Free workplace inclusion summit and careers fair inside Naidex, NEC Birmingham, 23–24 March 2027 — inclusive hiring, Access to Work and disabled talent.
Dates
23–24 Mar 2027
City / country
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Venue
NEC Birmingham
Event overview
Business Without Barriers is the workplace inclusion summit and careers fair hosted inside Naidex at NEC Birmingham on 23–24 March 2027. Across two free-to-attend days, employers, HR leaders, policymakers, disabled professionals and jobseekers meet around one agenda: removing the barriers that keep disabled and neurodivergent talent out of work.
Expect practical sessions on inclusive hiring, Access to Work, reasonable adjustments and accessible technology, a recruitment fair with inclusive employers, and the Lloyds Banking Group Disabled Founders Pitch. It sits inside Naidex's wider exhibition, so visitors can connect workplace strategy with the products and services that make inclusion real.
TL;DR
Visit to benchmark your inclusion strategy against employers that publish what they do, meet candidates through the recruitment fair, and leave with practical steps on Access to Work, reasonable adjustments and accessible technology. Entry is free and the summit sits inside Naidex, so one trip covers workplace policy and the wider disability product market.
Exhibit to reach HR, diversity and inclusion leads, occupational health buyers and disabled jobseekers in a single hall, and to position your recruitment, assistive technology or accessibility service alongside Naidex's established disability audience. The careers fair format creates direct conversations with candidates as well as buyers.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
NEC Birmingham, Pendigo Way, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT, United Kingdom
On-site NEC car parks off Pendigo Way and the M42; charges apply and pre-booking is advised on show days.
The NEC is a step-free campus with lifts to hall levels; Naidex adds accessibility support and a quiet space, so ask at the show entrance on arrival.
Food options
NEC catering outlets
On-site diningParking: NEC car parks sit on the campus and are signposted from the M42 (Junction 6); pre-book parking where the venue offers it and allow 15–20 minutes to walk to the halls.
Gate: Use the NEC main entrances; check your ticket or the Naidex visitor page for the hall and entrance assigned to the 2027 show.
Attend
General admission
Free registration for the 2027 show; pre-register online before travelling.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring the registration confirmation and photo ID; badges are collected at the Naidex entrance on the day.
Ticket notes
The 2026 edition opened 09:30 and closed 16:30 on both days; 2027 hours were not published at the time of research, so check the visitor page before booking travel.
Who runs the show
Roar B2B
Organiser
What's on
Naidex
The UK's flagship accessibility, disability and independent living exhibition, running for over 50 years.
Same NEC halls and free registration.
WebsiteNaidex Junior
A dedicated space for children and young people with disabilities and additional needs.
Co-located within Naidex.
WebsiteCare & Dementia
A zone focused on dementia care and support practice.
Co-located within Naidex.
WebsiteNeuro Rehab
A zone covering neurological rehabilitation and care.
Co-located within Naidex.
WebsiteHow the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 12,000
Exhibitors: 200
This edition
2027
Visitors: 12,000
Exhibitors: 200
Next edition
2027
The Naidex circuit continues after the March flagship: Naidex South returns to Farnborough International on 6 October 2027 and a new Naidex North launches on 16 June 2027. Business Without Barriers remains part of the flagship NEC programme.
Naidex South at Farnborough International on 6 October 2027 Naidex North launch on 16 June 2027
Edition recap
The 2026 edition combined the Naidex exhibition with Business Without Barriers, a recruitment fair and a programme on inclusive hiring, Access to Work and disabled entrepreneurship. The show ran 25–26 March at NEC Birmingham.
Impact
Business Without Barriers gives employers a practical route into disability inclusion rather than a policy statement: recruitment, reasonable adjustments, Access to Work and assistive technology are discussed in the same space where candidates meet hiring teams.
Audience quality
The audience mixes HR and diversity decision-makers with disabled and neurodivergent jobseekers, accessibility consultants and charities. That combination produces buyer conversations and live recruitment conversations in the same visit, though exhibitors should expect a public-facing crowd alongside professional buyers.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI depends on follow-up: capture candidate and employer leads, tag them by hiring need or procurement stage, and follow up within five working days. Employers hiring at scale get the clearest return; vendors selling assistive technology should book meetings with HR and IT buyers before the show.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
The UK has one of the widest disability employment gaps in the developed world, and employers increasingly report skills shortages at the same time. A show that connects inclusive employers with disabled talent, and workplace buyers with assistive technology, sits directly on that gap.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Disclosure-led recruitment
Employers are redesigning application and interview stages so candidates can disclose a disability or health condition without being screened out.
What it changes: Recruitment teams need processes and training they can show candidates, not just a policy statement.
Access to Work as a retention lever
Employers are learning to use Access to Work support earlier, for existing staff as well as new hires, to prevent avoidable exits.
What it changes: It turns a government scheme into a practical retention tool and creates demand for advice and case-management services.
Assistive technology in mainstream IT budgets
Accessibility features are moving from specialist procurement into standard workplace software and device refresh cycles.
What it changes: Vendors can pitch to IT and HR buyers together, and employers can bake inclusion into systems they are already buying.
Business Without Barriers sits inside the Naidex flagship. Buyers tracking UK accessibility and inclusive employment can add the Naidex roadshows and one European rehabilitation show to the same planning window.
Zero Project Conference 2027
Vienna, Austria
Policy-focused adjacent event; dates estimated from its usual February slot.
websiteRehacare International 2027
Düsseldorf, Germany
Circuit dates estimated from the show's usual September slot; confirm before booking.
websiteNaidex South 2027
Farnborough, United Kingdom
Announced on the Naidex homepage as returning to Farnborough International on 6 October 2027.
websiteWinter policy season
Use for policy and research context ahead of the March flagship.
Autumn roadshow
Two autumn options for teams that cannot travel in March.
Naidex dates are from the official site; adjacent show dates are circuit estimates and should be reconfirmed.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Closest airport; take the free Air-Rail Link to Birmingham International station, which connects to the NEC.
About 2 miles
to venue
10–15 minutes
by car
London Heathrow Airport
Use Heathrow for long-haul routes, then rail or coach to Birmingham International.
About 100 miles
to venue
2 hours by train or 2.5 hours by road
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 95–140 / night
Basic rooms within a short walk or one stop of the NEC; book early because March show dates tighten availability.
USD 150–220 / night
On-campus or adjacent hotels with easy walking access to the halls.
USD 240–360 / night
Full-service options beside the venue with restaurants and meeting space.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Air-Rail Link
Runs every few minutes and takes about 2 minutes; the NEC is connected to the station.
Rail
Frequent regional services; journey time about 10–15 minutes, then walk to the halls.
Taxi / ride-hail
Use the signed taxi rank; allow extra time on show mornings.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Many EU, US and Commonwealth visitors can attend a business event without a visa; check GOV.UK before booking.
An ATA Carnet is commonly used for temporary exhibit goods; confirm requirements with UK customs and your freight forwarder.
Official visa pageWeather
March in Birmingham is cool and changeable: expect 3–11°C, wind and a good chance of rain. Pack a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for the walk from station or car park.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is usually available in NEC public areas; mobile coverage is strong. Carry a power bank and download tickets before arrival.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Queue etiquette
Queue for badges, coffee and sessions; Britons generally expect orderly lines and quiet mobile use in talks.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in pubs and cafés beyond optional service charges; taxis usually round up.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: BHX (Birmingham Airport)
Book into BHX where possible; the Air-Rail Link connects the airport to Birmingham International and the NEC. For LHR arrivals, allow 2 hours by train to Birmingham International.
Most EU, US, Canadian and Australian business visitors do not need a visa for a short event trip; other nationalities should check the UK Standard Visitor route.
Estimated cost: £0–£127 depending on nationality and route
Processing: Usually 3 weeks for a visitor visa
Carry a letter from your employer and proof of accommodation; do not claim a fee is official without checking GOV.UK.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Free Air-Rail Link to Birmingham International, then a short walk to the NEC.
Hotel → venue: On-campus hotels are walkable; city-centre hotels connect by rail in 10–15 minutes.
Ride-hail: Taxis and ride-hail drop at the signed NEC ranks; allow 10–20 minutes at peak.
Public transit: West Midlands Railway serves Birmingham International; local buses stop at the NEC.
Parking: Pre-book NEC car parks and allow 15–20 minutes to walk to the halls.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: March
Temperature: 3–11°C
Seasonality: Changeable spring weather with frequent showers and wind.
Packing: Waterproof jacket, layers, comfortable shoes and a compact umbrella.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day one or day two, depending on your hiring need
Day one carries the opening keynote energy and the widest employer turnout; day two is calmer for detailed conversations with recruiters and accessibility suppliers. If you are jobseeking, visit early on day one and return on day two for follow-ups.
Register free and download the show guide — Registration is free; check the programme and exhibitor list.
Book rail and hotel — NEC hotels fill quickly in March; compare campus and city-centre rates.
Shortlist employers and sessions — Pick two recruitment-fair employers and two talks per day.
Prepare CV and adjustment requests — Bring printed CVs and note any access requirements.
Check travel disruption and pack — Confirm train times, weather and entrance details.
Registration and accessibility desk
Naidex main entranceInclusive hiring session
Business Without Barriers stageRecruitment fair meetings
Business Without Barriers hubAssistive technology exhibitors
Naidex exhibition hallsCadbury World
Family Attraction
About 30 minutes by train from Birmingham New Street
A relaxed half-day add-on for visitors travelling with family.
Birmingham Canal Navigations and Gas Street Basin
City Walk
15 minutes from New Street station
Easy evening walk with pubs and restaurants after the show.
Business Without Barriers Hub
Show floor
The natural place to meet employers and recruitment specialists between sessions.
Village Green
Show floor
Informal seating and performances make it the easiest spot for a spontaneous conversation.
Business Without Barriers mixes recruitment conversations with supplier conversations, so separate candidate leads from employer and vendor leads before you send anything.
Budget
Shell scheme
GBP 380–560 / m²
Raw space
GBP 320–450 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
No 2027 tariff was published; bands are UK regional exhibition estimates and exclude VAT, rigging and electrics.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · standard
GBP 3420–5040 / 9 sqm shell
hotel
both · mid
USD 150–220 / night
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | standard | GBP 3420–5040 / 9 sqm shell | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 150–220 / night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six questions to decide whether to visit, exhibit or skip Business Without Barriers 2027.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What best describes your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You want to recruit, learn or benchmark without committing to a stand.
Best for
Jobseekers, HR teams and policymakers comparing employers and sessions
Min. budget
$120.00
Timeline
2–3 weeks
Risks
Free registration still requires travel and hotel spend
Popular sessions fill early
exhibit
You have live roles or a product that solves a workplace barrier.
Best for
Recruiters, assistive technology vendors and accessibility consultancies
Min. budget
$4,500.00
Timeline
8–12 weeks
Risks
Stand costs rise with build and electrics
Public-facing traffic needs qualification
skip
The 2027 dates clash with a higher-priority commitment or your market is outside the UK.
Best for
Teams with no hiring, procurement or policy need in 2027
Timeline
None
Risks
Missing competitor and policy signals
Book with
NEC Birmingham
The UK's largest exhibition campus and host of Naidex and Business Without Barriers.
Venue named on the official Naidex site.
Birmingham Airport
The closest airport, linked to the NEC by the free Air-Rail Link.
Practical travel partner; not an official show sponsor.
Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
Regional business network connecting employers with skills and inclusion programmes.
Useful local business body; not confirmed as a show partner.
Business Disability Forum
Employer membership body focused on disability-inclusive business practice.
Relevant industry association; not confirmed as a show partner.
Recommended providers
Check nationality-specific visitor rules before booking.
Compare NEC campus and Birmingham International options; book early for March.
Book into BHX where possible; LHR is the long-haul fallback with rail to Birmingham International.
Appoint a forwarder with NEC experience once the exhibitor manual is published.
Public liability and exhibition cover; confirm the 2027 manual limits.
Official city guide for Cadbury World, canals and evening dining.
Badge scanning and lead capture; confirm whether the organiser provides a scanner.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
6
References
2
Publishers
6
Date checked
Naidex / Roar B2B
The NEC
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
