A NEW-LOOK INDY EXPO FOR 2026
Built with the independent exhibition community
The EN Indy Expo 2026 has been redesigned following consultation with the Indy Advisory Board, the event format has evolved to create a more valuable and engaging experience for attendees.
The result is a more focused experience built around practical insight, meaningful networking, and commercially valuable conversations for organisers looking to launch, scale, and grow their event portfolios.
Designed specifically for the independent exhibition sector, the event will bring together senior organisers, event leaders, suppliers, venues, and partners for a day centred around collaboration, innovation, and business growth.
10:00
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- Fieryside Chats
Fieryside Chats
11:10
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- Fieryside Chats
Fieryside Chats
12:20
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- Fieryside Chats
Fieryside Chats
10:00
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- The Control Centre
The Control CentreHow independent businesses are attracting and retaining senior talent without enterprise-level budgets.
11:00
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- The Control Centre
The Control CentreHow to build a strong “second line” leadership team that can actually take ownership, and what roles, decisions and authority need to shift away from the founder.
15:00
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- The Control Centre
The Control CentreA realistic look at international expansion: how to choose new regions, what signals to validate first, and why some launches scale while others stall immediately.
16:00
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- The Control Centre
The Control CentreA leadership-focused session on navigating economic pressure, changing buyer behaviour, rising costs and market unpredictability.
10:00
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- The Indy Lab
The Indy LabA practical workshop breaking down what judges actually look for, how to evidence impact and how to turn strong work into compelling submissions.
11:00
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- The Indy Lab
The Indy LabAn interactive session exploring how senior organiser teams are embedding AI into launch planning, sales, content, operations and audience growth.
12:00
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- The Indy Lab
The Indy LabOrganisers bring launch concepts, positioning or expansion plans to a peer panel for live feedback and discussion.
16:00
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- The Indy Lab
The Indy LabPre-arranged small-group meetings connecting growth-stage organisers with investors, strategic partners and advisors.
10:00
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- The Scale Stage
The Scale StageAn honest discussion on what separates genuinely distinctive launches from recycled event formats in an increasingly crowded exhibition market.
14:00
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- The Scale Stage
The Scale StageAs organiser businesses grow, the cracks often appear before the opportunities do. This session explores the systems, leadership gaps and structural weaknesses that limit sustainable growth.
15:00
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- The Scale Stage
The Scale StageInvestors, founders and acquirers discuss the metrics, trends and qualities that are driving value in independent organiser businesses today.
16:00
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- The Scale Stage
The Scale StageHaving helped build CloserStill Media from a business with £700k in the bank into a company recently valued at $1.77bn, Phil Soar brings decades of exhibition industry insight. Phil will share his out ...
