Free-to-attend UK advanced materials exhibition at NEC Birmingham, 16–17 June 2027, with 300+ exhibitors, six co-located shows and technical conference tracks.
Dates
16–17 Jun 2027
City / country
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Venue
NEC Birmingham
Event overview
The Advanced Materials Show returns to NEC Birmingham on 16–17 June 2027, bringing the UK’s advanced materials supply chain together under one roof. Across two free-to-attend days, materials scientists, design engineers, manufacturers and buyers can compare nanomaterials, composites, polymers, technical ceramics, coatings and characterisation equipment, and meet suppliers moving research into commercial production.
The exhibition sits alongside five specialist co-located shows, so one badge opens battery, ceramics, vehicle electrification, energy storage and distributed energy content as well as the materials floor. A multi-track conference adds practical sessions on graphene and 2D materials, surface engineering and composites, with ample time for supplier meetings and networking.
TL;DR
Use two days to compare materials and processing suppliers side by side, see live characterisation and testing equipment, and sit in on conference tracks that connect lab results to production. One free badge also opens the co-located battery, ceramics and vehicle electrification shows, so a single trip covers several sourcing briefs.
The show concentrates technical buyers who specify materials, coatings, test methods and production equipment. Exhibiting here puts a supplier in front of aerospace, automotive, energy, electronics and medical product teams, and the co-located halls add battery and EV visitors who would otherwise need a separate trip.
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 serve all halls; pre-book a space and keep the booking reference for the barrier.
The NEC campus is step-free, with lifts to hall levels and accessible toilets; ask at the main reception desk for a mobility scooter or wheelchair.
A free shuttle links the NEC halls, Birmingham International station and the on-site hotels during major shows; follow the shuttle stop signs.
Food options
NEC campus food courts and cafés
On-site diningParking: Use the NEC’s pre-booked parking and follow signs to the hall named on your badge; allow extra time on show mornings.
Gate: Enter through the NEC’s main concourse and follow the event signage to the exhibition halls. Birmingham International station is a short covered walk from the campus.
Attend
Free visitor pass
Registration is free and covers the exhibition and conference tracks.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Register online in advance and bring the QR badge by email; badges are also printed at the registration desks in the main concourse.
Ticket notes
Free to attend; no ticket price is printed for 2027.
What's on
The Advanced Ceramics Show
Technical ceramics, ceramic additive manufacturing and kiln technology.
Same NEC campus, one registration badge.
WebsiteBattery Cells & Systems Expo
Battery cell production, pack assembly and the UK battery supply chain.
Same NEC campus, one registration badge.
WebsiteVehicle Electrification Expo
Electric vehicle powertrain, power electronics and charging systems.
Same NEC campus, one registration badge.
WebsiteHow the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 5,500
Exhibitors: 300
This edition
2027
Visitors: 7,000
Exhibitors: 300
Next edition
Not announced yet
Impact
The show sits inside a six-expo week that gives the materials floor a larger, cross-disciplinary audience than a standalone materials event. A visitor can move from a nanomaterial sample to a battery pack or a ceramic component in the same hall, which shortens the path from material choice to application testing. The trade-off is that per-show attendance is hard to isolate from the combined 7,000+ figure.
Audience quality
The audience is technical rather than general: materials scientists, design and manufacturing engineers, laboratory teams, procurement specialists and innovation scouts. Co-location with battery and vehicle electrification shows adds buyers with a specific commercial brief. The free pass removes price friction but also makes pre-registration less predictive of attendance, so exhibitors should qualify badge scans rather than count footfall.
Exhibitor outcomes
For a materials or instrumentation supplier, the week concentrates UK and European buyers who specify, test and qualify materials. A stand is most defensible when the target list spans the co-located shows, because one badge reaches ceramics, battery and EV engineers as well as materials R&D. No audited ROI, rebooking rate or satisfaction score is published, so budget on pipeline quality and booked meetings rather than a claimed return multiple.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
The UK is scaling a materials supply chain that spans graphene, technical ceramics, composites and battery chemistry. A single Birmingham week that puts suppliers, characterisation labs, OEM engineers and investors on one floor shortens supplier discovery for product teams and gives exporters a compact route into aerospace, automotive, energy and medical buyers.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
From lab sample to production format
Materials suppliers are being judged on lot consistency, dosing format and scale-up evidence rather than headline properties alone.
What it changes: Buyers can qualify a supplier on production readiness, not just a data sheet.
Characterisation as a strategic input
Testing, metrology and verification are moving earlier in development programmes and shaping which materials reach qualification.
What it changes: A show floor with instruments and labs beside material makers shortens the verification loop.
AI and automation in materials discovery
Closed-loop experimentation and AI screening are being applied to candidate selection, with value tied to data quality and workflow fit.
What it changes: R&D teams can compare practical tools rather than hype, and ask suppliers how data is generated.
The Advanced Materials Show runs in the same NEC halls as five specialist shows, so one registration covers materials, ceramics, batteries, vehicle electrification, energy storage and distributed energy.
The Advanced Ceramics Show
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Technical ceramics, kilns and ceramic additive manufacturing.
websiteBattery Cells & Systems Expo
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Battery cell manufacture, pack engineering and supply chain.
websiteVehicle Electrification Expo
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Electric powertrain, power electronics and charging technology.
websiteCo-location confirmed on the official show site; sister-show dates follow the same NEC week.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Closest airport; a free/paid shuttle or taxi reaches the NEC campus quickly.
About 3 km
to venue
5–10 minutes
by car
London Heathrow Airport
Main long-haul gateway; take Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line to London Euston then a train to Birmingham International.
About 160 km
to venue
2 hours by train or car
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 110–155 / night
Simple rooms within a short walk or shuttle ride of the halls; book early for the co-located week.
USD 165–245 / night
Full-service options with breakfast and meeting space, 10–15 minutes from the halls.
USD 250–390 / night
Largest rooms and dining on the campus; the Metropole is directly connected to the NEC.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Rail
Frequent West Midlands Trains services; the station is a short covered walk to the halls.
Taxi or rideshare
Use the official taxi rank; app pick-up points are signed at the airport terminal.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor visa | Visitors who do not qualify for visa-free entry or the electronic travel authorisation scheme | $150.00 | Usually about three weeks; apply earlier in peak season |
Many European and Commonwealth visitors can enter visa-free or with an electronic travel authorisation; confirm your own status on GOV.UK.
The UK accepts ATA carnets for temporary professional equipment and display goods; list exhibition materials on the carnet and keep the counterfoils.
Official visa pageWeather
June in Birmingham is mild and changeable: expect 12–20°C, a mix of sun and showers, and cool evenings. Pack a light waterproof and layers.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Mobile coverage is good across the NEC campus; free Wi-Fi is available in the concourse and halls, though it slows at peak times. Bring a portable battery for long days.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Meeting style
British business meetings are polite and relatively direct; arrive on time, shake hands and use first names once invited.
Payments and tipping
Card and contactless payments are standard; keep a little cash for small cafés, and tipping is modest outside restaurants.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: BHX
Fly into Birmingham (BHX) where possible; for long-haul routes, connect via London Heathrow or Amsterdam and take the train to Birmingham International.
Book flightsVisa-free entry, electronic travel authorisation or a Standard Visitor visa may apply depending on nationality. Check GOV.UK before booking and carry a letter confirming your event registration.
Estimated cost: USD 150 estimate
Processing: About three weeks
A business visitor may attend meetings and the show on a Standard Visitor visa; paid work or selling on the stand needs the correct route. The fee is an estimate.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: BHX is about 3 km away: take a taxi in 5–10 minutes or the free/paid shuttle to the NEC campus.
Hotel → venue: Campus hotels are walkable; Airport and city-centre hotels connect by train to Birmingham International.
Ride-hail: Uber and local taxis serve the NEC; use signed pick-up points and allow 15 minutes at peak.
Public transit: West Midlands Trains to Birmingham International, then a covered walk to the halls; local buses stop at the airport and NEC.
Parking: Pre-book NEC parking and follow the hall-specific signs; allow extra time on show mornings.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: June
Temperature: 12–20°C
Seasonality: Showers are common year-round; June is mild rather than reliably dry.
Packing: Light layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes for the halls.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Both days
The programme is only two days, and co-located halls reward a full day plus a second morning. Day one suits supplier meetings and keynotes; day two is quieter for detailed technical discussions.
Register for a free pass and download the event app — Check which co-located halls you need and save exhibitors to a shortlist.
Book rail, flights and hotel — Birmingham International is walkable to the NEC; campus hotels fill fast.
Build a meeting list and request appointments — Prioritise suppliers you cannot see locally and leave buffer time between halls.
Print or save the badge and plan conference sessions — Check the agenda for clashes and note theatre locations.
Pack layers, a waterproof and a portable battery — Confirm travel times and aim to arrive for opening.
Registration and badge collection
NEC main concourseSupplier meetings on the materials floor
Advanced Materials Show hallsConference session and lunch
Conference theatre and hall caféCo-located ceramics and battery halls
NEC campus hallsNetworking reception
Show floor networking areaCadbury World
Food and Heritage
About 20 minutes by train or car
A short, distinctly Birmingham break for an afternoon or rest day.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Historic Town
About 45 minutes by train or car
Shakespeare’s birthplace, riverside walks and a change of pace after two days in halls.
Resorts World Arena and Boulevard
Campus dining and bars
Restaurants and bars opposite the NEC, convenient for evening conversations.
NEC lakeside and Pendigo Way
Walk and coffee
A short outdoor loop between halls; useful for a quieter one-to-one meeting.
The UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 apply to visitor data collected at the stand. Follow up on the basis of the consent or legitimate interest recorded at capture, and remove anyone who opts out.
Budget
Shell scheme
GBP 350–480 / m²
Raw space
GBP 250–350 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
No 2027 exhibitor tariff was published. Bands are planning estimates for a UK regional exhibition and exclude VAT, stand build, freight and utilities.
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.
Shell scheme
exhibitor · entry
GBP 3150–4320 / 9 sqm stand
Hotel
both · mid
USD 165–245 / per night
Per diem
both · standard
USD 60–90 / per day
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell scheme | exhibitor | entry | GBP 3150–4320 / 9 sqm stand | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
| Hotel | both | mid | USD 165–245 / per night | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
| Per diem | both | standard | USD 60–90 / per day | estimate | 2026-11-01 |
Decision
Six quick questions score whether this show is worth a visit, an exhibit budget or a skip.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
Which best describes your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You have a sourcing, specification or technology-watch brief and can commit at least one full day.
Best for
Technical buyers, engineers and researchers who need to compare suppliers, see equipment and follow the conference.
Min. budget
$600.00
Timeline
Two to four weeks to plan meetings
Risks
Diary clashes across co-located halls
Free registration can mean long queues at peak times
exhibit
You can staff the stand with technical sellers and book meetings before the show.
Best for
Material, coating, ceramic or instrumentation suppliers with a UK or European sales pipeline.
Min. budget
$4,500.00
Timeline
Three months for stand, services and freight
Risks
Combined footfall is not a per-show buyer count
Stand and freight costs can exceed the space rate
skip
The show does not support a live project, hire or sourcing decision in the next twelve months.
Best for
Teams with no active materials brief or no budget in the next planning cycle.
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing a competitor launch or a supplier qualification window
Book with
NEC Group
Owns and operates the National Exhibition Centre campus, including halls, parking and Birmingham International links.
Venue operator; not a confirmed 2027 show sponsor.
Birmingham City Council
Local authority for the host city; useful for transport, licensing and civic context.
Public body; not a confirmed 2027 show partner.
West Midlands Growth Company
Promotes the West Midlands as a business and investment destination, including the materials and manufacturing cluster.
Regional body; not a confirmed 2027 show partner.
Innovate UK
UK funding and support body for business-led innovation, including materials and manufacturing programmes.
Public agency; not a confirmed 2027 show partner.
Recommended providers
Official guidance on visitor routes and documents.
Filter for NEC campus and Birmingham International; cancel-free rates fill first.
Compare fares into BHX and Birmingham International rail connections.
International exhibition freight and on-site handling; book before the deadline.
Exhibition and business travel cover; confirm cover for display equipment.
Official city guide for Cadbury World, Stratford and evening dining.
Badge scanning and CRM export; confirm compatibility with the event app.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
8
References
4
Publishers
8
Date checked
The Advanced Materials Show
Event Partners Ltd
AZoM
NEC Group
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
