Other Events Jun 2026 – Sep 2027
LIFT 26
Lancashire’s Innovation Funding & Tech Festival
Turf Moor, Burnley Football Club
11 June / 10:00 – 16:30 followed by Drinks Reception 16:30 – 18:30
LIFT is Lancashire’s annual innovation, tech and early-stage finance event. It offers ambitious founders, and progressive industry leaders, practical advice and actionable insights to help them drive their companies forward.
Over a packed and fast-paced day, LIFT delegates will get to hear inspirational stories – and some cautionary tales – from entrepreneurs who have accelerated their own business growth by being bold, forward-looking, and embracing innovation.
So, whether you’re a startup wanting to raise, a scaleup looking to disrupt, an established firm looking to diversify, or simply a great company wanting to grow, LIFT is set to be the must-attend gathering for Lancashire’s dynamic business community.
Arrival & Networking – 10:30 to 11:00
Keynotes, Fireside Chats and Panel Sessions – 11:00 to 4:30pm
Drinks Reception & DJ – 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Lunch and refreshments included
Book here
University of Liverpool Management School Business Breakfast
Brett Building, University of Liverpool
1 July / 08:30
Join the University of Liverpool Management School for a fast-paced Business Breakfast.
Discover practical ways to work with students, access early‑career talent, explore executive education and collaborate with academic experts – all in one friendly, informative session.
The event is free and ideal for business leaders, HR teams and anyone interested in partnership opportunities.
View the full agenda and register to attend here.
Siemens Transform
Manchester
15 – 16 July 2026
Transform 2026 helps organisations stay competitive
About Transform 2026
Siemens Transform 2026 takes place on 15 and 16 July at Manchester Central. It is a free two-day event where participants can learn how to accelerate their digital and sustainability transformation to become more resilient.
They will hear from industry experts, collaborate with peers, and discover technologies that help them adapt quickly to disruption and remain competitive.
Transform brings together thousands of participants to explore how innovations and industrial AI are reshaping operations. It highlights the power of combining physical and digital worlds to create efficient, resilient and sustainable organisations.
Attendees will explore technology that helps them outperform in a world defined by volatility. They can co-create practical solutions for their organisations collaborate with experts, and experience the latest innovations, improving competitiveness, resilience and sustainability. They will also see how industrial AI and digital technologies are already transforming everyday operations.
Click here to register and stay up to date with the key event news and updates: https://www.siemens.com/uk/en/company/transform/register-your-interest.html
Cenex Expo 2026 – Postponed
Cenex has announced that this year’s Cenex Expo, scheduled to take place on 22–23 September 2026 at ICC Wales in Newport, will be postponed following a strategic review conducted in consultation with industry partners and stakeholders.
More information can be found here.
SMMT Trade Mission
6 – 9 October 2026
Georgia and South Carolina, USA
SMMT is organising a trade mission to the southeastern US states of Georgia and South Carolina that will include meetings and events, including the Southern Automotive Conference, to help delegates understand the market and meet key stakeholders and local contacts throughout the region.
Why join this trade mission?
• Gain first-hand insight into opportunities in the US Southeast automotive market
• Meet OEMs and suppliers through pre-arranged B2B meetings and networking events
• Visit manufacturing sites and hear directly from local stakeholders including Department for Business and Trade, South Carolina Department of Commerce and Georgia Automotive Manufacturers Association
• Raise your company profile through SMMT promotion and introductions
• Access the market cost-effectively as part of an organised UK delegation
The programme includes:
- Four-day visit arranged by SMMT
- Attend the Southern Automotive Conference
- B2B meetings and networking receptions
- Site visits
- Networking opportunities with OEMs, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers and support organisations
- Briefings from local stakeholders on the automotive landscape in Georgia and South Carolina
Activity in South Carolina is being organised by the South Carolina Department of Commerce and will include B2B meetings, briefing from local stakeholders, networking reception / dinner and site visits.
Cost:
• £695 + VAT: SMMT member rate (1 attendee per company. Additional attendees can attend for £395 + VAT per attendee)
• £895 + VAT: Non-SMMT member rate (1 attendee per company. Additional attendees can attend for £595 + VAT per attendee)
Previous delegates described last year’s mission as “very useful for gathering insights into the US market” and “highly recommended” it for networking and market access.
Please click here to see all the details, including the link to register, on SMMT’s website.
Please contact international@smmt.co.uk if you have any questions or would like any further information.
A date for your 2027 diary …
29th International Symposium on Advances in Abrasive Technology
(ISAAT 2027)
5 – 8 September 2027
The 29th International Symposium on Advances in Abrasive Technology (ISAAT 2027) will be hosted by Liverpool John Moores University from 5–8 September 2027. The conference will bring together international researchers, industry professionals and technology providers working across advanced manufacturing, precision engineering, surface engineering and abrasive technologies.
ISAAT 2027 aims to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry through keynote lectures, technical presentations, exhibitions and networking activities. The event will also showcase the Liverpool City Region’s growing advanced manufacturing and innovation ecosystem, including the aerospace, automotive, medical and digital manufacturing sectors.
Alongside the technical programme, the conference will provide opportunities for industry engagement, potential technical visits and discussions to support future collaborative research and innovation partnerships.
For further information, or to register an interest in submitting a paper, exhibiting or sponsorship, please contact Dr Xiaoxiao Liu (email: x.liu@ljmu.ac.uk) or Dr Tahsin Opoz (email: T.T.Opoz@ljmu.ac.uk)
