Advanced Engineering

The UK's biggest advanced manufacturing and engineering show — two days in Halls 3 and 3a at the NEC, with 400-plus exhibitors across aerospace, automotive, space, rail, maritime, energy and electronics. Free for qualified professionals, 18 and over.

Six CPD forums run alongside the floor, including a dedicated AI, Digitalisation and Automation track plus R&D and design engineering, clean energy and net zero, and people and skills. Speakers include Stephen Phipson (CEO, Make UK), Katherine Bennett CBE (High Value Manufacturing Catapult), Simon Rose (Airbus Defence & Space), Fatin Emre Gunes (Jaguar Land Rover), Ed Bower (Aston Martin Lagonda) and James Passemard (McLaren Accelerator). UK Metals Expo and Lab Innovations are co-located. 9:00 to 17:00 on the 4th, 9:00 to 16:00 on the 5th.

Why go: the digitalisation track is where Midlands manufacturers talk about what they have actually deployed rather than what they are evaluating. Best for anyone selling software or automation into industry, or running it inside one.