Build North Expo: How to get the most out of your day in Newcastle
Build North Expo arrives at Utilita Arena Newcastle on Thursday 14th January 2027, giving construction professionals the opportunity to discover new products, meet suppliers and make valuable connections across the North East. Here’s how to make the most of your visit.
Whether you are a contractor looking for new suppliers, a housebuilder exploring construction innovations or a tradesperson keen to discover the latest products and equipment, Build North Expo Newcastle offers a chance to connect with businesses from across the construction supply chain.
Taking place for the first time on Tyneside, the event will bring together manufacturers, merchants, contractors, developers and specialist suppliers, with exhibition zones covering building and construction, digital technology, renewable energy, building materials, health and safety, training and skills.
With so much to explore, a little planning can help you get more value from your day.
1. Plan your priorities before you arrive
Start by identifying what you want to achieve at the event. You might be looking for a new product, comparing suppliers, researching technology for an upcoming project or seeking opportunities to grow your business in the North East.
Having a clear set of priorities will help you focus your time on the exhibitors and topics most relevant to your work.
Build North Expo covers a broad range of construction sectors, including housebuilding, roofing, civil engineering, scaffolding, interiors, renewables and utilities. Consider which areas are most relevant to your current projects and business plans, while leaving time to explore something new.
2. Make time to meet suppliers face to face
An exhibition offers the opportunity to speak directly with suppliers, ask questions and discuss your requirements in person.
Use your visit to investigate products, compare potential solutions and find out more about the services available to support your projects. If you are looking to change supplier, source materials or identify new business partners, direct conversations can help you establish whether a company is a good fit.
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For businesses seeking to expand into the North East, the event also provides an opportunity to introduce themselves to companies working in the regional market and start building relationships for the future.
3. Discover products and technologies in action
Build North Expo will feature two live demonstration stages, giving visitors the opportunity to see selected products, equipment and technologies demonstrated.
Make time to explore the exhibition’s different zones, including Tech, Data and Digital; Solar and Renewable Energy; and Health and Safety, Training and Skills, alongside Building and Construction and Building Materials.
Even if your main focus is traditional construction products, exploring other areas could help you identify solutions relevant to site efficiency, workforce development, sustainability or project delivery.
Seeing a product demonstrated and discussing its practical applications with an exhibitor can also help you assess whether it could benefit your business.
4. Look beyond your usual supply chain
Some of the most useful conversations at an industry event happen outside your immediate area of specialism.
Build North Expo brings together businesses from across the construction sector, creating opportunities to connect with professionals who may approach familiar challenges from a different perspective.
Take time to speak to businesses beyond your usual network, whether that means investigating a new material, learning about digital construction tools or finding out how renewable technologies could support future projects.
The event is also supported by industry organisations, including Constructing Excellence in the North East (CENE), the National Federation of Builders (NFB) and the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), helping bring together different parts of the construction supply chain.
5. Ask questions and make useful connections
Treat your visit as an opportunity to exchange knowledge as well as collect product information.
Prepare a few questions for exhibitors about their products, technical support, suitability for different applications and how their solutions might fit your projects. If you are working to a particular specification or facing a specific site challenge, explaining your requirements can make discussions more productive.
Where a conversation could lead to a future opportunity, exchange contact details and agree on a suitable next step. A brief follow-up after the event can help turn an initial introduction into a longer-term business relationship.
6. Follow up after the event
The value of an exhibition does not end when you leave the venue.
Review the contacts you have made, organise any product information collected and prioritise the conversations most relevant to your business. Follow up with suppliers you want to work with, arrange further discussions where necessary and share useful findings with colleagues.
This will help turn the day’s conversations into practical next steps, whether that means requesting a quotation, arranging a product demonstration or investigating a new business opportunity.
Register for Build North Expo Newcastle
Build North Expo takes place at Utilita Arena Newcastle on Thursday 14 January 2027. The event will bring together construction professionals from across the North East and wider UK to explore products, technology, skills and opportunities across the built environment.
Plan your visit and make time to discover what the event could offer your business.
Register to attend: www.buildnorthexpo.co.uk/attend-newcastle-2027/
