Sarah is a sales & marketing content writer, with ten years of experience within the engineering & manufacturing industry. Working both at Qimtek and on a freelance basis, she can usually be found hammering away at a keyboard or with her head in a pile of engineering drawings.
If you’re making 2019 the year you increase sales, maximise brand awareness, or grow your company, then you should consider adding exhibiting to your marketing strategy. As exhibitions allow you to engage with vast amounts of potential customers at the same time, they really are the best way to get your name out there. What’s more, in this digital age, there is a lot to be said for the power of face-to-face contact that exhibiting provides.
Within the UK engineering and manufacturing industries, we’re very lucky to have a range of fantastic exhibitions to choose from. If you’re looking to exhibit over the coming year, or if you would like to take the opportunity to meet potential new suppliers, then here are some dates for your 2019 diary:
Southern Manufacturing & Electronics
When: 5th-7th February 2019
Where: Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, Farnborough, Hampshire.
- The biggest regional engineering and manufacturing exhibition, with over 9,000 visitors and 800 exhibitors.
- Well-established event boasting a dedicated subcontract electronics zone.
- Co-located with AutoAero - an aerospace and automotive-specific show.
Serving as one of the biggest and most popular regional shows in the UK, Southern Manufacturing is extremely well-regarded - and for good reason. 2018’s event saw the show enter its third decade, as well as taking up residence at the state-of-the-art Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre.
As well as catering for the likes of precision machining, fabrication, sheet metal, moulding, 3D printing and manufacturing technology companies, Southern Manufacturing has a dedicated subcontract electronics section that is truly unique to such an all-encompassing show. Furthermore, as in previous years, Southern Manufacturing & Electronics is co-located with AutoAero - a show that provides a platform to suppliers of the automotive and aerospace sectors.
If you’re looking to get in front of some big names from the manufacturing industry, then Southern Manufacturing is the show for you. Visitor samples from previous shows have featured a multitude of global brands, making it an unmissable opportunity to see and be seen.
For more information, please visit www.industrysouth.co.uk.
National Engineering Summit
When: 1st May 2019
Where: Arena MK, Milton Keynes
- Centred around information exchange and collaboration to improve engineering and manufacturing.
- Opportunity to network with senior engineers and management from global and UK manufacturing companies.
- Co-located with a number of additional shows, including the National Construction Expo and the Architecture, Design and Planning Show.
The National Engineering Summit encourages information exchange to improve the future of engineering and manufacturing. It offers senior engineers and management the opportunity to network with each other, as well as prospective service and product suppliers. The focus on discussion and collaboration extends to enhancing buildings, infrastructure and industrial projects for national benefit, through targeted introductions within the engineering community.
Visitors can also enjoy a range of co-located shows, including the National Construction Expo and the Architecture, Design and Planning Show. Exhibitors at the event will also surely benefit from a bigger footfall as a result of this co-location, owing to the parallels and crossover between corresponding subject matters.
On top of this, a number of senior industry figures will be participating in the National Engineering Summit’s conference programme, delivering talks on subjects such as lean manufacturing, materials, sustainability, and wellbeing in the workplace.
To find out more, please visit www.nationalengineeringexpo.com.
Subcon
When: 4th-6th June 2019
Where: NEC, Birmingham
- Celebrating its 43rd year, making it one of the longest-standing, established engineering shows.
- 80% of visitors are CEOs, managing directors, or managers with purchasing authority.
- Places an emphasis on networking between subcontract engineering suppliers and manufacturing buyers.
Subcon is an extremely well-established event, which is perhaps why it attracts such a high percentage of decision makers with purchasing authority. Over 80% of visitors are CEOs, managing directors, or managers, meaning that Subcon exhibitors can be sure that they’re reaching the right audience for their services.
Subcon incorporates all aspects of subcontract engineering, with exhibitors specialising in everything from precision machining, sheet metal fabrication and injection moulding, through to electronics, additive manufacturing and casting services. As an event, it places an emphasis on networking opportunities between subcontract engineering companies and manufacturing buyers, bringing both together in a less formal setting to encourage the free exchange of ideas and introductions.
Additionally, Subcon offers a multitude of fascinating conferences and seminars, meaning that exhibitors and visitors alike can hear directly from thought leaders within the industry.
To find out more, please visit www.subconshow.co.uk.
The Manufacturing Management Show
When: 12th-13th June 2019
Where: Ricoh Arena, Coventry
- Provides exhibitors with a platform to reach manufacturing managers.
- Offers visitors advice and solutions to enable them to run a successful manufacturing site.
- Brings the individual aspects of manufacturing management together under one roof.
The Manufacturing Management Show brings all the aspects of manufacturing management together under one roof. If you’re looking for solutions that enable you to run a successful and efficient manufacturing site, then this is the show for you. Exhibitors range from materials handling companies, through to health & safety, legal advisors and even IT service providers, ensuring a productive visit no matter which avenues you’re exploring.
From an exhibitor’s standpoint, the Manufacturing Management Show gives unrivalled access to otherwise hard-to-reach manufacturing managers and decision makers. It also offers exhibitors the chance to lead product-focused workshops, offering practical advice to attendees and building brand awareness simultaneously.
The Manufacturing Management Show is a unique event which is entering its third year in 2019. Those who are interested or involved in the broader reaches of manufacturing will definitely find this show worthwhile.
For more information, please visit www.manufacturingmanagementshow.co.uk.
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition
When: June 25th 2019
Where: Arena MK, Milton Keynes
- All-encompassing event that incorporates a variety of vertical sectors within the manufacturing and supply chain sphere.
- 68 speakers and over 2000 visitors at 2018’s show - 56% of which had purchasing authority.
- Opportunity to hear from industry experts about key issues within the engineering and manufacturing industries.
The Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition is a one-day event in Milton Keynes. It encompasses a variety of vertical sectors within the manufacturing and supply chain spheres, including robotics & automation, Industry 4.0, logistics, 3D & composites, and sustainability. What’s more, this show benefits from having an extensive range of seminars on offer to both visitors and exhibitors, tackling key issues and led by industry experts.
Considering the duration of the Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition, it enjoys an impressive turnout of over 2,000 visitors through the course of the day. The show is a brilliant opportunity for companies who may not have the resources to spare to exhibit at longer events, giving them access to a targeted audience without the extended time commitment.
Following 2018’s event, 92% of visitors said that they would return next year, meaning that 2019’s event is shaping up to be an extremely worthwhile opportunity to showcase your company.
For further information, please visit www.manufacturingevent.co.uk.
TCT Show
When: 24th-26th September 2019
Where: NEC, Birmingham
- Dedicated to showcasing additive manufacturing and 3D printing, as well as design and engineering technology.
- Hosts over 300 exhibitors and 10,000 visitors every year.
- Wide range of seminars and learning zones to broaden knowledge surrounding additive manufacturing applications.
The TCT Show has fast become one of my favourite events in the engineering industry’s calendar, as there is simply so much to see. Focusing on additive manufacturing and 3D printing, the TCT Show has cornered an untapped niche and will not fail to impress even the most cynical of visitors. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing are fast becoming the future of manufacturing - the TCT Show does a wonderful job of showcasing the variety of applications, as well as providing unique learning opportunities for those who are less familiar with the breadth of its potential.
From an exhibitor’s standpoint, the TCT Show offers a targeted audience, with over 10,000 visitors in 2018 alone. The interactive, hands-on nature of the event means that additive manufacturing businesses are able to showcase tangible products, or even offer demonstrations of 3D printing in action. There are plenty of opportunities for exhibitors to draw in a crowd - what’s more, there are visitors from over 40 different countries in attendance, meaning that there is plenty of scope to sell your services internationally.
Whether you’re an additive manufacturing company, a purchaser of 3D-printed parts, or you’re just curious about the potential for such processes within your supply chain, I highly recommend that you earmark the TCT Show as a must-attend event within your 2019 diary.
Please visit www.tctshow.com for more information.
Northern Manufacturing & Electronics
When: 2nd-3rd October 2019
Where: EventCity, Manchester
- Southern Manufacturing & Electronics’ northern counterpart, meaning that exhibitors and visitors can benefit without a long commute.
- New October timetable for 2019 means that it does not clash with other industry events.
- Large regional show with a dedicated subcontract electronics zone.
As the northern counterpart to Southern Manufacturing, Northern Manufacturing & Electronics is situated within Manchester, providing the same great show to northern exhibitors and visitors without the associated commute. Having secured the support of new sponsors, 2019 is a flagship year for the show, which has also been moved to the start of October to avoid conflicting with other industry events.
Much like Southern Manufacturing, Northern Manufacturing & Electronics is a large, regional show that offers an exclusive subcontract electronics zone to its visitors. In addition, you can expect to find exhibitors from a range of different niches such as precision machining, fabrication, sheet metal, moulding, 3D printing and manufacturing technology. Northern Manufacturing will also feature a number of industry speakers addressing a multitude of topics at their free-to-attend seminar programme.
For more information, please visit www.industrynorth.co.uk.
Advanced Engineering
When: 30th-31st October 2019
Where: NEC, Birmingham
- UK’s largest engineering show, featuring industry-specific zones for easy visitor navigation.
- Comprehensive marketing packages to support exhibitor efforts available.
- Widespread demographic of exhibitors, ranging from subcontract engineering through to composites & materials, logistics, manufacturing technology and tooling.
The sheer scale of Advanced Engineering really does have to be seen to be believed. It is the UK’s largest engineering exhibition, hosting a widespread demographic of engineering and services providers covering all aspects of the sector. Subsequently, it is frequented by a large number of top-tier suppliers and OEMs from a broad spectrum of industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, defence and oil & gas.
Advanced Engineering’s floorplan is designed to help visitors navigate their way around the event with ease. Featuring dedicated zones, visitors are able to prioritise the areas that fit best with their requirements. This is great news for exhibitors, as it increases targeted footfall around stands, from visitors who have an active interest in their services.
What’s more, Advanced Engineering provides an excellent opportunity to get in front of decision makers within large organisations. It also supports exhibitors by offering an extensive range of marketing services to complement their time at the show, ensuring that brand exposure is maximised before, during and after the event.
For more information, please visit www.easyfairs.com/advanced-engineering-2018.
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