Germany Unites with Denmark, Italy and Others to Host SOLEX, 2026 Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition at NEC Birmingham, UK to Strengthen Business Tourism: Here is What you Need to Know Now

Written By: Minal Aditi Lakra

Minal Aditi Lakra

I graduated with a degree in Finance from the University of Calcutta and further strengthened my financial expertise by pursuing both the Chartered Accountancy (CA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) programs. Over the past decade, I have dedicated myself to building a career aligned with my long-term professional aspirations, combining analytical thinking with strategic communication. Currently, I work as a Public Relations Strategist at Travel And Tour World (TTW), a global travel media platform that connects industry leaders with travelers worldwide. My role involves translating the vision, insights, and innovations of tourism stakeholders—including governments, tourism boards, airlines, hospitality brands, and event organizers—into compelling stories that inform, inspire, and influence global travel audiences. Through strategic storytelling and media engagement, I help bridge the gap between industry leadership and evolving traveler expectations.

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July 4, 2026 06:51 GMT+5:30

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As the global meetings and exhibitions industry continues to shape business travel and regional economies, SOLEX – Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition 2026 is preparing to welcome retailers, buyers, manufacturers and industry professionals to NEC Birmingham from 7–9 July 2026. While the exhibition is firmly focused on the outdoor living sector, its significance extends well beyond product showcases. For Birmingham and the wider United Kingdom, SOLEX represents another opportunity to strengthen the country’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading destinations for trade exhibitions, business networking and MICE tourism.

Hosted at the UK’s largest exhibition venue, the event is organised by the LoFA (Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association) and has become a key annual meeting point for businesses involved in garden furniture, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, heating solutions, barbecues, lighting and outdoor leisure products. Rather than functioning as a consumer exhibition, SOLEX is designed exclusively for trade professionals, creating an environment where suppliers and buyers can establish commercial partnerships, launch new collections and identify emerging market trends.

NEC Birmingham Continues to Anchor the UK’s Exhibition Industry

Located in the heart of England with excellent rail, motorway and international air connections, NEC Birmingham has long played a strategic role in attracting international exhibitions across diverse industries. Its proximity to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International railway station makes it particularly attractive for both domestic and overseas visitors, allowing delegates to reach the venue with minimal transfer times.

The venue regularly hosts some of the UK’s largest trade fairs spanning manufacturing, healthcare, food, technology, retail and lifestyle sectors. Events such as SOLEX reinforce the convention centre’s contribution to year-round business tourism, supporting hotels, restaurants, transport providers and local attractions throughout the West Midlands.

Outdoor Living Industry Takes Centre Stage

Consumer interest in outdoor lifestyles has expanded considerably in recent years, encouraging manufacturers to develop innovative products that combine comfort, sustainability and smart design. SOLEX provides an opportunity for retailers to experience these innovations first-hand before they reach the consumer market.

The exhibition will feature more than 50 leading manufacturers and suppliers, presenting the latest developments across garden furniture, parasols, outdoor heating, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, decorative lighting, fire pits, gazebos and other lifestyle products. Product launches and live demonstrations remain one of the exhibition’s biggest attractions, allowing buyers to evaluate new collections in person before placing seasonal orders.

Unlike many international exhibitions that revolve around keynote presentations, SOLEX focuses on direct business engagement. The organisers have not announced a formal speaker programme, instead prioritising networking, product demonstrations and face-to-face commercial discussions between exhibitors and buyers.

Supporting Business Travel and Hospitality

Although attendance is restricted to trade professionals, the exhibition generates substantial economic activity across Birmingham. Buyers travelling from across the UK and Europe contribute to hotel occupancy, restaurant bookings, local transport usage and business services during the three-day event.

According to the organisers, the exhibition attracts more than 1,000 industry decision-makers, including representatives from independent retailers, garden centres, national retail chains, wholesalers, distributors, procurement teams and hospitality buyers. Major retailers that have historically attended include B&Q, John Lewis, Homebase, Dunelm, British Garden Centres, Wayfair, Marks & Spencer and Notcutts, highlighting the exhibition’s commercial relevance for the UK’s retail landscape.

For hotels surrounding the NEC campus and Birmingham Airport, exhibitions such as SOLEX help maintain steady corporate demand during the summer events calendar. Business visitors often extend their stay to explore Birmingham’s cultural attractions, shopping districts and dining scene, generating additional visitor spending beyond the exhibition itself.

Innovation and Sustainability Shape the Market

The outdoor living sector is increasingly influenced by consumer demand for durable materials, environmentally responsible manufacturing and multifunctional outdoor spaces. Exhibitors are expected to showcase products that reflect these wider market trends, including sustainable materials, energy-efficient outdoor heating and contemporary garden living concepts designed for residential and hospitality environments.

This emphasis mirrors broader developments across the international exhibition industry, where sustainability and product innovation are becoming central themes for both exhibitors and buyers.

Strengthening Birmingham’s MICE Profile

SOLEX may be a specialist industry exhibition, but its broader significance lies in its contribution to Birmingham’s position as one of the UK’s leading MICE destinations. Each successful trade exhibition reinforces the city’s ability to host international business events, supporting investment, employment and destination marketing.

With its world-class venue infrastructure, accessible transport network and growing hospitality sector, Birmingham continues to attract exhibitions that generate lasting economic value while strengthening the UK’s reputation as a competitive destination for international meetings and trade events.

As preparations continue for SOLEX 2026, the exhibition is expected to once again provide a valuable platform for innovation, networking and commercial growth, demonstrating how sector-specific trade events continue to underpin business travel and the wider visitor economy across the United Kingdom.