There is no shortage of pressures facing UK engineering and manufacturing. Skills shortages remain stubborn, supply chains are being rethought in response to geopolitical instability, and AI is rapidly moving from possibility to application. At the same time, new materials and net zero priorities are reshaping decisions across design, production and investment.

What is often less clear is where those issues come together in one place.

Returning to the NEC Birmingham on 4 and 5 November 2026, Advanced Engineering has opened visitor registration for its 17th edition. At a time when businesses are looking not only for new technologies, but for clearer direction and stronger connections, the event continues to provide a meeting point for the UK engineering community.

Where the industry connects

For many across the sector, Advanced Engineering is more than an event in the calendar. It is where engineers, manufacturers, technology developers and supply chain specialists come together to understand what is changing, what is emerging and what demands attention next.

Engineering is no longer shaped within neat sector boundaries. Aerospace, automotive, defence, electronics, energy, advanced materials, composites and manufacturing technology are increasingly connected by shared challenges and overlapping opportunities. Questions around productivity, resilience, supply chain security and digital adoption now move across the wider industrial landscape.

Stephen Phipson CBE, Chief Executive Officer at Make UK, said: “I love coming to Advanced Engineering because it’s a great place to see some of the most advanced technologies being deployed in manufacturing right now. I’m especially interested in those related to AI, green technologies, and renewables – areas where we’re seeing high growth. This event is a fantastic showcase for cutting-edge innovation.”

Bringing the value chain together with UK Metals Expo

One significant development for 2026 is the event’s first-time co-location with UK Metals Expo. Together, the two events will create one connected experience across metals, composites, materials and advanced engineering, bringing more than 700 exhibitors and over 15,000 visitors to the NEC Birmingham.

More than a scale story, this reflects how engineering works in practice. By bringing both events together, the 2026 edition offers a broader, more joined-up view of the industrial landscape.

Simon Farnfield, Head of UK Manufacturing Cluster at Easyfairs, said: “Businesses do not need more noise; they need relevant conversations, trusted connections and practical insight. Whether the issue is AI, supply chain resilience, advanced materials, electronics or long-term capability, our focus is to create an event where the industry can come together to share knowledge, explore solutions and better understand what happens next.”

As the sector looks ahead, Advanced Engineering remains a place where the bigger picture can come into focus.

Further information on Advanced Engineering 2026, visit the event’s website.