Exhibition stand builders at NEC Birmingham.
The NEC is the UK's highest-volume exhibition site and one of the cheapest major venues to build in, because almost every hall takes drive-in access. We design, engineer, produce and install bespoke stands across all twenty halls, with Midlands workshop capacity a short transfer from site.
NEC Birmingham at a glance
- Location
- Marston Green, Birmingham B40
- Halls
- Twenty interconnected halls, 186,000 sqm
- Access
- Drive-in access to most halls
- Typical build cost
- £420–£850 per sqm single-storey
- Double-deck
- £1,100–£1,700 per sqm of footprint
Halls and layout
Twenty halls arranged around a central concourse, with strong floor loading, generous height and drive-in access that lets trucks unload directly at the stand position. That single feature makes NEC builds faster and materially cheaper than most central-city venues.
How we build here
Because the NEC allows drive-in access and on-site storage, we build heavier and more finished elements off-site and land them complete. Clients typically see 10–15% lower install costs at the NEC than for the identical stand at a central London venue.
Venue rules that shape the design
- Complex structures and anything above 4m require drawings and structural calculations signed off before build
- Rigging is ordered through the NEC's appointed rigging contractor
- Health and safety documentation — RAMS, insurance, contractor accreditation — is checked on arrival
- On-site storage is available, which keeps empty-case handling costs low
- Overnight working is possible during tenancy on most halls with prior agreement
NEC Birmingham — questions we get asked
How much does a bespoke exhibition stand at the NEC cost?
Bespoke single-storey builds at the NEC typically run £420–£850 per sqm. A 6x6m custom stand generally lands between £38,000 and £62,000 including design, production, freight, install, dismantle and on-site project management.
Are you accredited to build at the NEC?
Yes. We carry the contractor accreditation, insurance and RAMS documentation the NEC requires, and manage the organiser submission process on the exhibitor's behalf.
Can you store our stand between NEC shows?
Yes. We store the structure, graphics and furniture in the Midlands, refresh graphics between shows and redeliver. Storage is charged annually and is usually far cheaper than rebuilding.
Is the NEC cheaper to build at than ExCeL?
Usually, yes. Drive-in hall access, on-site storage and lower regional labour rates mean the same stand typically installs for 10–15% less at the NEC than at ExCeL London.