectors: Retail, manufacturing, automotive, distribution, warehousing and pharmaceutical
Robotics and Automation is a trade show for professionals from a variety of sectors who are looking to discover how they can optimise their operations by utilising the latest robotics, automation and future technologies.
Visitors are primarily from retail, manufacturing, automotive, distribution, warehousing and pharmaceutical with a mix of senior level decision makers with the job titles; Engineer, Director, MD / Owner, Operations, Heads of Supply Chain, Head of Logistics, Manager, Technical Managers.
Learn more about Robotics and Automation
When: 17-19 March 2025
Where: ExCel Arena, London, UK
Sectors: Food and drink retail, food service, wholesale
IFE, International Food & Drink Event is the largest and most successful product sourcing platform for senior buyers from across the retail, wholesale, distribution, import & export, and food service sectors; all of whom are looking to meet suppliers face-to-face, sample the latest products and place orders with suppliers.
IFE is co-located with IFE Manufacturing, Hotel, Restaurant & Catering, The Pub Show and the London Produce Show.
When: 5-6 June 2024
Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK
Sectors: Engineering
The biennial Drives and Controls show is an essential source of information on the latest technology and engineering developments. The show covers critical areas such as energy efficiency, machine safety, drives, motion control, robotics and automation. The show brings together key suppliers of state-of-the-art equipment representing the multi-tasking culture of today’s design engineer.
Discover more about Drives & Controls 2002 here
When: 8-10 October 2024
Where: Messe, Stuttgart, Germany
Sectors: Machine vision technology
Vision is the world’s leading trade exhibition for machine vision technology. Here businesses of all sizes will exhibit their latest innovations and share knowledge in this highly specialised field. The key themes for 2024 will include embedded vision, hyperspectral imaging and deep learning, and how these relate to Industry 4.0. The show covers the entire spectrum of products and services in the image processing sector including, barcode identification, 2D and 3D robot vision, optical character recognition, security systems, sequence analysis and assembly control.
Find out more about Vision here
A trade show, also known as a trade fair or expo, is a large-scale event where businesses and professionals within a specific industry gather to showcase and demonstrate their latest products and services. It’s an opportunity for companies to network with potential clients, partners, and industry influencers, as well as to observe the latest market trends and competitors’ offerings. Trade shows typically feature a variety of exhibits, presentations, and workshops, and they offer a unique platform for businesses to enhance their brand visibility, forge new connections, and engage in direct sales. They play a crucial role in business development and marketing strategies across diverse sectors.
The future of trade shows is expected to be shaped by technological advancements, evolving business needs, and changing consumer behaviours. Here are some key trends that are likely to influence the landscape of trade shows:
The future of trade shows lies in their ability to adapt, innovate, and offer meaningful and engaging experiences to exhibitors and attendees alike.
We are experts in industrial B2B PR and marketing and are here to help you raise your profile pre and post-event. Contact our team to find out how we can help you make your mark at B2B trade shows and exhibitions in 2022 and beyond.
If you run B2B exhibitions or trade events and would like to include them in our guide, please contact our team.