At Allotts, we’re all about helping you make the most of the opportunities ahead to power your marketing, sales and growth.

So, here’s your guide to the best trade shows and exhibitions in 2023.

But before we get to those crucial diary dates, here’s a reminder of why trade shows and exhibitions matter, and can make a big difference to your business growth, especially with the current headwinds buffeting the economy.

Four reasons why trade shows and exhibitions are important

1. Sales/lead generation – they give you a platform to market to your prospects and generate new leads/sales. Attending and exhibiting at shows with high visitor numbers gives you access to a large pool of potential leads.

2. Networking and building your brand – the saying people buy people is so true. And so networking face-to-face is crucial for growing your business and raising brand awareness because they’re the perfect place to get interest and buy in from the people you meet. Plus, once you meet face-to-face, you’re no longer someone at the end of the phone or tucked away in a spam folder – you become ‘real’ and someone people want to interact with.

3. Gaining competitive edge/insights – attending a trade show or exhibition is one of the best ways for you to stay ahead of your competition, especially during a downturn. You’ll often find trade shows are used as testing grounds for new products, processes and ideas. You can test your innovations, but also survey what your competitors are doing now and in the future.
4. Customer outreach – every business knows that to keep customers you must continue to invest in that relationship and work to keep that business. After all, it costs more to find new customers than keep your existing ones, and no one wants to lose business. Plus, it gives you a chance to upsell to people who have already bought into your brand.

MAY

 

Interpack

When: 4-10 May

Where: Messe, Düsseldorf, Germany

Sectors: Packaging, processing, distribution

An important international event for packaging and associated industries, Interpack showcases packaging, processing and distribution solutions from the food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial goods sectors. Hot topics at this year’s show will be the circular economy, resource conservation, digital technologies and product safety.

Find out more about Interpack 2023 here

FABTECH

When: 16-18 May

Where: Centro Citibanamex, Mexico City, Mexico

Sectors: Metal forming technology

FABTECH is an exhibition for the metalworking industry in Latin America. Hundreds of brands come together at the show every year to display the latest technology, machinery and solutions in the metal manufacturing industry. A programme of speakers also runs alongside the exhibition, with presentations from organisations discussing best practice and the latest industry developments.

Find out more about FABTECH here

JUNE

 

Maintec

When: 7-8 June

Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Sectors: Manufacturing, maintenance engineering

Widely considered the event of the year for the UK’s maintenance engineering community, Maintec welcomes thousands of professionals from the buildings, supply chain and industrial maintenance sectors. Industries represented cover a wide spectrum and include engineering, manufacturing, automotive, utilities, oil and gas, food and drink, energy ports and marine, and rail. In recent times, Maintec has become part of a whole week of manufacturing and engineering exhibitions and seminars, and is now co-located with the following shows (see below) so there are big opportunities for networking and lead generation for everyone involved in the wider sector.

Learn more about Maintec here

Design Engineering Expo

Engineering Expo

Manufacturing Expo

Multimodal 2023

When: 13-15 June

Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Sectors: Freight, transport, logistics and supply chain

Multimodal is firmly established as the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe’s premier freight transport, logistics and supply chain management event. Multimodal represents every logistics sector, including sea, road, rail, air and inland waterways, under one roof, and key verticals, including: manufacturing, retail, agribusiness, chemical, pharmaceuticals, construction, real estate, recycling, paper/print and perishables and more.

Find out more about Multimodal here

ATX East

When: 13-15 June

Where: Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, US

Sectors: Robotics and automation

ATX East is a key sourcing home for the eastern US for hundreds of suppliers in the robotics and automation industries. Automation, 3D printing, robotics, assembly, smart manufacturing equipment and motion control are well represented at the show which is the largest of its kind in the region. Robotics and automation solutions for medtech, packaging, product design, plastics, and quality assurance can all be found at ATX East, which brings together engineers, designers, and decision-makers in the industry.

Find out more about ATX East here

Plantworx

When: 13-15 June 2023

Where: East of England Arena, Peterborough, UK

Sectors: Construction, hire

Plantworx is the UK’s largest live working construction event and a huge opportunity for worldwide construction equipment manufacturers to introduce the latest plant technology to the UK construction industry. The event typically attracts around 15,000 visitors, from a variety of construction sectors such as plant and tool hire, civil engineering, groundworks, contractors, utilities, highways, demolition and many more.

Learn more about Plantworx here

FIME

When: 21-23 June

Where: Miami Beach Convention Center, Florida, USA

Sectors: Medical devices and technology

FIME hosts the biggest names in medical technology from around the world, and is the largest show of its kind across the USA and Latin America. The exhibition typically hosts around 500 suppliers and manufacturers of new and refurbished medical devices and equipment, offering attendees the opportunity to witness the latest technology and make valuable business connections.

Learn more about FIME here

AUGUST

 

TILOG LogistiX 2023

When: 23-25 August

Where: BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand

Sectors: Logistics

A major event in the calendar for logistics professionals in East Asia, TILOG LogistiX is the most comprehensive show of its kind in the region. It covers all aspects of the sector, including material handling, packaging, warehousing, logistics IT and transporting. As the needs of customers in this sector continue to transform, TILOG LogistiX gives exhibitors the opportunity to get their latest technology in front of over 10,000 visitors to the show from across the ASEAN region.

Find out more about TILOG LogistiX here

SEPTEMBER

 

London Packaging Week

When: 21-22 September

Where: ExCel London

Sectors: Packaging

This exhibition offers four events for brands in key packaging markets luxury goods, FMCG, beauty and premium drinks. It is an opportunity to source the latest packaging solutions and connect with new suppliers. Hundreds of the world’s biggest suppliers and thousands of designers, packaging developers, marketers and buyers are expected to attend.

PPMA Show 2023

When: 26-28 September

Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Sectors: Processing and packaging machinery

Taking place during the last week in September, the PPMA Show is the UK’s largest event for processing and packaging machinery, robots and industrial vision. It showcases the very latest in processing and packaging machinery, robotics and industrial vision systems, and the latest innovations in materials, containers and packaging design. Sectors include food, beverage, pharmaceuticals, household products and toiletries, FMCG, contract packers and more. The show invites visitors to network, source new ideas and solutions and meet potential new suppliers, influencers and technical experts. It’s expected to attract around 8,000 visitors, more than 2,500 brands and over 400 exhibitors.

Find out more about PPMA Show 2023 here

OCTOBER  

 

Anuga 2023

When: 7-11 October

Where: Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany

Sectors: Food and beverage technology

Anuga 2023 is one of the world’s most renowned trade fairs for food and beverage in the food processing and packaging machinery industry. It typically welcomes around 170,000 visitors and more than 8,000 exhibitors. Anuga promotes innovations covering all aspects of the industry including processing, packaging, filling, packaging materials, digitalisation and logistics.

Discover more about Anuga 2023 here

NOVEMBER

 

Advanced Engineering

When: 1-2 November

Where: NEC, Birmingham, UK

Sectors: OEMs, engineering including medical, manufacturing, supply chain

Advanced Engineering is a wide-ranging trade fair for the entire OEM, engineering, manufacturing and supply chain sectors with a focus on innovation, future-proofing and technologies for supply chain continuity. Top brands showcase the technology of the future. Visitors can benefit from the show’s hugely successful AE Connect portal – an online business matchmaking system that allows visitors and exhibitors to search attendees, connect and book meetings.

Learn more about Advanced Engineering here

Take a look at part one here

Planning to exhibit at a trade show next year? We are the experts in industry PR and marketing and are here to help you raise your profile pre and post event. Get in touch with our team to find out how we can help you make your mark at trade shows and exhibitions in 2023 and beyond.

Hosting an event and want to be included in this guide? Get in touch with Emily at emily@allottandassociates.co.uk