Our comprehensive guide to exhibiting at the Health and Safety Event 2027
Make the most out of your exhibition stand at the Health and Safety Event
27-29 April 2027, NEC Birmingham
The Health and Safety Event is the UK’s biggest trade show for health and safety professionals, giving Health & Safety professionals the chance to explore new products, gain practical insights and stay up to date with industry standards.
The 2027 show is happening from 27-29 April 2027 at the NEC, Birmingham. Whether you’re a seasoned Health and Safety pro or are attending for the first time, here’s what you can expect.
Need a price for your Health and Safety Event 2027 stand
Returning to the NEC Birmingham, the Health & Safety Event 2027 brings together the people, products and expertise shaping the future of occupational health and safety. The trade show is expected to attract more than 400 H&S professionals from every corner of the industry. And if you’re planning on coming, you can expect a packed programme of training sessions, live demonstrations and the latest innovations in workplace safety improvements.
It also attracts visitors with strong buying influence, with 90% saying the event is critical to their business. And with an estimated 83% in senior management or C-suite roles, it makes this event a prime opportunity to launch new products, showcase services, and meet decision-makers.
After an impressive footfall of 14,500+ in 2026, the 2027 event looks set to be bigger and better than ever, with major brands, suppliers and safety specialists already confirmed to return, and demand for stand space continuing to rise.
Don’t miss your chance to join them – book your stand at the Health and Safety Event today!
The old saying “fail to prepare, prepare to fail” is never more accurate than when planning an exhibition – especially if the event is going to cost you a lot of money. So, how do you make exhibiting at the Health and Safety Event 202 7a success?
First, you need to decide what you want to achieve and weigh this up against the cost of exhibiting. With floor space somewhere between £250m² and an eye-watering £1250m², you really need to get this nailed down.
Next, determine budgets. You need a budget for the floorspace and the exhibition stand itself. There’s no point blowing your entire event budget on a huge stand space and then having no money left for anything else. Make sure you balance the size of the stand vs. how you want your stand to look and feel, as well as the impression you want to make with your target customers.
Then, ask yourselves, “Who do we want to meet at the show?”. Work out who you want to talk to – and how many of them. Whether that’s making 50 new leads to follow up post-show, or to meet and engage with 10 decision-makers ready to purchase on the spot? You might exceed your target, but you’ll never really know whether the show has been successful if you don’t have some goals in mind.
And finally, make sure you give plenty of thought to your exhibition brief – the document you’ll use to tell your internal team, or your exhibition partner if you’re using someone like us to create your stand, exactly what you want from it. This will range from the size, shape and big picture design, to the smaller details like where you’re going to store surplus products or brochures.
We’ve worked with loads of growing SMEs, specialist brands, and even household names who were all in the position you are in now (the “This-is-overwhelming-I-don’t-even-know-where-to-start” phase!), and found our guide on how to write the perfect exhibition stand brief really helpful.
Make sure the Health and Safety Event gets off to the best possible start with a tip-top stand brief.
We’ve seen first-hand how varied spaces and stand designs can be at the Health and Safety Event.
“Our advice is that it’s not worth spending 90% of your budget on your space and leaving yourself with hardly any options on what you can do with your stand.
“Even the scales out; budget for a smaller stand which looks great, rather than going big on floor space for the sake of it.”
David Hennessy, Motive Exhibitions Managing Director
We understand how important it is for companies in this sector to have an exhibition stand which works with their values and is tailored to a highly qualified audience.
With years of experience behind us, we know that no two businesses are the same. That’s why our exhibition stands are fully customised for your brand, audience, and goals.
We don’t do one-size-fits-all, but we do know what’s been effective or done before at past shows, meaning that with our help, you will definitely stand out from the crowd. Each exhibition stand we build is designed to attract your specific ideal customers and partners.
Make your the Health and Safety Event goals a reality with a Motive Exhibitions stand
Exhibition stands we can build at the Health and Safety Event
The NEC is a modern and extensive exhibition venue and makes the perfect backdrop for any trade show stand, big or small.
If you’re planning on exhibiting, here are our recommendations for stand types to consider ahead of the Health and Safety Event.
Bespoke exhibition stands – or ‘custom’ exhibition stands – are designed to a defined set of brand requirements and business objectives, usually for one, specific event.
A bespoke option ensures that all-important creative flexibility at a busy venue like The NEC. And at a popular event like the Health and Safety Event, a bespoke stand is the best way to stand out from the crowd and create something irresistible to your niche target audience.
Modular exhibition stands are great if you need a cost-effective, adaptable stand system that could be more easily used at multiple venues or stand sizes.
They consist of many pieces that link together to create a seamless display and provide the ultimate in exhibiting flexibility without compromising on visual impact.
These budget-friendly options are a winner at a venue like the NEC, where floor space comes at a premium price, but you don’t want to compromise on big-impact design or the opportunity for meaningful conversations with your audience.
Shell schemes are traditionally the smallest exhibition stand systems and are cost-effective (which can be important in venues like the NEC, where floor space comes with a premium price tag!)
But don’t be put off by their small size – your imagination is the only limitation of a shell scheme stand. If this is your first foray to the Health and Safety Event, a shell scheme stand is the ideal way to exhibit.
Exhibition stand hire
If you aren’t quite sure what your future events calendar will look like, and can’t commit any budget to buying an exhibition stand, you can still get involved thanks to our extensive hire service.
Some of our clients hire a whole stand, while others hire small elements like furniture. You can even create a hybrid stand design by combining custom-made props and elements with hired off-the-shelf products. Cost-effective and sustainable, hiring is a great exhibition option, particularly if this is your first big show. It’ll give you a chance to get a feel for what will work for your business, before you decide to invest in a stand of your very own.
Can’t decide which stand to opt for?
Everything you need to know about exhibiting at the NEC, Birmingham
We’ve built (and dismantled!) dozens of stands at the NEC.
The venue hosts some of the country’s biggest exhibitions, so the key to making the Health and Safety Event (or any other event at the NEC for that matter!) a success for your business will be getting noticed amongst the other 400+ businesses vying for visitor attention. This often comes down to location. Got budget? Aim for a stand right in front of the main doors. Another (albeit also a pricey option) is a spot near a presentation area for maximum visibility. If you’re looking for a cost-effective space, the back wall is a good option as that’s usually where the toilets are, so you’re guaranteed footfall.
The NEC is a fantastic, modern event and exhibition space, so there isn’t much to complain about. But, as with every facility, there are a few things to be aware of before you arrive.
Based on our experiences at the venue, our team has put together the pros and cons you should consider.
Pros of exhibiting at the NEC:
- All stands are located on the main show floor, ensuring high footfall – this is great for networking and boosting your brand visibility.
- A variety of stand spaces are available, ranging from large, custom-built exhibition stands to smaller, flexible shell schemes.
- It’s the UK’s most central major exhibition venue, so getting here is a doddle.
- The venue and its events draw a high volume of potential customers.
- Free parking is provided for exhibitors and contractors during setup and teardown.
- Complimentary shuttle buses run between the car parks and exhibition halls.
- Free visitor Wi-Fi is available.
- It’s just minutes away from a wide range of hotels to fit any budget.
Cons of exhibiting at the NEC:
- Booking floor space can be pricey.
- Once you’re there, expect high costs – your lunch can get pricey!
- The Voyage Traffic Control System can be a hassle.
- There are no storage facilities on-site, so you’ll need to arrange separate storage for packing cases and other materials.
- If you’re not working with an exhibition company, you’ll need to bring your own logistics equipment (trolleys, pump trucks, etc.) since the venue doesn’t provide them. If you work with us, though, the project costs will cover everything you need to get set up on site.
- Smaller stands might get overlooked in such a large space, but don’t let this put you off; with clever stand design and the right exhibition partner and spot, you can wow the crowds regardless of your stand size.
Motive has been the very best exhibition stand builder I have worked with. The designs are brilliant, high quality and the build is always on time. We have used Motive at three shows now and will continue to into the future. The team is amazing, super helpful and quick to respond to emails. Highly recommended.”
Grace Williams, Excool
Clients we work with
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FAQs
Do you have any other clients exhibiting at the Health and Safety Event?
Yes we do.
But don’t think that means you won’t get excellent service! All of our clients get the same level of project management and logistical support whether we’ve worked with them before or are brand new.
How much do exhibition stands cost?
Several factors will influence the cost of your exhibition stand, including:
- The size of the space you’ve booked.
- Whether you anticipate your event to be a one-off exhibition or whether you need an exhibition stand you can reuse and reconfigure multiple times.
- What you want to achieve from exhibiting.
- Whether you’re hiring or buying.
We’ll collaborate with you to create a design that both meets your exhibiting goals and fits within your budget.
Who attends the Health & Safety Event
The Health & Safety Event is where the UK’s safety community comes together.
Across three busy days at the NEC Birmingham, thousands of health and safety professionals including HSE leaders, compliance managers, risk specialists, facilities teams and senior decision-makers connect, learn and discover the latest innovations designed to improve workplace safety.
The event spans dedicated zones covering PPE, safety technologies, training, wellbeing, environmental protection and more, alongside co-located shows: The Fire Safety Event, The Security Event and National Cyber Security Show. It attracts major brands and industry leaders showcasing new products, solutions and hands-on demonstrations.
And next year is set to be another standout year. With 90% of visitors saying the event is critical to their business and 83% in senior management or C-suite roles, it remains one of the most effective platforms to network with influential buyers, launch new products and generate high-value leads.
Do you have exhibition stand ideas for The Health & Safety Event?
If you’re exhibiting at The Health & Safety Event, your stand needs to do more than look good. Visitors are senior decision-makers who value practical learning, credible expertise and solutions that genuinely improve workplace safety.
Here are some ideas to help your stand cut through the noise and attract the right conversations.
Create interactive, engaging experiences
Hands-on demos work brilliantly at this show. Let visitors test equipment, try out software or see your product in action. You can also build engagement through simple games or competitions, or introduce multi-sensory displays to create an immersive experience that makes your brand more memorable than your competitors.
Showcase products clearly and confidently
Put your hero products front and centre and use targeted lighting to highlight key features. Digital screens are ideal for rotating messages, product walk-throughs or customer case studies. If you have more detailed information to share, interactive touchscreens let visitors explore it at their own pace without waiting for staff. Give them the chance to input their contact details to access valuable lead magnets that demonstrate your expertise and build relationships.
Make space for comfort and conversations
A small lounge or seated area goes a long way at a busy show like this. It gives visitors a reason to pause, recharge and talk to your team. You could also host short expert sessions or mini workshops on relevant industry topics to offer extra value and position your brand as a trusted authority. Consider offering refreshments or food to help prolong meaningful conversations, as well as drawing people in.
Get your branding and layout working hard
Keep your messaging short, clear and instantly easy to understand. Use lighting creatively to guide attention and design an open, welcoming layout that encourages people to step in rather than walk past. Consistent branding across graphics, screens and staff uniforms helps your stand feel polished and professional.
Show your commitment to sustainability
If sustainability matters to your business, reflect it in your design choices. Reusable or modular structures, recycled materials and digital resources (instead of stacks of printed brochures) all show you’re serious about reducing waste.
Motive Exhibitions, 3 Orion Court, Ambuscade Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St. Neots, PE19 8YX
