An Insider’s Guide to UK Exhibition Venues for 2022
Whether you’re exhibiting or visiting an exhibition, its always good to know the best places to eat, drink and visit for your favourite UK Exhibition venues. Convention & exhibition centres can be soul-less places and at the end of a busy day of business meetings, and walking the floors, its good to get into natural daylight and experience what the area has to offer.
Our Tecna UK Insider Guide 2022 gives you the lowdown on some of the UK’s best exhibition venues and event spaces, and things to do nearby. We’ve picked the brains of the Tecna UK team to select some of our favourites things to do or more importantly eat, but part of the fun is trying out new places so make sure you get out and explore as a team.
Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre
Set alongside Farnborough International Airport, with its views over the runway, this conference and exhibition centre is the perfect choice for those looking for event venues who wish to link aviation and engineering to their event. Located just 30 minutes from Heathrow airport, 50 minutes from Gatwick and with quick links into London; Farnborough International is easily accessible and a great alternative to a central London event space. Unlike many venues, the exhibition centre has free parking for up to 3500 visitors, all securely gated, a unique proposition within the South.
The ease of access makes it very easy for exhibitors to set up their exhibition stands, and for easy loading and unloading. The airport location is one of the biggest draws of this venue and offers several benefits. One is the stunning views, and the access to an outside area which provides the perfect spot for a post event drinks reception with views over the runway. Another is the fact that it is a working airport site, the security is high – so the venue can make an ideal choice for those who need a higher level of security service.
Some of the best exhibitions at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in 2022:
Tecna UK Insider Tips:
The House chicken burger at the Aviator Hotel cannot be missed, and they are a safe pair of hands for vegetarians, or any GF requirements.
Did you know Tecna UK HQ is based down the road from Farnborough Exhibition Centre? Feel free to pop in for a cup of tea & check out our new Showroom & facilities whenever you are on site.
Tecna UK go to restaurants:
We love Aviator’s brasserie restaurant within the hotel. Alternatively try out out family owned Italian, Villa Bianca for the genuine taste of Italy, based nearby in Frimley.
Tecna UK Hotel Choice:
Check out the Aviator, Hampshire which is an independent, state of the art hotel in the perfect location next door to the venue. Aviator opened in 2008 as one of the most striking design hotels in recent times. The bedroom interiors are contemporary and comfortable with leather accented furniture, and bathrooms with black glass walls, granite vanity tops and chrome finishing. Sky Suites feature walk in wardrobes, generous bath tubs, Missoni blankets and space to lounge behind dark wood Venetian blinds. Guests can access the fitness studio from their rooms using a guest only stairwell. The lobby and atrium of the hotel offer One Eleven, the Brasserie and Sky Bar which overlook the private Farnborough airport.
NEC Birmingham Exhibition Venue
As the UK’s largest event venue in the UK, The NEC is a firm favourite for many major exhibitions, trade shows, and other large-scale international events given its flexible facilities. The venue’s location in the Midlands, means it’s widely accessible for a UK audience. For event organiser’s, the sheer scale of the NEC means that you can offer extremely flexible events. There are eighteen event halls, 32 conference suites, and 392 acres of flexible outdoors space.
This means that, budget permitting, you can really get creative with your event idea. The NEC really is a destination venue, so if you are attending as an exhibitor, there’s plenty to see and do once your day is over. From outlet shopping to choosing one of the twenty bars and restaurants or even having a flutter in the casino located within the NEC campus, there are some great mingling and networking opportunities to be had.
Some of the best exhibitions at NEC Birmingham Exhibition Venue in 2022
Tecna UK Insider Tips:
Before leaving the car park, look at where you have parked and where you need to go. Do you really need the shuttle bus, or is it quicker and easier to walk? Don’t forget to visit Resorts World Birmingham , for a wide selection of restaurants, bars and shops, cinema, Casino and Escape room. There’s even the Bear Grylls adventure park if you have the kids in tow.
Tecna UK go to restaurants:
Head to Weatherspoons for sustenance, over a wine or a beer. You can also use the pub for a quick meeting or network after show, or jump in a cab and go to Central Birmingham for wide array of food choices.
Tecna UK Hotel Choice:
The Crowne Plaza Hotel onsite, or Genting Hotel @ Resorts World just 5 minutes drive away.
ExCeL London Exhibition Venue
Normally host to the largest Exhibitions and live events, and based in the Royal Docks in East London, ExCel is a dedicated events and exhibition space which welcomes around 4 million visitors each year. With nearby City Airport, thirteen hotels within walking distance and three on site, and DLR stations which link quickly into the City and Canary Wharf, ExCeL is often the venue of choice for exhibitions and events which attract an international audience.
However, it’s not all about huge events. In addition to the vast halls, the venue has a number of smaller meetings spaces which are ideal for smaller events, training sessions and private meetings.
If you are attending an event, it’s worth bearing in mind that ExCeL has multiple, distinct entrances, which can be a little tricky to navigate, and doesn’t provide free parking, so always check your event info first.
Some of the best exhibitions at ExCeL London Exhibition Venue in 2022
- WTM
- MCM ComicCom
- BETT
- DSEI
- Infosecurity Europe(moved from Olympia)
Tecna UK Insider Tips:
Make sure you get there early. If you get some spare time you could climb the 02 nearby or travel by the Emirates air cable car , and get great views across the city. Consider booking a penthouse, or apartment with work mates if you are working a long show. You will get better value for money and a more relaxed, home from home end to the day.
Tecna UK go to restaurants:
Enjoy Spanish tapas with colleagues at
Tapa Tapa , or head to Canary Wharf for masses of options & cuisines.
Tecna UK Hotel Choice:
Choose Moxy for pet friendly, dockside situated mid range hotel that’s close by the airport. Aloft gives you a loft inspired boutique experience from the Marriott family, or upgrade completely with the Sunborn Yacht, offering absolute luxury and space to entertain clients post show.
Olympia London Exhibition Venue
The big draw (and the biggest drawback) of Olympia is its location in the heart of London , one of the most vibrant cities in the world. For those attending, Olympia is often considered an ideal venue for commuters, as Kensington Olympia station is right next to the venue, and has great connections to the tube network. It also has a range of conference rooms for a more intimate setting.
Parking in the location is limited, so this is a venue where it’s best to come via public transport. All exhibitor loading and unloading must be pre-booked, and can feel a little chaotic at times. However, while parking is off the menu, easy access to all that London has to offer post event is a true benefit of this venue. Olympia London is situated within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, so has a wealth of restaurants, bars and things to do all on its doorstep. For those looking to book a nearby hotel – there is a huge range of choice, from inexpensive B&Bs to 5*hotels, it’s all to choose from.
Some of the best exhibitions at Olympia London Exhibition Venue in 2022
Tecna UK Insider Tip:
They say more business opportunities are realised post event ‘networking’, than in the exhibition venue and the two places to head at Olympia are the
Hand & Flowers , the
Fuller’s Pub and Hotel in Hammersmith or The Beaconsfield nearby.
Tecna UK go to restaurants:
The perfect venue for a spot of dinner is The Bird in Hand , or the famous Piano Bar , on Kensington High Street, which also features great live music.
Tecna UK Hotel Choice:
K West Hotel & Spa, a Shepherd’s Bush hotel so cool that A listers frequently visit. Celeb spot & relax after a hard day on the show floor. Close by is shopping hotspot Westfield London, where you can pick up a few gifts or literally shop till you drop for yourself. Then recuperate in the spa and hit the bar.
Coventry Building Society Arena & Exhibition Venue (formerly Ricoh Arena)
Another Midlands favourite, the Coventry Building Society Arena is located within a 2hr drive of 75% of the UK population, making it a perfect UK exhibition destination.
Home to Premiership Rugby team Wasps, the stadium provides an exciting backdrop to any event, so it can be fun to soak in the sporting atmosphere within and around the venue. Hosting events from as few as seven delegates up to huge 7000, it’s a popular venue for organisations of all sizes and has a variety of halls and lounges available up to a collective 20,000sqm.
If you are attending the Coventry Building Society Arena, a trip into Coventry can be well worth a visit, it’s the City of Culture for 2021, and offers a plethora of places to while away your evening post event.
Tecna UK Insider Tip:
Take time out of work and drop into the Coventry Music Museum to find out more about 2-Tone and The Specials as well as other music legends connected to the city.
Tecna UK go to restaurants:
Visit NASHAA , a great Indian and Balti restaurant, just down the road so handy for venue and good quality fayre. Alternatively The Greyhound is the ideal place if you want a traditional country pub, with hearty classics, a 10 min drive away right next to the canal. Alternatively head into central Coventry where you can get any food you fancy at a range of price points.
Tecna UK Hotel Choice:
You can’t go wrong with the Doubletree by Hilton – all you need, at a mid range price and right next door to the exhibition venue.
Need Expo support last minute or more advice?
Luckily for you, we can help you out with more than just info on UK exhibition popular venues – and from start to finish. Tecna UK offer similar advantages of custom build style options, with the ease & versatility of a modular display system.
Our full turnkey solution will ensure you end up with a premium display solution without the hassle! Whether you need project management, design advice, site surveys, or installation, we cover it all end-to-end.
Don’t forget, if you only need your kit for a one-off event or for a short period, look at hiring it straight from our warehouse? It is a cost-saving alternative to purchasing and perhaps even greener!
Call 01932 570 770 or email sales@tecnauk.com to discuss what you need and how we can help.
Need advice on what can be included on your exhibition stand? Take a look at our ideas.
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