Last week, a few members of the Stream7 team – Darren, Andy, and Emily – had the pleasure of spending two action-packed days at International Confex and the Event Production Show at ExCeL London. These two flagship events sit right at the heart of the UK’s events industry calendar, so they were the perfect opportunity for us to reconnect with our network, meet new faces, and explore the latest innovations that are shaping the future of live and hybrid events.
Whether you’re deep in the world of event production or just curious about what’s coming next in the industry, these shows are always worth attending. Here’s a bit more about them and what we got up to while we were there.
What are International Confex and the Event Production Show?
International Confex is one of the largest gatherings for event organisers in the UK. It’s been running for over 40 years and brings together professionals from across the live events spectrum – from corporate event planners and agencies to venue managers and suppliers. Confex is all about sharing ideas, discovering new solutions, and making meaningful connections. You can expect thought-provoking panels, supplier showcases, and plenty of opportunities to chat with people who make the events industry tick.
Running alongside Confex is the Event Production Show. This show is specifically tailored for production professionals, suppliers, and anyone responsible for delivering the technical side of live events. From staging and AV to health and safety and crowd management, EPS is where the nuts and bolts of live event delivery are on display.
Together, these two events create an unrivalled opportunity to catch up on what’s happening across every part of our industry – and we made the most of it!
Our Highlights from the Shows
For us, these events are never just about the latest products (although we love seeing those too!). They’re about the people – the trusted partners we work with on projects, the suppliers who help us bring our clients’ ideas to life, and the new faces who might just be part of our next exciting production.
Reconnecting with Our Partners and Suppliers
One of the biggest highlights of the trip was catching up with so many of our regular partners and suppliers. The relationships we’ve built over the years are a huge part of how we deliver seamless, high-quality event productions, so it was brilliant to have the chance to check in face to face. Whether it was discussing upcoming projects, hearing about new services, or just having a proper catch-up, we really value these moments of connection.
Meeting New People in the Industry
As much as we love seeing familiar faces, it was just as exciting to meet new people working across the events industry. These shows always attract a diverse crowd, from fellow event production specialists to venue teams, tech providers, and freelance event pros. With the industry evolving so quickly, it’s great to exchange ideas with people who are pushing things forward in their own areas of expertise.
Seeing the Tecna Rebrand
One stand-out moment was seeing the fresh new look from Tecna. We’ve always admired their innovative modular display solutions, so it was great to check out their rebrand in person. Their refreshed identity and updated offering are looking fantastic – we can’t wait to see how this next chapter unfolds for them and how we can work together on future projects.
Quality Time with Event Tech Innovators
Platforms are a huge part of how we deliver hybrid events, so we loved having the chance to spend time with suppliers like Yoonity. Hearing what’s new, what’s coming next, and how their developments can support our clients’ experiences is exactly why these shows are so valuable. These conversations help us stay ahead of the curve and make sure we’re always offering the best solutions possible.
Great Food and Even Better Company
It wasn’t all work! After the doors closed, we enjoyed a brilliant meal with old and new friends from across the industry, including folks from Grip, Event Tech Live, and some of our favourite freelance event organisers. The events world is built on collaboration, and there’s nothing better than sharing a meal with people who understand the highs and lows of what we do.
Exploring New Suppliers
One of our ongoing goals at Stream7 is to continue growing and evolving what we can offer our clients. That means keeping an eye out for new kit, fresh technology, and trusted partners who can help us take our productions to the next level. With so many innovative suppliers under one roof, Confex and EPS gave us the chance to have those exploratory conversations and start thinking about where we can go next. Watch this space!
Why We Go
After two full days at ExCeL, we came away feeling inspired, informed, and excited about the future. These shows are a reminder of just how creative, dynamic, and collaborative the events industry can be. They also reinforce something we’ve always believed – that the strongest events happen when great people, great ideas, and great technology come together.
To everyone we saw, met, and spoke to over the two days – thank you! We’re looking forward to staying in touch and seeing where the conversations take us. And if you’re reading this and want to chat about how we can work together on your next event (or just fancy a coffee to talk all things production), we’d love to hear from you.
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