Hashtag Events

What Hashtag Events does

Hashtag Events is a privately-held, UK-headquartered business events company that organizes regional business shows and networking experiences across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Founded by Andrew Charlton, a Fellow of the Institute of Marketing, the company has cumulatively delivered over 300 business shows and currently operates 22+ annual events that attract more than 15,000 unique B2B attendees. The company runs dual-sided markets: free delegate entry drives attendee volume, while B2B sales motion — including discovery calls and a Season Pass product — converts exhibitors and sponsors across all sectors into paying customers.

Name

Hashtag Events

Legal name

Hashtag Events

Website

https://hashtagevents.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Event Management

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

General & Multi-Industry Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trade Shows & Exhibitions (Booths, Show Management) (BPAFAGAD), Sponsorship Activation & Experiential Marketing (THAHAGAC), General Consumer Expos & Trade Shows (MPAGAFAA)

Keywords

• Business exhibition events
• B2B trade shows
• Business networking events
• Regional business expos
• Event management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Northumberland

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Exhibition Stand Sales: Revenue from businesses purchasing exhibition space at regional business shows. Standard space starts at £225 plus VAT, with additional options for extras packs, premium locations, and speaker slots.
2. Event Add-ons and Data Services: Additional revenue streams including Event Data Files (GDPR compliant delegate contact lists), clickable backlinks for SEO enhancement, and speaking/presentation slots.
3. Season Pass: Multi-event access passes for exhibitors seeking predictable multi-region sales pipeline across multiple business shows.
4. Networking Upgrades: Paid upgrades for networking sessions including 5-minute presentation slots and full delegate contact lists.
5. Business Club Membership: Business Club membership with exclusive online networking events, member benefits, and club deals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hashtag Events organizes and runs regional B2B business shows across the UK and Ireland featuring exhibitions, seminars, and face-to-face networking opportunities. Delegate entry to all shows is free, while businesses purchase exhibition stands and sponsorship packages to showcase products and services to decision makers. The company complements in-person events with subscription-based online networking sessions via Google Meet, SmartWorking mastermind groups, the Hashtag Business Club membership program, and B2B email marketing services.

Product overview

Hashtag Events operates a platform of business networking products centered around regional business shows and expos across the UK and Ireland. The core offering consists of Business Shows—live events featuring exhibitions, seminars, and B2B networking—complemented by Online Networking (subscription-based virtual events via Google Meet) and SmartWorking Groups (in-person and online masterminding sessions). The Hashtag Business Club provides a membership layer with exclusive benefits and club deals, while the Season Pass offers multi-event access for exhibitors. Additional services include B2B Email Marketing and the Hashtag Rewards loyalty program. The company operates 22+ annual regional business shows attracting over 15,000 unique B2B attendees each year, with events spanning Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales, and the Midlands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Shows

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15,000 unique B2B attendees annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Reclaim Tax UKcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMain Event Sponsor for UK & Ireland. Provides primary sponsorship for business shows, receiving prominent branding and exclusive networking opportunities at events.
• RULE.iocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunications Sponsor. Digital communication platform provider serving as sponsor for business events.
• NavancoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTravel and Expense Sponsor. Corporate travel and expense management platform providing sponsorship for business events.
• AIDA.aicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial Media Sponsor. AI autonomous marketing agency providing social media sponsorship. Located in Stockholm and backed by Google AI.
• VenuEliorcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNetworking and Venue Sponsor. Catering and venue services partner for business events.
• Steven J InnescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent Host and Networking Sponsor. Serves as master of ceremonies and networking sponsor at business shows.
• Momentum Sales & MarketingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent Marketing Partners. Sales and marketing agency providing marketing partnership for events.
• Fore BusinessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetworking Partners. Business networking organization partnering with Hashtag Events for networking activities.
• Synergy WorldwideminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth & Wellbeing Partners. Wellness company providing health and wellbeing sponsorship at events.
• UK Business IQ PodcastcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia Partners. Podcast hosted by Geoff Nicholson serves as premier audio platform and media partner for Hashtag Events. Features interviews with business leaders and serves as high-authority marketing vehicle.
• EventcompereminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent compere services provided through advertising banner partnership on website.
• iwocaPayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPayment by instalments provider for exhibitor bookings, subject to acceptance.
• Lime Venue PortfoliominorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue Partner for Leicester Business Show at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
• Popcorn CRMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology Sponsors. CRM platform provider for business shows.
• Text GlobalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunications Sponsors. Text messaging and communications provider.
• Success IQ EliteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent Support Partners for Edinburgh Business Show.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Reed Exhibitions (RX): One of the world's largest B2B exhibition organisers, part of RELX. Broad incumbent in the same trade show space with vastly larger scale and vertical specialisation across dozens of industries.
• Informa Markets: Global B2B exhibitions division of Informa plc, operating hundreds of trade shows worldwide. Broad incumbent with overlapping B2B event portfolio and significantly larger scale than Hashtag Events.
• dmg events: International B2B exhibition organiser with events across energy, construction, hospitality, and design. Broad incumbent in the exhibitions space with overlapping exhibitor value proposition.

Regional players

• BNI (Business Network International): Global business networking organisation running structured referral-based chapter meetings. Compares to Hashtag Events' SmartWorking groups and Business Club membership layer targeting UK business owners seeking peer networking and lead generation.

Direct peers

• Hyve Group: UK-headquartered international trade show organiser running pop-up and portfolio exhibitions across multiple sectors. Comparable to Hashtag Events as a multi-industry B2B exhibition organiser with strong UK roots.
• CloserStill Media: UK-based B2B exhibitions organiser operating across multiple verticals including technology, healthcare, and learning. Directly comparable to Hashtag Events in running regional and vertical business exhibitions for B2B decision makers in the UK.
• MA Exhibitions: UK B2B trade show and conference organiser producing events such as the Business Show London and London ExCel exhibitions. Directly comparable in B2B trade show production for SMBs and decision makers.
• Clarion Events: Global B2B events organiser with strong UK presence across gaming, retail, energy, and technology verticals. Directly comparable B2B trade show organiser with overlapping customer base of decision makers and exhibitors.

Others

• Eventbrite: Self-serve event ticketing and registration platform already integrated into Hashtag Events' distribution as a secondary booking channel. Functions as both a partner/infrastructure provider and adjacent competitor in the SMB events space.

Emerging players

• Bizzabo: Event experience platform providing software for in-person, hybrid, and virtual events. Compares to Hashtag Events' online networking and event management layer rather than its physical shows, but addresses the same exhibitor and attendee base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hashtageventsuk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Hashtag Events