Top Exhibition Venues in the UK: How to Choose the Right One for Your Brand
Selecting the perfect exhibition venue can make or break your brand’s presence at a trade show. With countless options across the UK, from historic halls to cutting-edge conference centres, finding the right fit requires careful consideration of your specific needs, audience, and objectives.
Whether you’re a startup making your debut or an established brand refreshing your exhibition strategy, this guide will walk you through the UK’s premier venues and, more importantly, help you determine which one aligns best with your goals.
What to Consider When Choosing an Exhibition Venue
Before diving into our venue showcase, let’s establish the criteria that truly matter for your exhibition success:
- Location and Accessibility: Your venue’s location directly impacts attendance. Consider proximity to major transport links, available parking, and whether your target audience can easily reach the venue. Central locations typically draw larger crowds but come with premium pricing.
- Space and Layout Flexibility: Different exhibitions demand different configurations. Some brands thrive in intimate settings, while others need vast halls for elaborate displays. Consider not just square footage, but also ceiling height, natural lighting, and whether the space can be customised to reflect your brand identity.
- Technical Capabilities: Modern exhibitions often require sophisticated technical support. Evaluate the venue’s Wi-Fi capacity, power supply options, AV equipment, and whether they can accommodate interactive displays or live demonstrations.
- Budget Considerations: Beyond the hire fee, factor in additional costs like catering, security, parking, and any required venue services. Some venues offer comprehensive packages that may provide better value than à la carte pricing.
The UK’s Top Exhibition Venues
1. ExCeL London
ExCeL stands as Europe’s most versatile venue. It is directly linked to London City Airport and served by the DLR, which is remarkably accessible for international exhibitors and visitors.
Location: Located in the heart of London’s Royal Docks
Size: 100,000m²
Features: It offers flexible event space. Its two enormous halls can accommodate everything from intimate gatherings to massive international trade shows.
The venue’s column-free spaces provide unlimited creative freedom for stand design, while its on-site hotels eliminate accommodation headaches for multi-day events.
Best suited for: Large-scale international trade shows, tech exhibitions, and brands targeting a global audience.
2. NEC Birmingham
Central to the UK, the NEC Birmingham offers unparalleled nationwide reach and is built for exhibitions of any scale.
Location: Birmingham
Size: 186,000m²
Features: The venue’s standout feature is its versatility. It has 20 interconnected halls and you can book anything from a single hall to the entire complex.
The on-site amenities include hotels, restaurants, and even a lake, creating a self-contained exhibition ecosystem. Direct rail links mean London is just 70 minutes away, while Birmingham Airport sits literally next door.
Best suited for: National trade shows, industry-specific exhibitions, and brands seeking maximum UK market reach.
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3. Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow
Scotland’s largest exhibition centre brings together modern facilities with genuine Scottish hospitality.
Location: Glasgow
Size: 22,355m²
Features: The SEC campus includes the SEC Centre, SEC Armadillo, and the OVO Hydro, offering diverse spaces for different exhibition styles.
What makes SEC particularly attractive is its waterfront location along the River Clyde, providing a memorable backdrop for your event. The venue excels at combining exhibitions with conferences, making it ideal for educational or industry events where networking and learning go hand-in-hand.
Best suited for: Scottish and Northern UK markets, combined exhibition-conference events, and creative industries.
4. Manchester Central
Manchester’s emergence as the UK’s digital and creative hub makes this venue particularly appealing for innovative brands. The city centre location means delegates can easily explore Manchester’s vibrant culture, enhancing the overall event experience.
Location: Manchester
Size: 23,000m²
Features: Housed in a stunning Victorian railway station, Manchester Central perfectly balances historical grandeur with modern functionality. The dramatic arched roof creates an unforgettable first impression while providing a pillar-free exhibition space.
Best suited for: Creative and digital industries, brands targeting the North West market, and exhibitions requiring distinctive character.
5. Olympia London
With over 130 years of exhibition history, Olympia London offers a blend of heritage and innovation. Its recent renovations have modernised the space while preserving its iconic architecture.
Location: London
Size: 20,000m²
Features: Olympia attracts a sophisticated audience. With its Grand Hall, National Hall, and conference facilities, plus excellent underground connections, the venue allows for concurrent events, creating opportunities for cross-pollination between different industry sectors.
Best suited for: Consumer shows, luxury brands, and exhibitions targeting London’s professional demographic.
6. Telford International Centre
Located in the heart of the Midlands, Telford International Centre offers a refreshing alternative to the UK’s larger, busier exhibition hubs. Its central location, easy accessibility, and friendly atmosphere make it a favourite among organisers looking for a more personal and flexible event experience.
Location: Telford, Shropshire
Size: 15,000m² of event space across three versatile halls
Features: The venue is purpose-built, combining modern facilities with exceptional on-site support. It offers adaptable hall configurations, dedicated conference suites, and extensive parking. With hotels, restaurants, and leisure facilities within walking distance, it’s designed for convenience and comfort.
Best suited for: Mid-sized trade shows, B2B exhibitions, regional conferences, and brands seeking an affordable, high-quality venue that delivers big results without the big-city price tag.
7. Exhibition Centre Liverpool
Liverpool’s cultural renaissance and competitive pricing make the exhibition centre an attractive alternative to traditional exhibition hubs. As part of the ACC Liverpool complex on the UNESCO World Heritage waterfront, this venue combines exhibition space, conference facilities and an arena under one roof.
Location: Liverpool
Size: 8,100m²
Features: The hall offers complete flexibility with movable walls and variable configurations. The waterfront setting provides numerous hotels and restaurants within walking distance, simplifying logistics for exhibitors and attendees.
Best suited for: Regional trade shows, maritime and logistics industries, and brands seeking value without compromising quality.
8. P&J Live
Located in Aberdeen, Scotland, P&J Live is a state-of-the-art venue designed for large-scale events, offering a modern and flexible alternative to traditional exhibition spaces. Its central location, easy accessibility, and extensive facilities make it a favourite for organisers seeking high-capacity, high-impact events with professional support and a well-supported environment.
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Size: 9000m²
Features: Pillar-free exhibition halls, modular staging, motorised trussing, dedicated organiser offices, extensive parking with EV charging, and on-site hotels and eateries. It is also fully wheelchair accessible with lifts and accessible seating. The arena has a 10,000 all-seated capacity and a 15,000 standing/seated capacity.
Best suited for: Large-scale concerts, exhibitions, conferences, banquets, and gala dinners.
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How to Make the Final Call on Your Exhibition Venue
Know Your Audience: Start by mapping where your target customers are based. There’s little point booking a venue in Scotland if 80% of your audience lives in the South East. Don’t make this mistake of automatically defaulting to London. Regional venues often deliver better ROI through lower costs and less competition for visitor attention.
Study Your Competitors’ Choices: Take note of where your competitors typically exhibit. While it’s smart to appear at the same major industry shows to stay visible, consider exploring different regional or niche venues for smaller events. This approach helps your brand stand out and connect with audiences your competitors may be overlooking.
Think Beyond the Exhibition: The best venues enhance your brand story. A cutting-edge tech company might choose a modern, high-tech venue, while a heritage brand could benefit from a venue with historical significance. Consider how the venue’s image aligns with your brand positioning.
Evaluate Total Value: Compare venues holistically rather than on price alone. A slightly more expensive venue with better transport links might deliver higher visitor numbers, justifying the additional cost. Similarly, venues offering comprehensive support services might save money versus managing multiple suppliers.
Practical Tips for Venue Selection Success
- Book Early, But Stay Flexible: Popular venues book up months in advance, particularly for peak seasons. However, maintain some flexibility as venues often offer better rates for off-peak dates or last-minute bookings.
- Visit Before Committing: Photos rarely tell the full story. Visit shortlisted venues during another exhibition whenever possible to experience the space as attendees would. Pay attention to signage, flow between areas, and whether the facilities match the marketing materials.
- Negotiate Package Deals: Many venues offer more than just space. Negotiate comprehensive packages including catering, AV equipment, and marketing support. Bundling services often reduces overall costs and simplifies coordination.
- Check the Fine Print: Understand what’s included in the hire fee and what costs extra. Common surprises include cleaning charges, security requirements, and restrictions on external suppliers. Clarifying these details upfront prevents budget overruns.
How to Maximise Your Chosen Venue
Once you’ve selected your venue, success depends on making the most of the space:
- Early Planning: Secure the best stand positions by booking early and understanding the venue’s floor plan dynamics
- Local Partnerships: Leverage the venue’s local connections for PR opportunities and visitor promotion
- Venue Expertise: Tap into the venue team’s experience; they know what works in their space
- Test and Refine: If possible, use smaller events at the venue to test your setup before major exhibitions
Ready to Find the Right Exhibition Venue for Your Brand in the UK?
Choosing among the UK’s exhibition venues isn’t about finding the “best” venue; it’s about finding the best venue for your specific needs. While ExCeL London might be perfect for an international technology showcase, a regional consumer brand might achieve better results at Telford International Centre or Liverpool Exhibition Centre.
Remember, the most successful exhibitions happen when there’s perfect alignment between your brand, your audience, and your chosen venue. With the UK’s diverse range of world-class exhibition venues, finding that perfect match is entirely achievable with thoughtful consideration and strategic planning.
Plus Exhibition empowers brands to make the most of every event. Whether you’re stepping into exhibitions for the first time or refining your existing strategy, we’re here to help with expert guidance and custom stands designed to get your brand noticed for all the right reasons.
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