Our Quick Guide to NACFB & Birmingham

Are you ready for this year’s NACFB?

Birmingham is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom, following London, and is a popular destination for business travellers.

Birmingham has a long history as a hub of manufacturing, technology, and economic development dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Today, it is a thriving, cutting-edge city that is home to many multinational corporations, with its finger firmly on the global financial pulse.

Whether this is your first time visiting Birmingham or not, we know that a city as vibrant as this constantly evolves, so we have put together this quick guide that might help you make your visit go as smoothly as possible!

How do I get to the NEC?

By Car

The NEC is 8 miles east of Birmingham city centre, and its central location places it at the heart of the UK motorway network. The M1, M5, M6, M6 Toll, M40, and M42 are all direct routes to The NEC site for visitors coming from any direction.

The NEC is marked on most modern maps and is well-signposted on highways and major roads. We recommend that if you are travelling by car, you give plenty of time for your journey.

By Train

The NEC is located next to Birmingham International Rail Station!

Depending on your starting point, you may be able to go directly to The NEC by train, departing from Birmingham International. If your point of origin does not have a direct connection to Birmingham International, you will need to go to Birmingham New Street first and then connect to Birmingham International.

Please contact National Rail inquiries for further information on travelling by train to Birmingham International Station.

How to Make the Most of your NACFB Attendance

Trade exhibitions can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time attending one. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle due to the long days and a large number of guests. However, by planning ahead of time, you can ensure that you create meaningful connections, schedule meetings, and return to the office with a stack of business cards.

1. Let your contacts know you are attending
2. Post on Social Media
3. Reach out to schedule meetings
4. Attend event networking events
5. Attend conferences and be ready to ask questions to grab the attention of the speakers, as they could be your ideal lead
6. Review the trade show floor map and make a plan
7. Come prepared with business cards, a pen and a notebook
8. A digital one-page brochure on your company ready to send as a follow-up
9. Try to build rapport with the people you interact with, as this will increase your chances of future engagement
10. Create your follow up plan and get in touch with your contacts sooner rather than later

Other Resources that you might find helpful:

• A business travellers guide to Birmingham – including 10 must-see leisure activities
• Shuttle Direct’s Business travel guide to Birmingham
• The 20 best restaurants in Birmingham you need to try

If you would like to book some one-on-one time with a member of our team during NACFB, please feel free to shoot them an email or grab some time right on their calendar!

Tarun Kumar, Founder and CEO
tarun.kumar@datagardener.com
NACFB Meeting link
To connect via LinkedIn

Robert Holland, Co-Founder and Director
robert.holland@datagardener.com
NACFB Meeting link
To connect via LinkedIn

Mark Bennett, Commercial Director
mark.bennett@datagardener.com
NACFB Meeting link
To connect via LinkedIn

See you at the show!