The organisers of the EMEA ITS World Congress and Highways UK have agreed to locate their 2027 events in adjoining exhibition halls, enabling collaboration between both audiences while preserving the distinct identity and focus of each event.
The 33rd Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress will be hosted in the United Kingdom from Monday 26 to Friday 29 October 2027 – the first time the country has hosted the event since London in 2006. The UK’s biggest annual highways and transport show, Highways UK, traditionally held each autumn at the NEC, is being timed to take place on the Tuesday and Wednesday during the same week.
“Highways UK is a key date in the industry’s calendar every October while a UK-hosted ITS World Congress is an extremely rare event which everyone in the industry will want to visit, so it made no sense to run two separate events a few weeks apart,” explained Chris Lane of Transport for West Midlands, who is overseeing the region’s preparations for the Congress. “By having the two gatherings in next-door halls, we are offering people a unique chance to not only see and debate the latest in highways and transport technology innovation, but also to mingle with thousands upon thousands of like-minded professionals from around the world”.
“Bringing Highways UK and the ITS World Congress together creates a real opportunity for the UK roads sector,” said Richard Pedley, Chief Digital and Information Officer at National Highways. “It connects the people focused on running and improving the national network with global leaders in digital and intelligent transport systems. That mix is powerful – it helps speed up learning, collaboration and turning innovation into real-world impact on the network.”
The organisers of the ITS World Congress, ERTICO – ITS Europe, say the 2027 event will focus on global and strategic discussions on intelligent transport systems, mobility and policy, with direct relevance to the UK market. In parallel, Highways UK will continue to focus on national highways priorities, infrastructure delivery, operations and procurement challenges central to the UK roads sector.
“The co-location creates additional value for visitors, delegates, exhibitors and partners by encouraging meaningful engagement across both events, while ensuring each retains its own identity and purpose,” said Joost Vantomme, CEO of ERTICO – ITS Europe. “I am very excited to welcome our visitors from around the world and, on top of everything they expect from a World Congress, add the chance to see the UK’s vibrant infrastructure sector in action. Likewise, we will welcome public authorities and the supply chain to see the technology driving transport innovation across the globe.”
Terrapinn, the organisers of Highways UK, say the partnership will broaden the reach of the UK’s leading highways event. “Over the last 10 years, Highways UK has become the undisputed forum for infrastructure delivery, operations and procurement-led challenges” said Sean Willis, Managing Director at Terrapinn. “Running our show alongside the ITS World Congress brings global ITS insight directly into the UK delivery conversation and opens the event up to a more international audience, I think we’re offering more than double the value to visitors.”
From a host venue perspective, the NEC says the co-location reflects its capability to deliver large-scale, complex international events. Ian Taylor, Managing Director, NEC Exhibitions, said: “Hosting both the ITS World Congress and Highways UK side by side in 2027 demonstrates the scale and flexibility of the NEC and our ability to support major international events with multiple audiences and formats. We’re proud to welcome delegates from around the world to Birmingham.”
The ITS World Congress will take place from 25 to 29 October 2027. Highways UK will be co-located at the NEC on 26 and 27 October 2027. Details of registration and ticketing will be announced closer to the date.
(Picture courtesy of NEC Group)
