Traffex 2027, 19–20 May at CBS Arena, Coventry: the UK's practical highways and roads trade show, free for trade visitors and co-located with Parkex and Cold Comfort.
Dates
19–20 May 2027
City / country
Coventry, United Kingdom
Venue
Coventry Building Society Arena (CBS Arena)
Time
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Event overview
Traffex 2027 is the UK's working show for the people who deliver roads, not just debate them. On 19–20 May, Coventry's CBS Arena brings highway engineers, local authority asset managers, Tier 1 contractors and traffic technology suppliers onto one floor alongside Parkex and Cold Comfort.
More than 150 exhibitors are expected to show surfacing, traffic management, ITS, road safety, signage and winter service equipment, while six stages turn policy into costed delivery plans and CPD-accredited case studies. Entry is free for trade visitors who register in advance, and one badge covers all three co-located events.
It is a practical two days for buyers with live projects, approved budgets and procurement deadlines.
TL;DR
Visit to compare practical products for live schemes, sit in costed case-study sessions, and meet the engineers and procurement teams responsible for UK road networks. One free badge also opens Parkex and Cold Comfort, so parking, enforcement and winter resilience can be covered in the same trip.
Exhibit because Traffex puts budget holders and specifiers on the floor rather than general browsers: local authority highways teams, National Highways technical managers, Tier 1 project directors and consultancies. A compact two-day format, shared audience with Parkex and Cold Comfort, and a 9 sqm shell package make it a focused route into UK road procurement.
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
Coventry Building Society Arena, Phoenix Way, Foleshill, Coventry CV6 6GE, United Kingdom
Entrances & gates
Main North entrance
Primary visitor entrance from the arena concourse.
Main South entrance
Secondary entrance serving the arena car parks.
Free visitor and exhibitor parking, pre-booked only. Car Park A for visitors, Car Park C for exhibitors; around 2,000 on-site spaces.
2,000 spaces ·
The arena is level-access with wheelchair routes and accessible toilets; contact the venue ahead for specific requirements.
A staffed cloakroom operates in the arena concourse near the main entrances.
Food options
Arena concourse catering
On-site diningParking: Parking is free for Traffex visitors and exhibitors but every vehicle must be booked in advance; unbooked vehicles receive a Penalty Charge Notice. Visitors use Car Park A with overflow in Car Park C; exhibitors use Car Park C.
Gate: Vehicle access is from Junction 3 of the M6. The arena has its own Coventry Arena railway station and main North and South entrances.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Trade visitor
Free registration covers the exhibition, conference sessions across Traffex, Parkex and Cold Comfort, and CPD content.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Pre-register for fast-track entry; bring your confirmation and a business card. On-the-day registration is possible but slower.
Ticket notes
Visitor registration opens in February 2027. Register interest now to receive the registration link, parking code and hotel deals.
What's on
Parkex 2027
Parking technology, enforcement and operations, including BPA Live.
Same floor and badge at CBS Arena, Coventry.
WebsiteCold Comfort 2027
Winter service and network resilience, including the Resilience Theatre.
Same floor and badge at CBS Arena, Coventry.
WebsiteHow the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 5,000
Exhibitors: 150
This edition
2027
Visitors: 5,000
Exhibitors: 150
Next edition
2028
Traffex runs annually in May at CBS Arena, Coventry. No 2028 dates or edition details have been announced; expect a similar two-day format co-located with Parkex and Cold Comfort.
Dates and exhibitor packages for 2028 are expected to be announced after the 2027 edition.
New this edition
Traffex Concierge
A website and WhatsApp concierge replaces the event app for 2027, answering exhibitor, session and travel questions on demand.
SourceImpact
Traffex matters because it compresses the UK road delivery chain into two days: council highways teams, National Highways, Tier 1 contractors and consultancies meet suppliers with live schemes rather than general curiosity. The 2026 edition drew more than 5,000 professionals and 195 registered councils, with 75% of visitors making or influencing purchasing decisions.
Audience quality
The audience is unusually procurement-weighted for a regional trade show: 51% government and public entities, 45% local authorities, and a further third from contractors and consultancies. Seniority is strong, with managers and above dominating exhibitor scans. The trade-off is a UK-centric room with limited international volume.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI depends on fit with UK public procurement cycles. Suppliers with framework-ready products, demonstrable whole-life costs and local authority references can compress months of meetings into two days; vendors without UK case studies or a public-sector route to market will find the room narrower. The modest 9 sqm entry package lowers the cost of testing the audience.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
UK road spending is shifting from policy design to delivery, with local authorities, National Highways and Tier 1 contractors under pressure to show costed schemes and measurable outcomes. Traffex concentrates that buyer group in Coventry for two days, giving suppliers a rare room where highway engineers, procurement leads and project directors arrive with live budgets rather than general interest.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
From strategy to costed delivery
UK road clients are under pressure to show scheme-level costs, timelines and measurable outcomes. Exhibitors are being asked for implementation plans and whole-life cost evidence, not just product brochures.
What it changes: Suppliers that bring referenceable UK case studies and clear cost data will stand out with budget-holding visitors.
SourceDigital asset management and ITS
Councils and National Highways are investing in asset-management platforms, traffic data, connected signals and remote monitoring to squeeze more capacity from existing networks.
What it changes: Software and data vendors can meet buyers who are actively replacing legacy systems and integrating new data sources.
Resilience and decarbonisation
Winter service, drainage, low-carbon surfacing and EV charging are moving from pilot projects into mainstream programmes as networks face tougher weather and net-zero targets.
What it changes: Resilience and sustainability products cross over directly into the co-located Cold Comfort audience.
Traffex sits inside a cluster of UK road, parking and winter service events, with Intertraffic Amsterdam as the main European benchmark.
Parkex 2027
Coventry, United Kingdom
Parking technology and enforcement; same badge and floor as Traffex. Dates confirmed by the co-located listing.
websiteCold Comfort 2027
Coventry, United Kingdom
Winter service and network resilience; same badge and floor as Traffex.
websiteHighways UK 2027
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Circuit estimate: usually held at NEC Birmingham in late October or early November; 2027 dates not announced.
websiteIntertraffic Amsterdam 2028
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Circuit estimate: biennial ITS and traffic management event at RAI Amsterdam; confirm 2028 dates.
websiteSpring UK show window
Late May, immediately after the UK local authority budget-setting cycle.
Autumn national review
November checkpoint for national programme announcements.
Co-located names and 2027 dates are from the official Traffex pages; adjacent circuit dates are planning estimates.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Closest major airport; direct trains and taxis to Coventry.
about 25 km
to venue
20–30 minutes
by car
Long-haul gateway; rail via London Euston to Coventry in about 55 minutes.
about 160 km
to venue
1 hour 45 minutes by car
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 90–140 / night
Book 6–8 weeks ahead; show week lifts rates.
sourceUSD 150–220 / night
Walkable to restaurants and a short taxi to the arena.
sourceUSD 250–380 / night
Country-house stays; require a car or taxi to the venue.
sourceGet around the city with these convenient transport options.
Rail
About 8 minutes; the arena station is on the Leamington–Nuneaton line.
Taxi / ride-hail
Use the arena drop-off rather than residential streets.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Standard Visitor visa | Visitors from visa-national countries attending a trade show or business meetings | $150.00 | around 3 weeks |
Many EU, US, Canadian and Commonwealth passport holders can visit visa-free for short business trips; check GOV.UK before booking.
The UK accepts ATA carnets for temporary exhibition goods; confirm the goods schedule with your chamber before shipping.
Official visa pageWeather
May is mild and changeable: daytime highs around 17°C, lows around 8°C, with frequent showers and gusty wind on exposed routes.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
UK mobile coverage is strong on 4G/5G; venue Wi-Fi is available in public areas. EU roaming rules no longer apply, so check your plan before using data.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Queueing and personal space
Britons queue politely and expect the same at badge desks, coffee counters and taxi ranks; pushing in is poorly received.
Tipping and pub etiquette
Restaurant bills often include a 10–12.5% service charge; in pubs you order and pay at the bar, and tipping is optional.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: BHX (Birmingham Airport)
Book 6–10 weeks ahead; arrive the day before to protect against weather delays and use the free pre-booked parking or the Coventry Arena train.
Book flightsCheck GOV.UK before travel. Many short business visits are visa-free, but visa nationals need a Standard Visitor visa before flying.
Estimated cost: USD 150
Processing: around 3 weeks
Carry an invitation letter, stand confirmation and hotel booking for the border. ATA carnet guidance is separate for goods.
OfficialPartnerGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: From BHX take a train to Coventry (about 15 minutes) then the Coventry Arena train or a taxi; direct taxi is about 25–30 minutes.
Hotel → venue: City-centre hotels are 10–15 minutes by taxi or 15–20 minutes by bus; the arena has its own station.
Ride-hail: Uber and local operators serve Coventry; pre-book the return because demand spikes at close.
Public transit: Coventry Arena station is an 8-minute train from Coventry; local buses connect the city centre and retail park.
Parking: Free but pre-booked only. Visitors use Car Park A, overflow Car Park C; unbooked vehicles get a PCN.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May
Temperature: 8–17°C
Seasonality: Frequent spring showers; wind on exposed motorway approaches.
Packing: Pack a waterproof layer, comfortable shoes for concrete floors and a light jacket for the evening.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 1 — Wednesday 19 May 2027
Day 1 runs to 17:00 and carries the opening keynote and the fullest conference programme, so a single-day visitor gets more sessions and more exhibitor availability before stand teams tire. Day 2 closes at 16:30 and is better for short follow-up meetings.
Register free and book parking — Use the 2027 registration link when it opens; parking must be pre-booked or a PCN follows.
Build a shortlist of exhibitors and sessions — Ask the Traffex Concierge for exhibitors covering your product area.
Book travel and hotel — Arrive 18 May; Coventry hotels tighten during show week.
Confirm meetings and download badge — Share your mobile number and agree a stand meeting point.
Check weather and plan the route — Allow 30 minutes from Coventry station or the car parks.
Arrive, clear badge check and collect the show guide
CBS Arena main entranceWalk the maintenance and surfacing aisles before crowds build
Exhibition hallAttend a costed delivery case-study session
Main stageLunch and supplier meetings with pre-booked stands
Arena concourse and exhibitor standsStratford-upon-Avon
Half Day
About 40 minutes by car
Shakespeare birthplace, riverside walks and a change of pace after the show.
Warwick Castle
Half Day
About 30 minutes by car
Major heritage attraction with mediaeval architecture and gardens.
Arena concourse bars
On-site
Busy at close; good for quick follow-ups with exhibitors.
Coventry city centre
Off-site
Cathedral quarter pubs and restaurants for dinner meetings, 10–15 minutes by taxi.
UK road buyers often need costed evidence and framework references before they can shortlist. Fast, specific follow-up keeps you in the evaluation set while the project team is still forming its options.
Budget
Shell scheme
GBP 330–670 / m²
Raw space
GBP 400–800 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
The organiser printed guide ranges in the 2027 FAQ; raw-space per sqm is derived and should be treated as an estimate.
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 stand
exhibitor · 9 sqm
GBP 3000–6000 / per stand
Hotel
both · mid
USD 150–220 / per night
Per diem
both · standard
USD 50–80 / per day
Airfare
visitor · economy
USD 180–900 / return
Visa
visitor · standard visitor
USD 150 / per person
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shell scheme stand | exhibitor | 9 sqm | GBP 3000–6000 / per stand | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Hotel | both | mid | USD 150–220 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Per diem | both | standard | USD 50–80 / per day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Airfare | visitor | economy | USD 180–900 / return | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Visa | visitor | standard visitor | USD 150 / per person | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions to decide whether to visit, exhibit or skip Traffex 2027.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your main role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You need to compare suppliers, see demonstrations and attend costed case studies for an active project.
Best for
Local authority, contractor or consultant buyers with a live scheme
Timeline
1 day; register by February 2027
Risks
Too many stands for one day
Parking not pre-booked
exhibit
You can staff a 9 sqm stand for two days and follow up UK leads within 48 hours.
Best for
Suppliers with UK references and a product ready for public procurement
Min. budget
$6,000.00
Timeline
Book 3–6 months ahead; submit stand plans 60 days out
Risks
UK-centric audience
Weak follow-up wastes leads
skip
Your products are not specified in the UK, or you cannot commit resource in May 2027.
Best for
Vendors with no UK route to market or no capacity to follow up
Timeline
Reassess for 2028
Risks
Missing competitor activity
Losing a framework conversation
Book with
Coventry Building Society Arena
The CBS Arena exhibition and conference complex hosts Traffex, Parkex and Cold Comfort on one floor.
Venue named on the official Traffex pages; partnership wording not claimed.
Birmingham Airport
The closest major airport, about 20–30 minutes from Coventry, with onward rail and road links.
Travel gateway suggested by the official plan-your-trip page; not an announced partner.
Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
Regional business body supporting companies exhibiting and trading in Coventry and Warwickshire.
Local business resource; not an announced event partner.
Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT)
Professional body for highways and transport practitioners, relevant to the CPD-accredited content.
Professional body referenced in the event content context; not an announced partner.
Recommended providers
Official Standard Visitor guidance; apply well before travel if a visa is required.
Coventry city centre and arena-area hotels; free cancellation is worth the small premium during show week.
Compare flights to Birmingham (BHX) and Heathrow; book 6–10 weeks ahead.
UK customs broker and exhibition freight; confirm the appointed venue handler before booking.
Business travel and public liability cover; check exhibition-specific exclusions.
Local itineraries for Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick and Coventry Cathedral.
Badge-scan and lead-capture alternative if you do not use the show scanner.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
4
References
1
Publishers
4
Date checked
Hemming Group Ltd
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
