Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.

Join us at the National Painting and Decorating Show from 22-24 June 2027 at The NEC Birmingham, showcasing the best in painting and decorating.
Dates
22–24 Jun 2027
City / country
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Venue
The NEC Birmingham
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
The National Painting and Decorating Show is the UK's only national exhibition dedicated to the painting and decorating industry. Taking place from 22-24 June 2027 at The NEC Birmingham, this event brings together suppliers, stockists, and contractors for a comprehensive showcase of products, tools, and techniques.
Attendees can expect live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and opportunities to network with industry professionals. National Painting and Decorating Show takes place in.
TL;DR
Visitors will gain hands-on experience with the latest tools and techniques in painting and decorating. Dates and Venue: The National Painting and Decorating Show takes place from 22-24 June 2027 at The NEC Birmingham. Buyer Authority: Attendees include professional painters, decorators, and industry suppliers looking for new tools and techniques. Entry: Registration is available online, with various options for exhibitors and visitors.
Exhibitors can showcase their products to a targeted audience of decorators and industry professionals. Scale and Focus: This premier event showcases the latest products and innovations in the painting and decorating industry. Buyer Authority: Attendees include professional painters, decorators, and industry suppliers looking for new tools and techniques. Entry: Registration is available online, with various options for exhibitors and visitors.
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
Hall 3, Birmingham, B40 1NT, United Kingdom
The NEC Birmingham in Birmingham typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: The NEC Birmingham in Birmingham typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at The NEC Birmingham for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Who runs the show
Nineteen
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Attending National Painting and Decorating Show on 2027-06-22 to 2027-06-24 in Birmingham lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Birmingham Airport
The closest and most practical gateway for The NEC. Short-haul European and domestic routes dominate, with long-haul connections through hubs. Allow 20-30 min door to hall once you clear arrivals
Approx. 1.5 miles (2.5 km) from The NEC
to venue
5-10 min by road; free Air-Rail Link to Birmingham International station, then a short walk to the halls
by car
East Midlands Airport
Useful alternative for cargo-heavy and low-cost European routes. Rail connections are indirect, so a coach or pre-booked car is usually simpler for a NEC arrival
Approx. 40 miles (65 km)
to venue
45-60 min by road via the M42 and A42
by car
London Heathrow Airport
Best option for long-haul arrivals. Rail into Birmingham International avoids M25 and M40 traffic, and the station sits a short walk from the NEC halls
Approx. 100 miles (160 km)
to venue
About 2 h by road; around 1 h 15 min to 1 h 45 min by rail via London to Birmingham International
by car
London Luton Airport
Serves many European low-cost routes. Factor in the Luton DART and a London cross-town transfer, which makes it slower than it looks on a map
Approx. 85 miles (135 km)
to venue
About 1 h 45 min by road; rail via London St Pancras then a connection to Birmingham International
by car
Coventry Airport
Regional airport serving the event metro - confirm routes with Maps
to venue
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Premier Inn Birmingham NEC Airport hotel
4.1
Closest value option for the halls, walkable to the NEC and the airport. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are offered, parking may be chargeable; book early because show-week midweek rates climb.
Holiday Inn Express Birmingham Airport NEC by IHG
4.1
Limited-service rooms with breakfast included, a short walk or one-stop transfer from the NEC. Free cancellation and pet-friendly policies are listed on the hotel's own booking page.
Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC by IHG
4.3
On-campus option with the shortest walk to the halls; restaurant, bar, fitness centre and room service. Breakfast and parking are available, often at extra cost.
Hilton Birmingham Metropole
4.0
Largest on-campus hotel, with indoor pool, hot tub, fitness centre and several dining options. Popular with exhibitors, so build-up week nights book out first.
Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Airport
4.4
Airport-side base with parking and fitness centre, convenient if you are flying in or out around show days. Allow 10-15 min by taxi or the Air-Rail Link to the halls.
Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre by IHG
4.0
City-centre base with restaurants and nightlife on the doorstep and a 10-15 min train from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International. Good value if you want evenings in town rather than on the NEC campus.
Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Brindleyplace
4.2
Canal-side city-centre district with bars and restaurants within walking distance. Parking available; budget the rail fare and transfer time to the NEC each morning.
voco St. John's Solihull by IHG
4.0
Quieter Solihull option with spa and pool facilities, roughly 15-20 min by road or a short rail hop to Birmingham International. Useful for exhibitors who want distance from show-floor noise.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
rail + people mover
The Air-Rail Link connects the airport terminals with Birmingham International station every few minutes, and the NEC halls are a 5-10 minute signed walk from there. The cheapest and usually fastest option for badge-holding visitors.
rail
West Midlands Trains and Avanti West Coast services run frequently; journey time is roughly 10-15 minutes. Buy an off-peak return if you are staying in the city centre for the full show.
taxi
Only worth it with luggage or in rain - the transfer is short and the Air-Rail Link is usually quicker at peak times. Use the signed taxi rank rather than unmarked cars.
taxi
Roughly 25-35 minutes outside peak hours. Allow 45 minutes for the morning rush if you have a first-slot meeting, or take the train instead.
coach
National Express and rail connections run via Birmingham city centre, so total journey time can reach 90 minutes. Pre-book if you land late in the day.
rail
Fastest surface route from London, roughly 1 h 10 min to 1 h 30 min. Advance tickets released around 12 weeks out are the cheapest; rail replacement works on summer weekends are worth checking.
taxi
Only sensible for small groups with heavy stand materials. Rail via London Euston is nearly always faster and cheaper for solo travellers.
taxi
Rail via London St Pancras and Birmingham International is the practical alternative, with about 2 h 30 min total journey time.
Weather
June in Birmingham is mild and changeable: expect daytime highs around 18-19 C and overnight lows near 9-11 C, with roughly 17 rain days and about 60 mm across the month. Showers are often short, so a packable waterproof layer beats an umbrella on the walk between the halls and Birmingham International station. Daylight lasts until well after 21:00, which makes evening travel back to the city centre easy.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
UK networks EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 all cover the NEC site, with 4G and 5G available across the halls and concourse. Visitors from outside the UK can buy a prepaid SIM from airport and city-centre shops or use an eSIM installed before travel. Public Wi-Fi exists in parts of the NEC and in the on-site hotels but should not be relied on for stand demos or card payments - bring a mobile hotspot if you are running live product software. Charging points are limited at busy times, so pack a power bank for long show days.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Currency and payments
The UK uses pounds sterling (GBP). Contactless cards and mobile payments work almost everywhere at the NEC, including car parks and catering, but a small amount of cash is useful for tips and the odd taxi.
Business dress
Smart casual is the norm on UK trade show floors - shirt or polo with trousers, comfortable shoes. Suits appear mainly at formal meetings, and NEC halls can be warm under lighting, so layering works better than heavy tailoring.
Tipping
Service is not usually tipped in pubs and cafes where you order at the bar. In restaurants, 10-12.5% is standard and often already added as a discretionary service charge, so check the bill before adding more.
Punctuality and meetings
Meetings start on time. If you are travelling from Birmingham city centre, allow 30-40 minutes door to hall rather than the 15-minute train time alone, because Birmingham International to the halls is a signed walk.
Language and accessibility
Show business is conducted in English, and NEC halls have step-free routes, lifts and accessible toilets. Tell the organiser in advance if you need a mobility scooter, hearing loop or quiet room during the show.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: BHX
Aim for Birmingham Airport (BHX) where a route exists: the Air-Rail Link puts you at Birmingham International in minutes, saving a London transfer on arrival day. Book 8-12 weeks out for European routes and earlier for transatlantic and Gulf connections, and check the fare against a Heathrow or Manchester itinerary once the rail leg is added. If you fly into Heathrow, book a through rail ticket to Birmingham International rather than separate legs. Allow a full evening buffer before the first show morning, especially for long-haul arrivals, and check for engineering works on the West Coast Main Line on summer weekends before fixing your return date.
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Birmingham Airport (BHX): 5-10 min by road; free Air-Rail Link to Birmingham International station, then a short walk to the halls; East Midlands Airport (EMA): 45-60 min by road via the M42 and A42; London Heathrow Airport (LHR): About 2 h by road; around 1 h 15 min to 1 h 45 min by rail via London to Birmingham International; London Luton Airport (LTN): About 1 h 45 min by road; rail via London St Pancras then a connection to Birmingham International. Allow road or rail time
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near The NEC Birmingham: NEC / Birmingham Airport: Premier Inn Birmingham NEC Airport hotel; Birmingham Airport / NEC: Holiday Inn Express Birmingham Airport NEC by IHG; NEC / Birmingham Airport: Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC by IHG.
Ride-hail: Uber and Bolt both operate in Birmingham, with pickup and drop-off points at the NEC designated by the venue rather than at the hall doors - follow the signed rideshare zones and check the app map before you leave the stand. Expect roughly GBP 8-15 from Birmingham Airport to the NEC and GBP 25-40 from the city centre, with surge pricing around show opening and close. Black cabs and local private hire are available at the airport and New Street station ranks; agree the fare or confirm the meter at the start of the journey.
Public transit: Rail is the workhorse for The NEC: West Midlands Trains and Avanti West Coast services call at Birmingham International, and the halls are a 5-10 minute signed walk from the station. From Birmingham New Street the journey is 10-15 minutes and trains run frequently through the day. Birmingham Airport connects to the station by the free Air-Rail Link, which runs every few minutes. National Express West Midlands buses serve the NEC from the city centre and take around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. Note that the West Midlands Metro tram network serves central Birmingham and Wolverhampton but does not reach the NEC, so plan a rail or bus leg if you are staying in town.
Parking: The NEC operates multiple on-site car parks with pay-on-the-day and pre-book options, typically around GBP 12-18 per day for event parking. Pre-book where the venue allows it and record your car park name and postcode, because the site is large and the walking route to your hall differs by car park. Blue badge bays are available close to the halls - book these through the venue in advance. If you are exhibiting with heavy kit, arrange a build-up vehicle pass rather than using visitor parking, and allow 20 minutes from car to hall on busy mornings. On-campus hotels have their own chargeable parking, which is often cheaper for multi-day stays than daily event parking.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: June
Temperature: Typically 9-19 C across the show days, with afternoon highs near 18-19 C and cooler early mornings around 9-11 C
Seasonality: June averages roughly 17 rain days and about 60 mm of rain in Birmingham, usually as short passing showers rather than all-day rain. Daylight lasts well into the evening, so outdoor walks to and from Birmingham International station are rarely in darkness.
Packing: Pack layers for a 9-19 C range: a light suit or smart casual for the show floor, a packable waterproof shell rather than a heavy coat, and comfortable broken-in shoes for the long walks between NEC halls. Add an umbrella for the station walk, a power bank for long days, and a light jumper for air-conditioned meeting rooms.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at National Painting and Decorating Show usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Register for a visitor badge at paintshow.co.uk and save the confirmation email and QR code to your phone and to a printed copy.
Confirm travel into Birmingham International or reserve an NEC car park; if you are coming by train, check the West Midlands Trains and Avanti timetables for 22-24 June 2027.
Book accommodation - NEC-campus hotels sell out first around large shows, so compare the Premier Inn NEC, Holiday Inn Express NEC, Crowne Plaza NEC and Hilton Metropole before widening to Birmingham city centre.
Build a target list of paint, coatings and equipment brands from the exhibitor list, and note the specification or colour questions you want answered on each stand.
Check whether your employer needs any COSHH or product data from the show; bring a notepad or tablet for technical answers and safety data sheet references.
Diarise seminar or demonstration slots and decide which hall to start in on day one, working back from the stands with booked meetings.
Sort out payment - UK cards and contactless are accepted almost everywhere, but a small amount of cash helps for the odd taxi or kiosk.
Check the June weather and pack a light waterproof layer; NEC halls are large and you will walk between halls and the station outside.
Print or download the floorplan and note the NEC hall entrance that matches your first meeting, so you do not start at the wrong end of the site.
Confirm any hotel shuttle, breakfast start time or early check-in you need to be on the show floor at opening.
Charge power banks and pack business cards, a tape measure for sample sizing, and an envelope for product literature.
Re-check paintshow.co.uk for opening hours, hall changes or travel notices, and set an alarm that accounts for the badge queue on day one.
Registration and hall orientation at The NEC Birmingham
Supplier meetings and product demos
Final negotiations and follow-up
National Painting and Decorating Show registration concourse
The NEC Birmingham
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
The NEC Birmingham
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget

Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Use this quick check to decide whether National Painting and Decorating Show fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
Trust footer
2
References
1
Publishers
0
Date checked
National Painting and Decorating Show
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.