A round-up of Lab Innovations 2021

Lab Innovations, the UK’s largest trade exhibition for the laboratory industry, returned to the NEC, Birmingham, on November 3 and 4, 2021 and brought the laboratory community together for the first time after almost two years apart. With 3,117 visitors, the show gave the industry’s leading professionals and companies the chance to meet face-to-face, network and discover the latest innovations.

Lab Innovations 2021 once again proved to be the largest show around for the UK’s laboratory industry as it made a triumphant return to the NEC after the disruption of the last 18 months. The hall was packed with exhibitors and visitors across the two days, many of them commented on the busy atmosphere and positive feeling throughout the show.

An opportunity for some much-needed networking, many meetings at the show were arranged before Lab Innovations had even opened its doors. Lab Connect, an online networking platform to connect exhibitors and visitors, recorded 466 confirmed meetings with an average rating of 4.5 out of 5. This was higher than the previous show in 2019, showing an increase in the quantity and quality of meetings through Lab Connect.

Karl Robertson, managing director at ECH Scientific, one of this year’s exhibitors, said, “This has been a great show. Turnout was really good and we managed to meet with some old customers and new ones too. We’ve already signed up for the next show.”

Any thought of a post-COVID dip compared to previous years were quickly dispelled with the buzz around this year’s show. Simon Osborne, president at Analytix, commented, “The show was busier than we thought it would be. The number of leads we’ve had come through is as good as previous years.”

Keynote speakers included Timandra Harkness, science writer, broadcaster and comedian as well as Mark Miodownik, professor of materials and society and director of institute of making at University College London. Timandra Harkness commented, “Presenting at Lab Innovations was like playing at Glastonbury, but with more pipettes!”

The show also hosted Sustainable Laboratory, a showcase of cutting-edge equipment and processes used to reduce the laboratory industry’s environmental impact, presented by Andy Evans, director of laboratory sustainability consultancy Green Light Laboratories.

“Lab Innovations is a great opportunity for end users to see how our equipment works in a real laboratory environment and how the data that we have collected can help them be more sustainable in their own labs,” added Andy Evans.

3,117 visitors attended Lab Innovations this year including new qualified visitors that came from co-located Advanced Engineering to discover laboratory solutions. To add to the excitement, this year’s show featured a brand-new event held in collaboration with Laboratory News, the Lab Awards. These prestigious awards highlighted the key achievements of the laboratory industry, recognising the incredible work of individuals, suppliers and projects, and were awarded on day one in the show’s VIP lounge, sponsored by Analytix.

Exhibitor bookings for Lab Innovations 2022 are already open, and, 80 per cent of this year’s exhibitors already signed up, it’s bound to be the best show yet. To book your stand at the show, taking place on November 2 and 3, 2022, at the NEC, Birmingham, visit www.lab-innovations.com.

And don’t forget that Lab Innovations South, an exclusive one-day event for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and life sciences sectors, is taking place on April 20 2022 in London. Only 30 supplier places are available as well as 300-500 visitor and conference places. With companies like Edwards Vacuum, Guardtech Cleanrooms, IKA, GPE, My Green Lab and Novacyt already booked, places are filling fast.