The NEC National Exhibition Center is a massive conference center that hosts all sorts of shows and conventions in both indoor and outdoor spaces. This center was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976, and it has used the decades since to expand and push the limits of its industry.
The wide variety of events put on here draw in all kinds of crowds, as this venue hosts trade shows, auto shows, expos and conventions. Depending on the event, a trip to this exhibition center is typically an all-day affair or lasts at least 3 or 4 hours.
NEC National Exhibition Center in Birmingham - one of the highlights of 13 Best Things to Do in Birmingham (Read all about Birmingham here)
photo by N-allen (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
NEC National Exhibition Center highlights
The sheer size of this venue is one of the most impressive features of the entire center. It was only able to achieve such a feat after years of expansion. When it opened, it held 7 exhibition halls. When you visit today, you'll find 18. That's just the beginning, however, as it's also home to 32 conference suites and several designated outdoor spaces.
You won't have to wait long to find something going on at this venue. Sometimes, multiple events are happening at once. On average, this venue hosts about 500 events each year with more than 2.3 million guests across them.
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Good to know when visiting NEC National Exhibition Center
Given the size of this exhibition center, they've had to reserve a lot of space for parking. You'll find 16,500 spaces available, so driving yourself is a valid option if you don't mind the fee. 22 of these spots are suitable for charging electric automobiles at no additional cost.
If you're looking to travel by train, you'll want to head to the Birmingham International Railroad Station. Fortunately, most stations in Birmingham and the surrounding area connect to Birmingham International at some point. From there, it takes about 5 minutes to walk to the exhibition center. The walk is entirely covered, so rain isn't a problem.
photo by Christine Matthews (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
NEC National Exhibition Center in Birmingham
Location: North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT, UK
Open: Monday–Wednesday from 9 am to 6 pm, Thursday–Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 8.45 am to 5 pm
Phone: +44 (0)1217 804141
Start planning your trip
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Leonardo Royal Hotel Birmingham
Holiday Inn Express Birmingham - City Centre, an IHG Hotel
Hampton by Hilton Birmingham Broad Street
Aparthotel Birmingham
Radisson Blu Hotel, Birmingham
Crowne Plaza Birmingham City Centre, an IHG Hotel
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Clayton Hotel Birmingham
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