What Robotics and Automation Exhibition does

The Robotics and Automation Exhibition is a UK-based annual trade exhibition organised by Akabo Media Ltd, targeting industrial buyers, supply chain operators, and technology decision-makers in the robotics, automation, intralogistics, and fulfilment sectors. The 2027 edition is scheduled for 17–18 March at the NEC Birmingham, operating under a 'Four Shows in One' model that combines the core robotics and automation exhibition with three co-located events: IntraLogisteX, the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition, and the Fulfilment & Last Mile Expo. The event targets 300+ exhibitors, 11,000+ visitors, and 60+ conference sessions per edition.

The event runs on the ASP Events platform for exhibitor and visitor management and uses Jonas Event Technology for registration. Its commercial product surface includes shell-scheme and space-only exhibitor stands, conference session sponsorship, and ancillary formats such as the newly launched Robotics & Automation Awards 2026. The exhibitor roster spans mobile robotics (Boston Dynamics, Locus Robotics), warehouse automation (Swisslog, Körber, Exotec, Ocado Intelligent Automation), industrial controls (Rockwell Automation, SAP, Lenze), and adjacent automation vendors, signalling broad market participation.

The business model is exhibitor-funded rather than visitor-funded: revenue is generated from stand space sales, sponsorship, and conference packages, while visitor attendance is free. Akabo Media Ltd, the parent operator, also publishes Logistics Manager magazine and runs a broader portfolio of UK logistics and supply-chain events, providing portfolio-level cross-promotion and shared sales infrastructure that underpins the exhibition's go-to-market.

Name

Robotics and Automation Exhibition

Legal name

Akabo Media Ltd

Website

https://roboticsandautomation.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Robotics and Automation Exhibition is a UK trade show run by Akabo Media Ltd, targeting industrial buyers in robotics, automation, intralogistics, and fulfilment. The annual NEC Birmingham event features 300+ exhibitors and runs alongside three co-located shows.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Exhibitions & Events

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

akta.pro primary industry

Manufacturing, Industrial Equipment & Automation Shows Organizers (THAHABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Exhibition & Trade Show Management (Conference-Adjacent) (THAHACAF)

Keywords

• Trade exhibitions
• Robotics automation events
• Intralogistics conferences
• Supply chain exhibitions
• Industry conference programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Longford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Exhibitor Stand Space: Revenue is generated primarily from selling exhibition stand space to robotics, automation, and logistics technology companies. Shell scheme and space-only stands are available for exhibitors.
2. Visitor Registration: End-user practitioners can attend for FREE over one or both days. The event is strictly for buyers looking for solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Robotics and Automation Exhibition operates a two-day annual trade exhibition at NEC Birmingham focused on robotics, automation, machine vision and future technologies, featuring 300+ exhibitors, 11,000+ visitors and a 60+ session conference programme. It is co-located with IntraLogisteX, the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition, and the Fulfilment & Last Mile Expo to create a combined four-show logistics and supply chain event with shared conference theatres. Exhibitor stand space (shell scheme and space-only) is sold to suppliers, while qualified end-user visitors register for free.

Product overview

The Robotics and Automation Exhibition operates as a multi-faceted trade exhibition platform, combining the core Robotics and Automation Exhibition (the UK's largest dedicated robotics event) with three co-located exhibitions: IntraLogisteX, the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition, and the Fulfilment & Last Mile Expo. The event also includes a comprehensive conference theatre programme with 60+ sessions and the Robotics & Automation Awards ceremony. Together these form 'Four Shows in One', providing end-users with access to robotics manufacturers, system integrators, automation experts, machine vision specialists, and sustainability solution providers across the logistics and manufacturing supply chain.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Robotics and Automation Exhibition Two-day trade exhibition at NEC Birmingham featuring 300+ exhibitors of robotics, automation, machine vision and future technology solutions, attracting 11,000+ end-user visitors from manufacturing, logistics, supply chain and warehousing.
• IntraLogisteX Co-located exhibition focused on intralogistics and warehouse automation, sharing the same venue and conference theatres with the Robotics and Automation Exhibition as part of the four-show event.
• Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition Co-located exhibition covering sustainable supply chain and environmental solutions, part of the combined four-show event at NEC Birmingham.
• Fulfilment & Last Mile Expo

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ exhibitors showcasing robotics and automation innovations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• IntraLogisteXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2027Co-located exhibition focusing on intralogistics and warehouse automation, sharing the same venue (NEC Birmingham) and creating a comprehensive logistics and supply chain event with Robotics & Automation. The two events share conference theatres.
• Sustainable Supply Chain ExhibitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2027Co-located exhibition covering sustainable supply chain topics. Part of the 'four shows in one' concept at NEC Birmingham, allowing visitors to access all four exhibitions with a single registration.
• Fulfilment & Last Mile ExpocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2027Co-located exhibition focusing on fulfilment and last-mile delivery solutions. Part of the combined event at NEC Birmingham Hall 6 & 7.
• Akabo MediaflagshipOthers · 18 March 2026Akabo Media is the event organiser and parent company of the Robotics and Automation Exhibition. They also publish Logistics Manager magazine and operate related exhibitions including IntraLogisteX and Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Hannover Messe: World's leading industrial technology trade fair held annually in Hannover, with major focus on industrial automation, robotics and digital factory. Comparable exhibition targeting the same vendor and end-user audience at significantly larger scale.
• LogiMAT: Leading European intralogistics and process management trade fair held annually in Stuttgart, Germany. Directly comparable as a trade exhibition focused on warehouse automation, robotics and supply-chain solutions targeting the same European buyer base.
• SPS (Smart Production Solutions): European trade fair for smart and digital automation held annually in Nuremberg, covering industrial automation, robotics and drive technologies. Direct peer competing for automation exhibitor and visitor share in Europe.
• CeMAT: Global intralogistics and supply chain management trade fair held in Hannover. Directly comparable exhibition format covering warehousing, automation and materials handling with overlapping exhibitor and visitor audience.
• MODEX: US supply chain exhibition run by MHI in off-years from ProMat, focused on manufacturing, distribution and supply chain automation. Direct comparable in format, audience and product category.
• IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show): US biennial manufacturing technology trade show with significant automation and robotics content. Comparable large-scale B2B exhibition targeting manufacturing buyers and automation vendors.
• ProMat: US material handling and logistics trade show held biennially and run by MHI. Direct comparable as a B2B exhibition serving supply chain buyers with significant automation and robotics exhibitor content.
• Automate Show: North America's largest automation and robotics trade show, held biennially and organised by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Direct comparable as a robotics and automation exhibition serving manufacturers and system integrators.

Others

• Informa Markets: Global B2B exhibitions organiser running numerous industrial and technology trade shows including automation-adjacent events. Comparable as a peer in the B2B trade show organising space, though operating at vastly larger scale and across many verticals.

Emerging players

• Robotics Summit & Expo: Smaller, robotics-focused US conference and exhibition that overlaps with the subject show's robotics exhibitor base. Comparable product category but at materially smaller scale and earlier maturity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Robotics and Automation Exhibition