Exhibiting at UK Construction Week, ExCeL London 2025
Make the most out of your exhibition stand at UKCW, London ExCel
7 – 9 May 2025, ExCel, London
UK Construction Week (or UKCW) is the UK’s largest built-environment trade show. And as experienced exhibition stand pros, we want to maximise your impact at this exciting event.
The 2025 show runs from 7-9 May at the ExCeL London. So, to help you get the most out of this fantastic exhibition, we’ve put all our insider knowledge on one page.
Read on for everything you need to know to make your UKCW 2025 a success.
Need a price for your UKCW 2025 exhibition stand?
UK Construction Week London is where the entire construction industry comes together.
Over three action-packed days, 18,000+ professionals – including architects, developers, contractors, government decision-makers, and suppliers – connect, collaborate, and discover the latest industry innovations.
The event spans multiple specialist sections, including Build X, Infrastructure Live, and Digital Construction, alongside co-located shows The Stone Show & Hard Surfaces, Onsite On Hire, The Offsite Show, and Grand Designs Live. UKCW attracts big-name brands like Highways England, Network Rail, Keltbray, NHS, Taylor Wimpey and Tesco.
And 2025 promises to be even bigger. With 84% of attendees being managers, owners, CEOs, or directors and 38% having purchasing authority, UKCW is the place to network with movers and shakers, and generate high-value leads.
Make sure you’re on the exhibitor list beside these big brands!
Don’t know where to begin? You’re not alone. Exhibiting at UKCW is a big investment, so to make your show experience a success, you want to get it right from the start.
To get a good return on your investment, think about what a successful show will look like for you – are you aiming for a certain number of leads? To close deals on site? Or for great footfall to raise brand awareness? Knowing your goal will help you plan a more effective stand.
Next, budget wisely. Your exhibition stand needs to balance size and impact – there’s no point booking a huge space if it leaves you with no budget for displays and branding. You want to strike a balance between having enough space and creating the right atmosphere. Small and interesting always beats big and sparse!
Now, think about how your stand will grab attention and draw people in. Will you showcase hands-on products? Use interactive displays? Feature sustainable materials? Try to create an engaging, memorable experience that reflects your brand and tells a clear story.
Who are you hoping to meet at UKCW? With construction booming in London and the South, the event attracts a broad mix of industry professionals, from tier-one contractors and architects to SME builders and large house building companies. Are you looking to collect 50 solid leads for follow-up or have in-depth conversations with a handful of key decision-makers? Setting a clear target will help you measure success and focus your strategy.
Finally, it’s time to put everything together in a detailed exhibition brief. Don’t skip this step! Because whether you’re managing everything yourself or working with a stand-building partner like us, thorough planning and thoughtful design will save you money, effort and avoid many, many potential headaches.
And if you need help bringing your ideas and plans together, we’re here to help. Our handy briefing guide walks you through every step; it’s been a lifesaver for many of our clients!
ExCel London is an exhibition destination we take clients to on an almost weekly basis. We’re always looking at materials, new products and suppliers – working out what’s really worth it’s salt. It matters to us that our clients’ stands are built with the most sustainable, reusable options out there.
“We design with repurposing in mind, so stands can be reused time and again or hired for a one-off. Like our construction clients, we’re all about reducing waste and making the most of what we’ve got.”
David Hennessy, Motive Exhibitions Managing Director
We’ve taken multiple brands to UKCW in the last few years. So, we understand how important it is for companies in this sector to have an exhibition stand which a) works with their values and b) 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, and we know what’s been effective or done before at past shows, so 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.
And yours will be, too!
Promote your core values with a highly sustainable Motive Exhibitions stand.
Exhibition stands we can build at UKCW 2025
ExCeL London is one of Europe’s premier exhibition spaces with many different options on their floorplan menu, so the sky’s the limit when it comes to creative design.
Here are some stand types to help you plan ahead of UK Construction Week 2025.
Bespoke exhibition stands – also known as ‘custom’ exhibition stands – are crafted specifically for your event and tailored to meet your unique business and branding needs.
If budget allows, why not take advantage of ExCeL London’s expansive layout with a bespoke double-deck exhibition stand?
Modular exhibition stands are like giant LEGO sets for trade shows.
They’re a cost-effective and flexible way to build a variety of stand designs by connecting and rearranging reusable parts, depending on the size and shape of your space. A brilliant investment if you’re doing multiple shows.
Shell scheme exhibition stands are budget-friendly, pre-built stands, great for shows like UK Construction Week as floor space at ExCeL London can be pricey.
Shell scheme exhibition stands give you a standardised structure as a template, from which you can create an eye-catching display with graphics and props.
Exhibition stand hire
If you’re not quite ready to commit to owning a stand, our exhibition hire service is the perfect option – for full stands, individual items, tech, furniture or props.
Renting is a cost-effective and more eco-friendly choice, a great option for a show like UK Construction Week, where sustainability is high on the agenda.
Can’t decide which stand option is best?
Everything you need to know about exhibiting at the ExCel, London
ExCeL London is a giant in the exhibition world – with a capacity to host up to 70,000 visitors at once and welcoming more than 4 million guests each year.
It’s one of our favourite venues to work at, thanks to its central location and great accessibility. We’re just 90 minutes away, which is handy since we’re setting up stands there all the time!
Part of London’s historic docklands, ExCeL boasts 100,000m² of flexible event space, split between two huge halls, with outdoor areas and conference suites. It’s a really large site, so make sure you’re wearing comfy shoes.
ExCeL London also has fantastic transport links. It’s close to London City Airport, multiple bus routes, three DLR stations, and it has its own Elizabeth Line station. Central London is just 15 minutes away by public transport. And if you’re driving, there are 3,000 parking spaces available.
There’s a wide variety of hospitality options on site and in the immediate local area. From hotels to bars, cafes and restaurants – something to suit everyone’s taste and budget.
Remember: you must pack hi-vis vests for setup days – they’re an essential entry requirement!
The perks:
- Exceptional transport links – easy access by road, rail, and air.
- 100,000m² of versatile space, offering plenty of room and height for creative stands.
- Easy-access logistics for setup and breakdown.
- Comprehensive on-site support for catering, rigging, AV, and more.
- Parking for over 3,000 vehicles.
- 19 hotels on-site or just a short walk away.
- A wide variety of dining options.
- Clean and well-maintained venue with efficient waste removal.
The drawbacks:
- High costs for booking space and additional venue charges (rigging, internet, etc.).
- Parking is £25 per day – factor this into your budget.
- Food and drink can be pricey.
- Popular spaces fill up quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.
- Double-check access points, as the large venue can make transport tricky.
Motive was a brilliant company to work with. They were so accommodating (especially given our extremely tight deadline) and came up with some great concepts that suited our budget.
From initial conversations with David, through the design stages with Ed, right through to the set-up and build at our event , Motive was a super team to work with. They took away so much of the stress and hassle that events can sometimes bring.
We definitely recommend them!”
Mixergy
Clients we work with
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FAQs
Do you have other clients exhibiting at UKCW?
We do indeed. Having multiple stands at one venue is a win-win for us and our clients. With a larger team on-site, we have extra tools and project managers on hand at all times.
We regularly work with businesses who want to connect with construction brands and engage with buyers. They often want us to manage everything – stand design, installation, breakdown and transportation – so they can focus on networking and achieving their event goals.
How much do exhibition stands cost?
How much your exhibition stand costs can depend on multiple factors:
- Size of your space: How much room do you have to work with?
- One-off or reusable: Are you looking for something just for this event, or do you want a stand you can adapt for different venues?
- Your goals: What are you hoping to achieve by exhibiting?
We’ll work closely with you to come up with plans and designs that fit your both budget and your goals.
What makes a good trade show stand?
Interesting, eye-catching, and targeted at your specific audience. A standout exhibition stand reflects your brand’s values, and is designed to help you achieve your goals for the event. We help brands get a great return on their investment by working with them to clarify their vision – and it all starts with a detailed exhibition stand brief.
Should I just hire a stand?
It really depends on what you’re looking to achieve. People often decide to hire a booth for a few reasons:
- They don’t have a place to store a stand.
- They want to experiment with new ideas and concepts.
- They’re new to exhibiting and want to give it a try.
- They don’t exhibit often enough to justify buying their own stand.
- Different teams within a company frequently exhibit and need to change the graphics often.
As a general rule, if you plan to exhibit more than three times a year, it’s usually more cost-effective to invest in your own stand.
Can I put large products and machinery on my UK Construction Week exhibition stand?
Yes – just bear in mind that it can be a real logistical challenge to bring large products and machinery to an exhibition stand – for both exhibitors and stand builders.
If large products are in your plan, it’s really important to work with experienced exhibition stand builders. They have the expertise and experience to handle the logistics, health and safety, and necessary event paperwork to ensure everything runs smoothly.
However, there are other creative ways to showcase complex products and services in an engaging way. We can talk you through the possibilities of how to have an eye-catching stand that gives your sales team all the tools needed to develop prospective customer relationships without the logistics of incorporating large products and machinery.
Can you take our supplies to ExCeL London if we work together?
Absolutely! You can send your materials our way, and we’ll make sure to pack them up with your stand for transport. If you’re hopping on a train, the last thing you want is to lug around a bunch of brochures, iPads, and products. That’s why we handle all your exhibition logistics as part of the project price.
And if you want to lighten your load, consider renting iPads and other equipment from us! We’ve got a great selection of furniture, AV gear, and various props and accessories to make your stand unmissable.
What’s the height limit for exhibition stands at ExCeL London?
Typically, the height limit for stands is 4 meters. If you’re thinking about going taller, you’ll need to get the okay from the event organisers, but you can go up to a maximum of 6 meters.
Is ExCeL London accessible for visitors with disabilities?
Yes, indeed! ExCeL London is fully accessible, with step-free access from both the Custom House and Prince Regent DLR stations. All public entrances have ramps with a gentle slope and automatic doors for easy wheelchair access. Once you’re inside, the floors are all level, ensuring everyone can move around freely without any obstacles.
Motive Exhibitions, 3 Orion Court, Ambuscade Road, Colmworth Business Park, Eaton Socon, St. Neots, PE19 8YX
