Visitor FAQs

Venue

The HE Transformation Expo will be held at the NEC, Birmingham.

Hall 1, NEC, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT

Co-Located Events:

• Schools and Academies Show

• EdTech Summit

• Independent Schools Conference

Date and Times

19th & 20th November | 09:00am-16:30pm

Please note the show will be taking place LIVE at the NEC, Birmingham. Our content will not be available in a virtual format.

A whole host of facilities and services to keep you connected and provide a unique and enjoyable venue experience for all.

WiFi

All visitors to the NEC can connect to WiFi across the entire venue completely free of charge. 

NEC Free Wi-Fi is ideal for browsing the web, checking emails or using social networks. This free service should not be used where the connection is integral to the operation of your event or exhibition stand.

Food & Drink

There are multiple catering options at the NEC which you can find out more about here.

Cloakroom

Venue cloakrooms can be found adjacent to each hall. Items are charged at £2 per coat and £3 per bag (cloakrooms are open 30 minutes prior an event opening and close when the event closes). Please note, in the interests of safety and security overnight storage is not possible.

Multi - Faith Prayer Room

The NEC has a Multi-Faith Prayer Room available for prayer, reflection or meditation - located on the Piazza (Halls 1-5) next to the chaplaincy office. It has a washing facility, prayer mats, holy books and other resources for prayer which have been donated by representatives of local faiths.

Baby Changing Facilities

You can find an overview of the baby change and feeding facilities available at the NEC here.

Mobile Phone Charging

The NEC offer secure charging units in the Piazza and Atrium. Compatible with most major models, charging costs £2.00 for up to 60 minutes and £4.00 for 60+ minutes.  Please note, the charging units accept contactless payment only and include the following charging leads: Lightning cable, Micro USB, USB Type-C.

Post Boxes

There’s a post office located at Birmingham Airport, which can be accessed from the NEC on foot via the free air-rail link.

Cashpoints / ATM

You’ll find free portable cash dispensers around the venue.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event environment for all attendees. We strive to provide an event that is welcoming, accommodating, and supportive of diverse accessibility needs.

The NEC have worked hard to make their venue fully accessible to all guests. Head to their Accessibility Page for further details.

Arrival and Travel

All levels of the NEC are accessible to wheelchair users, via lifts, and have wheelchair friendly toilet facilities. The Piazza and Atrium main entrances have automatic doors.

Blue Badge Parking

To help you plan your Blue Badge Visitor Parking, the NEC have created a short film explaining what to expect when you arrive onsite at the NEC and the facilities we have available.

Mobility Equipment Hire

You can hire mobility equipment when you visit the NEC. We have a fleet of mobility equipment available to hire on a first come, first serve basis. These can be booked online in advance, normally 3 months before the event. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

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.

Guide Dogs

Trained assistance and guide dogs are welcome but please be mindful that certain environments, where noise levels or attendance numbers are high, can be stressful or confusing for assistance dogs.

For the safety and wellbeing of your dog please make them visible to staff and other visitors at all times.

Disabled Toilets

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).

Changing Places

The Changing Placesfacilities 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.

Find out more here.

Hearing Impairments

Induction loop audio systems are fitted in various locations. 

Getting to the NEC is easy with our easy transport links, on-site train station and airport just next door.

Car

Located right in the middle of the UK’s motorway network, jumping in the car is the ideal way to get to the NEC. You’ll find the NEC clearly signposted from all motorways and major routes including the M42, M40 and M6 – just pop B40 1NT in your sat nav to get close, then follow the signs when you see them.

When you arrive at the NEC, look out for ‘Schools & Academies Show’ and ‘HE Transformation Expo’ on the signs. After parking, simply jump the free shuttle bus, or take a leisurely stroll along the signposted footpaths.

Train

Getting to the NEC by train is easy as it is located a five-minute walk away from Birmingham International Railway Station.

Direct services run all day, however if you’re travelling from further afield you may need to catch a connecting train at Birmingham New Street, which is less than a 15-minute journey away. 

Bus or Coach

Over 120 National Expressand Megabus coach services run daily across the UK to Birmingham Airport.

From Birmingham Airport you can get to the NEC via the free air-rail link, which takes just 90 seconds and runs every two minutes.

Check out Transport for West Midlands to plan your journey.

Walking and Cycling

If you live locally, the best and safest way to get to the NEC by your own steam is to use the shared cycle footpath route to Birmingham International Railway Station and then the NEC is a short walk from there, it should take you about 10 minutes.

Parking and Taxis

If you’re driving to the show, then you can enjoy FREE PARKING on us! All you need to do is keep hold of your physical entry badge and show it when leaving the car park, and the fee will be paid by the show. Find out more about parking at the NEC here.

The NEC have teamed up with TOA Taxis to ensure a safe, friendly service is available to you 24/7 at the NEC

You can book over the phone by calling 0121 427 8888 or 0800 0142 729, online or via their handy app.

Alternatively, pick one up at the clearly marked ranks outside our main entrances.

There are a number of hotels located very close to the NECl if required. Find out more information here. 

We advise booking accommodation as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Higher Education/ Public Sector

The show is free-to-attend for ALL higher education institutions, further education institutions, public sector bodies and charities.

You can secure your pass here.

Private Sector

Private sector tickets are available for £699 + VAT. This includes access to the exhibition, all content theatres and show features (excluding the ConnectEd Lounge) as well as restricted access to our exclusive ConnectEd Platform, with no networking permissions.

We also recommend exhibiting or sponsoring. You can enquire about sponsorship opportunities here and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.

You can secure your pass here. Simply select ‘private sector’ as your attendee type.

Accessing Your Ticket

You’ll be able to access your unique QR code to print your ticket via our ConnectEd platform, which is due to go LIVE to visitors 10 weeks before the event. All visitors will be invited to join the platform via email at this time.

Visitors will also be sent their unique QR code via email one week before the show.

If you do not have the app and QR code available when arriving, then you can go straight to our enquiries desk at the entrance to the show and we will print your badge for you.