Advanced Engineering 2026 Breaks Attendance Records with 15.3% Growth and Strong Exhibitor Results

More than 10,000 attendees visit Advanced Engineering as exhibitors report high-quality leads, new business opportunities and strong industry engagement.

Advanced Engineering 2026 welcomed a record 10,482 attendees to the NEC Birmingham on 4–5 November, representing a 15.3% increase on 2025, as engineering and manufacturing professionals gathered for two days of business, technical discussion and industry collaboration.

The growth was reflected across the wider exhibition floor, with co-located UK Metals Expo recording 6,581 attendees, an increase of 23.8% year on year. Together with Lab Innovations, the three exhibitions attracted 16,128 unique attendees, creating opportunities for businesses to connect with customers, suppliers and potential partners across complementary industries.

Bringing together suppliers, manufacturers, engineers, researchers and technology developers from across the UK’s advanced engineering sectors, the exhibition provided a platform for companies to showcase new capabilities, develop commercial relationships and explore the technologies shaping the future of manufacturing.

The increase in attendance was matched by positive feedback from exhibitors, who reported consistently strong engagement, significant lead generation and new business opportunities.

Among them was motion plastics specialist igus, which reported more than 300 leads across the event, alongside new business secured during the show. Having exhibited at Advanced Engineering since 2024, the company has already booked a larger stand for 2027 to create additional space for customer meetings and discussions with prospective clients.

Harry Worts, Learning and Development Specialist for igus UK, commented: “Advanced Engineering continues to get better each year. We’ve been exhibiting since 2024, and this year’s event has generated more than 300 leads, plenty of valuable conversations and new business opportunities. It’s been a really successful two days for us, and we’ve already booked a larger stand for 2027 so we can create more space to meet customers and explore new opportunities.”

Zünd UK, another returning exhibitor, also reported sustained activity throughout both days, with Sales and Marketing Director John Kerr highlighting the number of new opportunities entering the company’s sales pipeline. The company welcomed the breadth of conversations taking place across the exhibition, as well as the opportunity to engage with visitors from the co-located UK Metals Expo. Kerr also praised the organisation of the technical forums and their distribution across the exhibition floor, which helped maintain a good flow of visitors throughout the event.
The exhibition’s Composites Networking Lounge also proved a valuable meeting point for industry. PRF Composite Materials reported strong engagement and high-quality leads, highlighting both the business opportunities generated and the support received from the Easyfairs team in developing the lounge as a space for industry connections.

Hannah Khusainova, Marketing Director at PRF Composite Materials, said: “Advanced Engineering has been a fantastic show for PRF. We’ve been consistently busy on both days, with a very high standard of conversation and some very promising new business opportunities to follow up on. The Composites Networking Lounge has been particularly successful, providing a great environment to connect with customers, suppliers and industry colleagues. The support from the Easyfairs team has been excellent, helping us to develop the lounge and make the most of the opportunities it offers. It’s been a really worthwhile two days.”

Beyond the exhibition stands, Advanced Engineering delivered an extensive technical programme bringing together industry leaders, researchers and technology specialists to address some of the most pressing challenges facing UK manufacturing. More than 200 speakers featured across six industry-focused forums, covering developments in aerospace, defence, automotive, electrification, composites, additive manufacturing, advanced materials, robotics, artificial intelligence and electronics. Discussions examined the opportunities and challenges facing manufacturers, from materials innovation and digital transformation to sustainability, skills and supply chain resilience, providing visitors with practical insights and opportunities to exchange knowledge across sectors.

Innovation and commercialisation also featured prominently in this year’s exhibition. The Enabling Innovation competition provided 12 selected start-ups and SMEs with an opportunity to showcase their technologies, culminating in a Dragons’ Den-style pitching competition.

Oxford RF was named the 2026 winner for its patented 360° radar sensor technology, which eliminates the need for spinning components and is designed to improve safety, reliability and cost of ownership. Developed in the UK, the technology offers opportunities across autonomous vehicles and robotics, providing reliable detection in challenging conditions including rain, snow, fog and dust. The win highlighted the potential for emerging British engineering businesses to address complex industry challenges and bring innovative technologies closer to commercial adoption.

Investor Day created additional opportunities for emerging businesses and technology developers to engage with the investment community, reinforcing the show’s role in connecting engineering innovation with the commercial expertise and support needed to bring new technologies to market.

The co-location of Advanced Engineering with UK Metals Expo and Lab Innovations further extended opportunities for cross-sector engagement. By bringing together businesses from complementary industries, the events enabled exhibitors and visitors to explore new applications, share expertise and establish connections beyond their traditional markets.

Simon Farnfield, Event Director, commented: “Welcoming more than 10,000 attendees to Advanced Engineering, with growth of over 15% compared with last year, is a fantastic result. What has been particularly encouraging is the feedback from exhibitors about the quality of conversations, new business opportunities and connections made throughout the two days.

“With more than 16,000 people attending the three exhibitions, we’ve demonstrated the value of bringing complementary industries together. It’s been particularly pleasing to see the level of engagement across the exhibition, forums, and networking areas, with visitors actively seeking solutions, suppliers, and partners. This is exactly what Advanced Engineering is designed to achieve, and we’re looking forward to building on this success in 2027.”

With exhibitors now progressing the conversations, leads and commercial opportunities generated across the two days, Advanced Engineering 2026 has demonstrated the continued importance of face-to-face engagement in bringing together the UK’s engineering and manufacturing communities. The event will return to the NEC Birmingham on 3–4 November 2027, building on this year’s record attendance and bringing together the technologies, expertise and businesses supporting the future of the industry.