Plan your visit

The NEC aims to be fully user-friendly for visitors with access needs. This is a quick guide to some of their facilities – if you would like to know more, please call 0800 640 5001.

See the guide here: https://www.thenec.co.uk/visitors/accessibility/

We’ve partnered with specialist accommodation agency Event Express to provide discounted hotel accommodation exclusively for Utility Week Live. But hurry – availability is extremely limited and these preferential rates are selling out fast! 

BOOK HERE

If you’re unsure of your requirements just yet, Event Express have also negotiated flexible cancellation terms, so you can make any amendments and cancellations until closer to the event date. Please note that the discounted hotel prices are subject to availability, so we strongly recommend booking sooner rather than later to guarantee your preferred hotel. 

Contact telephone number: 01905 732737
Contact email address: reservations@eventexpressuk.com

There are many cashpoints situated around the NEC (withdrawal fees apply). Free NatWest and HSBC ATMs can be found at the train station. Whilst cash points are available at venue, most retail units within the venue are cashless.

 

Canvassing for orders by unauthorised persons and the distribution or display of printed material, placards, handbills or circulars, except by exhibitors within the confines of their own stand is prohibited.

The NEC charges £18.95 per day for parking. Pre-paid parking can be booked in advance at £13.95 per day but must be booked the day before attending the show (you can book until midnight). Shuttle buses operate throughout the day taking visitors from the car parks directly to the exhibition entrance. Please visit:   http://www.thenec.co.uk/visitors/parking/

The restaurant will be open at the back of Hall 12 offering hot meals. Additional seating and a variety of food and drink options are also available via a catering MADE unit on the show floor, also at the back of the hall. Outside of the hall, Subway, Wetherspoons and Starbucks will be open.

The NEC have a fleet of mobility equipment available to hire on a first come, first serve basis. We therefore recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

Unfortunately due to the current circumstances, the NEC are unable to facilitate telephone bookings at this time. However, you can email your enquiry to InfoEmailAccount@necgroup.co.uk, and a member of the team will contact you within three working days.

Wheelchairs are available free of charge for blue badge holders and £5 for all other visitors. The number of wheelchairs we have available is limited, so if you’ve got your own, please bring it with you.

Scooters are available for £15 per hire for all visitors.

All pre-bookings will be held until 1100hrs on the day they've been booked for, unless otherwise advised.

For any visitors who have not pre-booked equipment and arrive on the day, any remaining stock will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. As collection location varies from show to show, please check the collection point when making a booking.

Please note: Mobility equipment hire is only available during show open times and we only accept payment by card for any equipment hired. 

 

Entry to the show is FREE. Under 16s (including infants in pushchairs or buggies) are NOT permitted to enter the show under any circumstances, due to potential health and safety hazards.

For any first aid or medical emergencies please contact the Organisers Office or NEC Security staff in the halls.

Free to use the Meeting Hub to facilitate buying discussions.

The Organisers’ Office is situated near the entrance to the hall. If you have any queries, please come and speak to any member of the team.

A space for visitors to take some time out if needed on the Piazza by Hall 3. You can use this room to pray, to reflect, or to take some time out. If you have any questions, please email uwlmarketing@fav-house.com and a member of the team will be in touch.

Please visit the Sales Lounge (Stand C30) for further information on next year’s show or to speak to a member of the sales team.

For security reasons, we request that visitors and exhibitors have access to their printed or digital badge at all times.

Free shuttle buses will operate between all car parks and halls during the show. These usually start running one hour before the show opens and stop one hour after the event closes. Service times can be found at the bus shelters.

There is a taxi rank outside the Piazza main entrance, Atrium 1 entrance and Atrium 3 entrance, where you will find TOA Taxis. To book simply call 0121 427 8888 or 0800 0142 729.

There are toilets are located on the rear of the hall side and also outside in the Atrium, next to the exhibitor badge kiosk.

Accessible toilets are available across the venue. Changing Places facilities are also available by Hall 20, on the Atrium side of site and by Hall 2, on the Piazza side of site (both of these are accessible with a radar key). The Changing Places facilities provide more space for up to 2 carers - and extra features to meet additional needs, including height adjustable adult-sized changing benches and a hoist system.

For more details visit Changing Places

Remember to bring your refillable water bottle!

To help avoid single-use plastic, there will be two water bottle refill stations in the exhibition hall. One at the entrance and one near the Meeting & Coffee Hub. 

All visitors to the NEC can connect to WiFi across the entire venue completely free of charge. However, we recommend the service is for checking emails and posting on social media etc,  not for streaming. If you’re unsure how to connect, or experience any difficulties, just head to the Visitor and Business Centres and they’ll get you surfing the web in no time.

If you are not a British citizen or a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA), you will require a visa to travel to the United Kingdom.

Once registered for the show, the confirmation email can be used to apply for your visa, but Utility Week Live does not provide visa invitation letters for prospective visitors under any circumstances. If you require further information regarding visas please visit the UK Border Agency website or contact your local Embassy.