2026 is set to be a busy year for exhibitions and trade shows across the UK. From major halls at the NEC Birmingham and ExCeL London to specialist outdoor venues and sector-led conferences, the calendar is full of events where interactive stand engagement makes a real difference.
At Awesome Hire, we support exhibitors with practical, reliable stand entertainment. That usually means short-cycle games and challenges that draw people in, give them a reason to stop, and create a simple way to start conversations. For some brands that looks like reaction games such as Batak Lite Hire and Batak Pro Game Hire. For others it is prize mechanics such as Cash Grabber, Grab 'A' Grand Cash Cube Hire, and Ballnado Grabber. We also supply compact crowd-pleasers like Claw Machine and quick challenges such as Strike A Light Game.
Below are some of the biggest UK exhibitions we are looking forward to in 2026, and how our equipment typically supports exhibitors in those environments.
January: Agriculture and Education at Scale
LAMMA 2026 (14–15 January, NEC Birmingham)
LAMMA is one of the UK’s best-known agriculture and machinery exhibitions. With large crowds and a strong focus on equipment, services, finance, and innovation, it is the sort of show where exhibitors benefit from something that creates a steady stream of stand visits.
For high-traffic halls, Awesome Hire often recommends fast-turnaround challenges like Batak Pro Game Hire and Strike A Light Game, plus a simple giveaway mechanic such as Custom Spin The Wheel if you want a clear reason for visitors to stop and share contact details.
Bett and The Education Show (21–23 January, ExCeL London)
Bett is busy, time-pressed, and full of product conversations. This tends to suit compact equipment that delivers short interactions and does not disrupt stand layout. A strong pairing for education and technology stands is Batak Lite Hire for quick leaderboards, backed up by desk-friendly challenges like Catch It Reaction Ring or Plinko Game.
February: Retail and Seasonal Buying
Spring Fair (1–4 February, NEC Birmingham)
Spring Fair draws a broad retail audience, with buyers moving quickly between stands. In that setting, the goal is usually to get people to pause for a minute, speak to your team, and leave with a clear reason to follow up.
Prize-driven options can work well here, including Claw Machine, Prize Crane Claw Machine, and Custom Branded Crack The Code Safe Cracker. These give you a structured way to offer rewards without slowing down the aisle.
March: Built Environment, Publishing, and Sustainability
Futurebuild (3–5 March, ExCeL London)
Futurebuild is a key event for sustainable construction and innovation. Many exhibitors want stand engagement that feels professional, clean, and easy to brand. For this type of event, Awesome Hire often provides compact challenges that can be used as a conversation starter, such as Strike A Light Game or Batak Lite Hire, plus a simple giveaway layer using Plinko Game or Custom Spin The Wheel.
The London Book Fair (10–12 March, Olympia London)
Publishing events often benefit from quieter, space-efficient engagement. Rather than loud, high-impact equipment, exhibitors tend to prefer simple challenges that create small groups and natural conversation. Options like Foosball Table or Ping Pong Table Hire can work well in hospitality areas, while compact interaction games such as Catch It Reaction Ring keep the footprint tight.
April: Engineering and Manufacturing
MACH 2026 (April, NEC Birmingham)
Engineering shows can be intense. Many attendees are technical decision makers with limited time, so the engagement needs to be quick and clear. Reaction-based competitions often work best, particularly Batak Pro Game Hire and Fast Feet for an active challenge that is easy to understand.
Where exhibitors want a prize hook that still looks tidy on a stand, the combination of Custom Branded Crack The Code Safe Cracker and Claw Machine gives visitors a reason to participate without requiring long explanations.
June: Outdoor and Industry-Led Exhibitions
Hillhead 2026 (23–25 June, Hillhead Quarry, Derbyshire)
Hillhead is outdoor, large-scale, and heavily focused on live demonstrations. Engagement here needs to be robust and easy to run repeatedly. Football and skill games often perform well at outdoor events, including Football Target Cage, Inflatable Penalty Shootout, and Footdarts.
For stands that want something simple but still competitive, Speed Cage gives a quick measurable result that encourages repeat attempts and creates a natural leaderboard without heavy administration.
Global Britain Trade Expo (11 June, QEII Centre, London)
Business-focused events often prioritise structured lead capture and quick stand conversations. That is where simple prize formats work well, including Custom Spin The Wheel, Plinko Game, and the high-visibility Cash Grabber when you need something that stops people in their tracks.
Food, Drink, and Hospitality Buying
IFE 2026 (co-located with HRC, ExCeL London)
IFE and HRC are busy, buyer-led shows, and many exhibitors want consistent stand traffic for sampling, meetings, and new product launches. A practical approach is to use an engagement game that cycles quickly while your team handles conversations and follow-ups.
For this kind of environment, Awesome Hire often supplies a mix such as Batak Lite Hire and Strike A Light Game, plus a giveaway option like Claw Machine or Plinko Game to support scanning badges or collecting contact details.
Construction and the Built Environment
UK Construction Week (UKCW, ExCeL London)
UK Construction Week is one of the UK’s largest trade shows for the built environment. With a broad mix of audiences, the most effective stand engagement tends to be straightforward games that work for a wide range of attendees.
Popular choices include Batak Pro Game Hire and Boxing Machine Hire for attention and competition, backed by easy social options like Foosball Table and Subsoccer 3 Football Game where you want visitors to stay on the stand for longer conversations.
September: Specialist and Niche Trade Shows
Four Oaks Trade Show (2–3 September, Cheshire)
Four Oaks attracts the commercial horticulture sector and a strong international audience. Clean, compact engagement often works best here. A sensible mix can include Batak Lite Hire, Catch It Reaction Ring, and Plinko Game for short interactions that do not interrupt product discussions.
Printing, Visual Communications, and Marketing
The Print Show and FESPA
Print and visual communications audiences respond well to branded stand activations. Games that can be themed to match a product launch or campaign perform particularly well, including Custom Branded Crack The Code Safe Cracker and Custom Spin The Wheel. For strong visual impact, exhibitors often choose Cash Grabber or Ballnado Grabber.
How Awesome Hire Supports Exhibitors
Across all these events, the aim is the same. Help your stand attract attention, manage visitor flow, and give your staff a simple way to start conversations. Awesome Hire supports single-game bookings, multi-game packages, and event-led competitions. Many clients also choose to add a giveaway mechanic using Claw Machine, Prize Crane Claw Machine, Plinko Game, or Custom Spin The Wheel.
If you are planning multiple shows during 2026, it can be helpful to standardise your approach. A consistent reaction challenge such as Batak Lite Hire or Strike A Light Game, paired with a prize option like Custom Branded Crack The Code Safe Cracker, allows you to repeat the same activation at different venues and compare engagement results across events.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the 2026 exhibition calendar develops, we will continue to share practical guidance on stand planning, recommended game combinations, and venue-specific considerations. If you are exhibiting at the NEC Birmingham, ExCeL London, or elsewhere in the UK, Awesome Hire can help you choose equipment that suits your stand size, audience, and event goals.
A good starting point is deciding whether your stand needs a quick reaction challenge like Batak Pro Game Hire, a prize-based hook such as Cash Grabber, or a more social setup with Foosball Table and Subsoccer 3 Football Game. From there, we can build a practical plan for your 2026 events.