Railtex and Infrarail 2021 announce Railway Industry Association (RIA) as main show partner

Mack Brooks Exhibitions has announced the Railway Industry Association (RIA) as the Main Show Partner for Railtex and Infrarail 2021 as part of an extensive long-term partnership agreement. Railtex 2021, the UK’s premier exhibition of railway equipment, systems and services, is taking place at the NEC in Birmingham from 11 – 13 May 2021. Infrarail 2021, the 13th International Railway Infrastructure Exhibition, will be co-located with Railtex for the first time, creating the UK’s largest rail show with a combined audience of 10,000 national and international industry professionals. For the upcoming events, both parties have agreed to bring together their combined experiences, providing extensive knowledge of rail trade shows and of the rail industry, its stakeholders and supply chain.

Nicola Hamann, Managing Director of Mack Brooks Exhibitions, said about the partnership with RIA: “We are very pleased to announce the Railway Industry Association as the main show partner for Railtex and Infrarail 2021. This extensive partnership, which is the foundation of a long-term cooperation between us and RIA as the voice of the UK rail community, will enhance the show experience for all participants and ensure that Railtex and Infrarail are the main meeting place for the rail industry in the next years to come”.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association, said: “We’re delighted that the Railway Industry Association will be the Main Show Partner at Railtex and Infrarail 2021, providing an extensive show programme across the three days. Our programme will include a new Unlocking Innovation Zone, with presentations on the latest innovations in the sector; a “Meet the Buyer” networking programme, to support companies looking to get new products and services onto the network; and a Future Focus Conference Zone, providing a strategic overview of where the rail industry currently is and where it’s heading. Put together, these events will provide exhibitors and visitors with fantastic insights and opportunities, helping them to navigate their way in the rail industry. We look forward to working with Railtex and Infrarail 2021 for a fantastic show!”

About Railtex and Infrarail:

Railtex and Infrarail are firmly established as the place to be for those active in today’s thriving rail industry. With Railtex as the largest rail exhibition in the UK for over 20 years, its role is to facilitate trade, provide unique networking opportunities and educational sessions – over three days under one roof. The co-location with Infrarail will provide an unparalleled opportunity for companies serving all aspects of the infrastructure and rolling stock sectors to present their products and services, meet new and existing customers and be part of the leading rail exhibition of the year. Railtex and Infrarail attract international visitors and exhibitors as well as industry leading keynote speakers – all of which provide the ideal platform for the industry to come together and do business.

About RIA:

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the representative body for UK-based suppliers to the UK and world-wide railways. RIA has more than 300 companies in membership in a sector that contributes £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employs 600,000 people. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs. Their network of rail contacts extends to thousands; many within the member companies, but also within government/ industry bodies, as well as academia and adjacent/ emerging sectors.

The RIA programme at Railtex and Infrarail 2021 will be covering three main areas, which form an extensive framework programme for all participants:

Unlocking Innovation Zone: 3-Day Presentation Programme:

RIA will organise and run a 3-day Unlocking Innovation presentation programme based on their successful format of industry-supported Unlocking Innovation workshops. The programme will cover high-level challenges and opportunities from Network Rail, HS2 and regional authorities as well as near term challenges and opportunities from Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. The programme will also feature three-minute Elevator Pitches from a range of contributors, including SMEs and Start-ups.

Networking Zone – ‘Meet the Buyer’ meeting space:

RIA, in cooperation with Railtex and Infrarail, will organise a Meet the Buyer programme, featuring UK buyers, DIT Commercial Officers as well as Overseas buyers. This programme will offer interested exhibiting and visiting companies the opportunities to hold meetings with potential buyers in a dedicated area on the show floor. Meeting slots will be available to book through RIA closer to the show.

Strategy: Future Focus Conference Zone:

RIA will organise a high level strategic conference, to be run throughout the Railtex and Infrarail shows. The conference programme will cover relevant topics for the whole supply chain and offer companies the opportunity to profit from coming together and learning from another.

Further details on this partnership will be communicated as the preparations for Railtex and Infrarail 2021 progress.

https://www.uk-railhub.com/ , https://riagb.org.uk/


Source: RAILTEX-Press Release