Imagine a world without events. No exciting live product demonstrations, no game-changing business conferences, and no culture-redefining conventions. It’s impossible to picture, right?
Welcome to the heartbeat of human connection: the UK events industry. From the bustling stages of trade show conferences to the intimate boardrooms hosting crucial business seminars, trade events are the invisible infrastructure that moves our world.
We’re talking about an industry that’s more than just logistics and planning – it’s about creating experiences that resonate, inspire, and fundamentally change how we interact.
Despite global challenges that would have crushed lesser industries, events have survived and evolved. Each year, this resilient sector grows more, generating millions of jobs and driving economic impact that ripples across the country and Europe. It’s an ecosystem that touches every corner of the human experience, with technological innovation right at the forefront.
So, gather around and be prepared as we unpack the state of the British events industry in 2024. You don’t want to miss this!
Industry Overview: 2023 By The Numbers
- Some 1,016 exhibitions took place at UK venues in 2023 (a new high since 2017).
- Almost 7 million people visited these events in total.
- More than 80% of these UK business exhibitions were consumer or trade shows.
- One in five of these events fell under the UK leisure sector.
- Corporate events generated the most revenue, followed by sporting events, music festivals, and other outdoor shows.
- Almost half of all 2023 UK trade shows (49%) were held across four national event venues: the NEC, London Olympia, ExCeL London, and the SEC.
- March, September, October, and November were The busiest exhibition months for the UK in 2023.
- The UK corporate events industry contributes £10.9 billion to the UK economy.
Source: Events Industry Alliance
Trajectory and future insights – Event Industry Trends
With so many industries represented at business events throughout the year, it’s no surprise the performance of the UK events industry is closely linked with the performance of the British economy.
When national economic growth is sluggish, the events industry tends not to perform as well. Still, there remains a remarkable level of resilience in the industry and many are determined to keep the UK as an attractive destination for local, regional, and international exhibitions.
How has technology changed the event industry?
Technology has significantly transformed the events industry in recent years. The pandemic accelerated digital transformation, with virtual showrooms emerging to enable immersive online product showcases. Major trade shows adopted hybrid formats combining physical exhibitions with digital access for broader participation.
Hybrid events offer wider audience reach, reduced travel needs, and new ways to engage with content. Digital components and event technology also provide valuable attendee engagement and behaviour data. UK venues have upgraded their digital infrastructure to support hybrid capabilities like enhanced broadcasting and networking technologies.
Post-Pandemic Recovery: A Success Story
The pandemic accelerated digital transformation across the events industry. Virtual showrooms emerged as valuable tools, allowing exhibitors to showcase products through immersive online experiences. Major trade shows adapted by developing hybrid formats that combine physical exhibitions with digital access, enabling broader participation.
Hybrid events have demonstrated their lasting value beyond the pandemic. This dual-format approach offers multiple benefits: wider audience reach, reduced travel requirements, and new ways to engage with content. The digital components of hybrid events also provide valuable data on attendee engagement and behavior, helping organizers and exhibitors optimize their strategies.
UK venues have responded by upgrading their digital infrastructure to support hybrid capabilities. Leading venues now offer enhanced broadcasting facilities and networking technologies that enable seamless interaction between in-person and virtual participants. These investments reflect the industry’s commitment to embracing both traditional and digital exhibition formats.
Sustainability: a new focus
The planet is at risk. With global warming accelerating at an unprecedented scale, reducing waste is the least the UK events industry can do. Plus, embracing sustainability means more opportunities within the industry for newcomers to stand out.
At Booth Exhibits™, we’ve done just that by delivering some incredible sustainable exhibition stand materials and designs to clients. Our modular exhibition stands, featuring recyclable aluminium framing, can be re-used seamlessly from event to event.
Nor are we the only ones making big strides for the planet; the ExCeL in London made headlines in 2022 for becoming the first certified carbon-neutral events venue in the UK. Meanwhile, the London Olympia recycles 98% of its waste and provides event organisers with sustainability reports after every show
Logistics: challenges on the horizon
With the resumption of hostilities in the Middle East and the subsequent threat to cargo shipping, logistics has become another challenge for anyone involved with the UK events industry. Shipping costs, already high since the pandemic, have not decreased; this has increased difficulties for show organisers, exhibitors, and stand builders who rely on the industry supply chain to ensure every event runs smoothly.
As international exhibition stand builders, we at Booth Exhibits™ know all too well how any delays in logistics can ruin your participation in a major trade event. As a result, we pride ourselves on quick turnaround times and diligently sticking to schedule, because everyone’s reputation is on the line. That way, we can also avoid last-minute logistical hitches while committing to flawless execution at every step of the process.
Realise your full potential in the UK events industry
Things are looking up for the UK events industry, so why not consider taking part in a British trade show or conference in the future? With years of experience in the game and a hassle-free process from the get-go, Booth Exhibits™ is an exhibition stand builder in London committed to helping you achieve your business goals with an exhibition booth that truly stands out. Contact us today, and discover why our clients trust us to guide them through exhibition events in the UK.
Is the events industry growing in the UK?
Yes, the UK events industry is growing and rebounding after a decline during the pandemic.
How much is the event industry worth in the UK?
The combined UK event industry is worth around £40 billion, with corporate events contributing £10.9 billion to the UK economy alone.
