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About this event
Highways UK 2026 — Event Description
Highways UK 2026 is the UK’s largest roads infrastructure trade event, bringing together the organisations and decision-makers responsible for planning, developing, managing, maintaining, and future-proofing the nation’s road networks. The event is positioned as a single place where the full highways supply chain connects to exchange ideas, shape policy discussions, and progress partnerships that enable safer, smarter, and more sustainable roads.
Dates: 14 – 15 October 2026
Venue: Hall 5, NEC (National Exhibition Centre), Birmingham, United Kingdom
Co-located: Asphalt World UK
What the event is about
Highways UK connects the transport and highways ecosystem under one roof, operating as a marketplace for innovation, policy, and partnerships. It covers the practical and strategic topics that matter across the roads lifecycle—ranging from major projects and asset management to digitalisation, safety, and future mobility. Through a combination of a dedicated exhibition, a high-level conference programme, and structured networking, the show is designed for participants who want to do business and influence how roads are delivered and improved over the coming years.
Why attendees and exhibitors come
The event is described as a must-attend platform for the organisations that drive UK road infrastructure, including national bodies, local authorities, contractors, consultants, technology providers, and policymakers. For participants, it functions as a place to:
- Gain market insight into current and upcoming programmes across the highways sector
- Discover and compare new solutions, innovations, and technologies
- Explore partnerships and collaboration opportunities across the supply chain
- Engage with policy and strategic conversations affecting road development and maintenance
Conference (FREE TO ATTEND)
Highways UK includes a conference programme that is free to attend. The agenda is delivered through 8 theatres, with content spanning major strategic and operational themes such as:
- Strategic Roads
- Local Authority
- Digital Roads
- Connected Communities
- Sustainability
Exhibition (FREE TO ATTEND)
The exhibition is also presented as free to attend and features over 360 exhibitors from across the globe. The exhibition format focuses on new ways of thinking and partnerships designed to generate progressive solutions for the roads sector.
Networking and collaboration
Highways UK is structured to encourage interaction across stakeholders, from public sector leadership and policy contributors to contractors, engineering and consulting firms, and technology providers. The “under one roof” positioning is intended to simplify engagement across the highways supply chain—helping participants move from discussions to concrete next steps through the conference theatres, exhibition interactions, and on-site networking.
Awards (Highways UK Excellence Awards)
The Highways UK Excellence Awards return on 14 October 2026. The event page indicates nominations are officially closed at the time of the provided content, with the shortlist expected to be announced later.
Scale and key event metrics
The official event information highlights significant scale, including:
- 10,000+ attendees
- 360+ exhibitors
- 250+ speakers
- 40+ start-ups
- 30+ strategic partners
Industry and event type (how we categorise it)
Industry: Transport / Roads Infrastructure / Highways / Public Infrastructure Technology
Event type: Roads infrastructure trade event + conference + exhibition + networking (with start-up and partner participation)
Primary themes: Innovation, sustainability, collaboration, digital roads, asset management, safety, future mobility
Data sheet
Highways UK – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event date: 14–15 October 2026
Location: NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Event status: Upcoming
Research date: 1 July 2026
Event Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Highways UK 2026 |
| Event Date | 14–15 October 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | The NEC, Hall 5 |
| City | Birmingham |
| State / Region | West Midlands |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Organizer | Terrapinn |
| Official Event Website | terrapinn.com/exhibition/highways-uk/ |
| Event Type | Trade show, conference, exhibition, networking, awards |
| Primary Category | Building & Construction |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Industrial Engineering; Logistics & Transportation; IT & Technology; Power & Energy; Business Services |
| Audience Reach | National with international supplier participation |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | 10,000+ attendees (organizer-reported) |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Estimated from official event website; not independently audited |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect the UK highways ecosystem for procurement, innovation, policy, asset management, digital roads, safety, sustainability, and partnership development |
About the Event
Highways UK is the United Kingdom’s leading roads infrastructure trade event, bringing together the organizations responsible for planning, developing, managing, maintaining, and future-proofing the country’s road network. The event combines a large exhibition, conference theatres, networking, awards, and co-located content to support business development across the highways supply chain.
The show is highly relevant to public-sector buyers, transport authorities, contractors, consultants, technology providers, and specialist suppliers working in roads delivery, asset management, digitalisation, safety, and sustainability. It is especially valuable for companies seeking procurement leads, infrastructure partnerships, contractor relationships, public-sector visibility, and decision-maker access in the UK transport market.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| National road authorities | National Highways; transport agencies; strategic roads bodies | Infrastructure planning, framework procurement, standards, technology adoption | Very high for contractors, technology vendors, materials suppliers, and asset management providers |
| Government transport departments | Department for Transport; devolved transport departments | Policy, program oversight, grant and delivery priorities | High for consultants, policy advisers, engineering firms, and data/technology suppliers |
| Local authorities and councils | County councils, city councils, metropolitan authorities | Road maintenance budgets, local network upgrades, procurement decisions | High for surfacing, lighting, safety, traffic, and inspection suppliers |
| Contractors and civil engineering firms | Tier 1 and Tier 2 road contractors, infrastructure contractors | Delivery, subcontracting, equipment and material sourcing | High for subcontractors, plant, materials, software, and specialist services |
| Consultants and engineering advisers | Transport consultancies, design engineers, project managers | Specification influence, design choices, vendor recommendation | High for solution providers seeking early-stage influence |
| Technology and digital roads leaders | ITS providers, data companies, software vendors, system integrators | Digital transformation, telemetry, analytics, connected road solutions | Very high for smart infrastructure, AI, sensing, and software vendors |
| Asset management teams | Network owners, highways operations teams, maintenance managers | Lifecycle planning, inspection, maintenance optimization | High for maintenance tech, inspection, materials, and asset software |
| Safety and sustainability teams | Road safety bodies, sustainability leads, ESG teams | Safety programs, carbon reduction, sustainable procurement | High for safety systems, low-carbon materials, and compliance tools |
| Transport associations and institutions | CIHT, PIARC, IHE and related bodies | Standards, education, networking, market influence | Moderate to high for sponsorship, thought leadership, and partnerships |
| Media and industry analysts | Transport media, trade press, market intelligence teams | Influence, visibility, content distribution | Moderate for PR, thought leadership, and brand awareness |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city: Birmingham | Regional decision-makers, NEC visitors, Midlands-based contractors and authorities | High | Strong accessibility and business-event infrastructure |
| Host region: West Midlands | Local authorities, engineering firms, suppliers, service providers | High | Close proximity to UK transport and infrastructure stakeholders |
| Nearby business hubs | London, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield, Nottingham | High | Major UK infrastructure and consulting markets likely represented |
| National reach | England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | Very high | Official content indicates participation from strategic roads, local authorities, and national bodies |
| International reach | Global suppliers, road technology providers, standards organizations | Moderate | Official website states exhibitors come “from across the globe” |
| Trade corridor relevance | UK road network, public infrastructure corridors, freight and mobility ecosystem | High | Relevant to national roads delivery and future mobility programs |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary: National | High confidence | The event is positioned as the UK’s leading roads infrastructure trade event and is centered on national roads, local authorities, and the wider UK highways supply chain. |
| Secondary: International supplier reach | Moderate confidence | Official website says the exhibition features exhibitors from across the globe, indicating international supplier participation even though the core buyer base is UK-focused. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Highways | Government / road network operator | Core strategic roads owner/operator; directly aligned with highways planning, delivery, technology, and maintenance | nationalhighways.co.uk | Chief Customer and Strategy Officer; Director of Road Safety; Head of Road Infrastructure Technology; Procurement; Programme Leads | Confirmed Speaker Organization |
| Department for Transport | Government department | Policy influence over road infrastructure, safety, digital roads, and investment priorities | gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport | Policy Directors; Transport Strategy Leads; Technology/Innovation Leads; Commercial Leads | Confirmed Speaker Organization |
| Transport Scotland | Government transport body | Major public road and transport infrastructure stakeholder with budget and delivery responsibility | transport.gov.scot | Chief Executive; Director of Roads; Major Projects Director; Procurement Leads | Confirmed Speaker Organization |
| Transport Focus | Public-interest transport body | Influences passenger/user insight and transport service improvement priorities | transportfocus.org.uk | Chief Executive; Research Director; Stakeholder Engagement Leads | Confirmed Speaker Organization |
| TRL | Transport research / innovation organization | Research, testing, innovation, and applied transport technology relevance | trl.co.uk | CEO; Innovation Directors; Research Leads; Commercial Directors | Confirmed Speaker Organization |
| Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) | Professional association | Influences industry standards, education, and professional networks across highways | ciht.org.uk | President; Membership Director; Partnerships Director; Events Lead | Confirmed Speaker Organization |
| Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) | Professional association | Highways engineering membership body with reach into practitioners and technical decision-makers | ihe.org.uk | Chief Executive; Technical Director; Membership and Training Leads | Confirmed Speaker Organization |
| PIARC – World Road Association | International road association | Global road transport standards, research, and knowledge exchange relevance | piarc.org | President; Technical Committee Chairs; International Relations Leads | Confirmed Speaker Organization |
| Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority | Public transport / local authority body | Regional transport strategy and infrastructure investment decision-making | cambridgeshirepeterborough-ca.gov.uk | Director of Transport Strategy and Delivery; Programme Managers | Confirmed Speaker Organization |
| Transport for London | Transport authority | Large road, traffic, safety, and asset management stakeholder with major procurement needs | tfl.gov.uk | Road Network Managers; Procurement; Innovation; Asset Management Leads | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Scottish local authorities | Government / municipal buyers | Likely attendees for roads maintenance, safety, and infrastructure delivery | gov.scot | Highways Managers; Transport Leads; Procurement Officers | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Local highway authorities | Public-sector buyer segment | Responsible for road maintenance, resurfacing, traffic systems, and digital asset tools | n/a | Highways Network Managers; Asset Managers; Procurement Managers | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Director of Roads / Head of Roads | Infrastructure / Transport | Director / VP | Owns strategy, budget direction, and supplier selection for road programs |
| 2 | Chief Customer and Strategy Officer | Executive / Strategy | C-suite | Influences network priorities, partnerships, and transformation initiatives |
| 3 | Procurement Director | Procurement | Director | Sets sourcing strategy for frameworks, contractors, and technology procurement |
| 4 | Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement | Manager | Evaluates suppliers and contracting models |
| 5 | Program Manager | Delivery / Projects | Manager / Senior Manager | Manages road programs, implementation, and vendor coordination |
| 6 | Asset Management Director | Operations / Asset Management | Director | Buys inspection, maintenance, and lifecycle management solutions |
| 7 | Head of Road Infrastructure Technology | Technology / Innovation | Head / Director | Evaluates digital roads, sensors, analytics, and connected infrastructure |
| 8 | Director of Road Safety | Safety / Operations | Director | Influences safety systems, traffic control, and compliance solutions |
| 9 | Commercial Manager | Commercial | Manager | Supports tendering, contracts, and vendor relationship management |
| 10 | Consulting Engineer / Transport Consultant | Engineering / Advisory | Mid to senior | Shapes specifications and vendor recommendations early in projects |
| 11 | Operations Director | Operations | Director | Responsible for service delivery, maintenance performance, and operational efficiency |
| 12 | Partnerships Director | Partnerships / Business Development | Director | Drives collaboration with public sector and industry partners |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction | Core highways delivery, civil works, and infrastructure procurement | Contractors, project owners, and supplier targeting |
| 2 | Civil Engineering | Road design, delivery, and asset lifecycle management | Engineering consultancies and project teams |
| 3 | Government Administration | National and local road authorities are central attendees | Public-sector buyer mapping |
| 4 | Transportation/Trucking/Railroad | Transport network operators and infrastructure stakeholders | Network operators and transport planners |
| 5 | Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Road equipment, machinery, and engineering systems | Technical solution selling |
| 6 | Information Technology & Services | Digital roads, data, systems integration, and smart infrastructure | Software and platform vendors |
| 7 | Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Traffic systems, sensors, controls, and connected roadside technology | Hardware and IoT buyers |
| 8 | Environmental Services | Sustainability and carbon reduction are explicit event themes | ESG, carbon, and environmental compliance solutions |
| 9 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Freight movement and road network performance are key outcomes | Fleet, corridor, and operations solutions |
| 10 | Facilities Services | Maintenance, inspection, and operational support are relevant | Maintenance and service contractors |
| 11 | Management Consulting | Consultants influence strategy, procurement, and delivery models | Advisory and transformation services |
| 12 | Public Safety | Road safety and traffic safety programs are core themes | Safety technology and compliance solutions |
| 13 | Utilities | Road projects often intersect with utility diversions and corridor works | Infrastructure coordination and asset mapping |
| 14 | Computer Software | Digitalisation and asset platforms are a major buying area | Software, analytics, and workflow tools |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | 10,000+ | Estimated | Official event website | Organizer-reported attendance figure |
| Exhibitor count | 360+ | Estimated | Official event website | Organizer-reported figure for 2026 |
| Speaker count | 250+ | Estimated | Official event website | Organizer-reported figure for 2026 |
| Start-up count | 40+ | Estimated | Official event website | Useful for innovation-led prospecting |
| Strategic partner count | 30+ | Estimated | Official event website | Indicates broad industry support and network reach |
| Attendance figure reliability | Moderate | Estimated | Organizer website only | Not independently audited; suitable for directional planning |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement | Framework sourcing, tender support, supplier rationalization | Meet public-sector and contractor procurement teams | Bid support, contract management, sourcing services |
| Technology | Digital roads, data, automation, asset intelligence | Demo software, sensors, and systems integration | ITS, analytics, dashboards, IoT platforms |
| Safety | Reduce incidents and improve road user safety | Show safety systems and compliance tools | Detection, signage, monitoring, intelligent control |
| Sustainability | Lower-carbon materials and operations | Position ESG value and lifecycle benefits | Low-carbon products, reporting, environmental services |
| Asset Management | Extend lifecycle, improve inspection and maintenance | Target asset teams and maintenance leaders | Inspection, CMMS/EAM, predictive maintenance |
| Future Mobility | Support connected and adaptive road networks | Engage innovation and strategy teams | Connected infrastructure, data platforms, advisory |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event is built around road network owners, operators, contractors, and technical buyers. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Speaker and attendee mix strongly suggests director-level and policy-level access. |
| Data collection potential | High | Large exhibition and conference format supports lead capture and relationship building. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Strong fit for public-sector, construction, engineering, software, and transport filters. |
| Geographic targeting potential | Very High | UK national event with clear regional and public-sector segmentation. |
| Best outreach approach | High | Account-based outreach to public authorities, contractors, consultants, and solution providers. |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | Good density of procurement, technical, and executive stakeholders in one venue. |
| Best use case | Very High | Lead generation, attendee list building, exhibitor targeting, and public-sector prospecting. |
| Limitations / risks | Medium | Official attendee list is not publicly confirmed; buyer lists must be built from role-based targeting and confirmed speakers/organizations. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Construction; Civil Engineering; Government Administration; Transportation/Trucking/Railroad; Information Technology & Services; Environmental Services; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering; Public Safety; Logistics & Supply Chain; Facilities Services | Capture the core buyer ecosystem around roads infrastructure |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Engineering; IT; Strategy; Commercial; Projects; Asset Management; Safety; Transport Planning | Reach decision-makers and influencers |
| Seniority | C-level; VP; Director; Head; Manager; Senior Manager | Prioritize budget owners and technical approvers |
| Job titles | Procurement Director, Head of Roads, Asset Management Director, Road Safety Director, Program Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Transport Strategy Director, Chief Executive, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, Head of Road Infrastructure Technology | Target high-fit roles likely to attend or influence purchasing |
| Geography | United Kingdom; West Midlands; London; Scotland; Wales; major UK transport hubs | Focus on the event’s primary market and nearby decision hubs |
| Employee size | 51–200; 201–500; 501–1000; 1000+ | Prioritize authorities, contractors, and enterprise suppliers |
| Keywords | highways, roads, infrastructure, asset management, road safety, transport strategy, digital roads, smart mobility, maintenance, procurement, civil engineering | Increase relevance for account and title matching |
| Company type | Public sector; private enterprise; consultancy; contractor; association; operator | Separate buyers from vendors where needed |
| Revenue range | Mid-market to enterprise where available | Prioritize larger buyers with active capital spend |
| Technologies | GIS, asset management software, IoT, ITS, cloud platforms, analytics, ERP, CMMS/EAM | Useful for solution-selling into digital infrastructure teams |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (highways OR roads OR road infrastructure OR asset management OR road safety OR transport strategy OR digital roads) AND (procurement OR operations OR engineering OR technology OR strategy) AND (Director OR Head OR Manager OR VP OR Chief) AND location: United Kingdom.
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Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highways UK 2026 official event page | Official organizer source | Event name, dates, venue, Birmingham location, 10,000+ attendees, 360+ exhibitors, 250+ speakers, 40+ start-ups, 30+ strategic partners, event theme and positioning | High |
| Terrapinn corporate website | Organizer website | Organizer identity and event portfolio context | High |
| Highways UK 2026 speakers and agenda content | Official event content | Confirmed speaker organizations including National Highways, Department for Transport, Transport Scotland, TRL, CIHT, IHE, PIARC, Transport Focus, and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority | High |
| Highways UK 2026 exhibition content | Official event content | Event format, free exhibition, conference, awards, co-location with Asphalt World UK | High |
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Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Highways UK — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
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