September is going to be a very busy month for exhibition stands in the West Midlands.

Thousands of buyers, business owners, industry professionals and decision-makers will be descending on Birmingham and Solihull for some of the biggest trade events of the year. That's fantastic news if you've booked a stand. It also means you'll be competing with hundreds of other exhibitors for attention.

A bowl of sweets and a pile of brochures might not cut it.

Midlands Premier Events can help turn your exhibition space into somewhere delegates actually want to visit, with exhibition games and snack hire, arcade machines, competitive challenges, photo experiences, giveaways and live catering attractions available across Birmingham, Solihull and the wider West Midlands.

First Up: Autumn Fair at the NEC Birmingham

Running from 6-9 September 2026, Autumn Fair brings the home, gift and fashion industries together at the NEC. With more than 800 exhibiting brands and over 13,000 trade buyers expected, there's going to be a lot competing for visitors' attention.

Retail exhibitions lend themselves brilliantly to interactive promotions. Instead of simply giving away branded merchandise, put it inside a Candy Claw Grabber. Run a reaction competition. Set up a retro arcade game. Create a photo opportunity.

Something that takes 30 seconds to play can turn somebody walking past into somebody standing on your exhibition space.

INDX Home Comes to Solihull

On 8-9 September, INDX Home returns to Cranmore Park in Solihull with more than 200 international brands covering kitchen and dining, home living, textiles, electricals, storage and accessories.

For exhibitors at buying shows, dwell time matters. The longer somebody remains on your stand, the greater the opportunity to discuss products and build a relationship.

Something sociable such as Foosball Table Hire, Virtual Pinball or one of our Retro Arcade Machines can create an informal stopping point without dominating the business side of your stand.

Then the NEC Gets Seriously Busy

The middle of September sees several major industry exhibitions arrive at the NEC simultaneously.

The Resource & Waste Management Expo takes place on 16-17 September, bringing together businesses from recycling, waste management, logistics, processing and environmental services. The Emergency Services Show also runs on 16-17 September and expects thousands of professionals from the police, fire, ambulance, search and rescue and wider emergency-services community.

When halls are packed with specialist exhibitors, competition can work particularly well.

Bring out the Batak Reaction Game and find the fastest reactions in the industry. Add Basketball Arcade Hire and start a highest-score competition, or test steady hands with our Giant Buzzwire.

Add a Leaderboard and you've got a challenge that can continue for the entire show.

Networking at the Birmingham Business Expos?

September isn't only about enormous NEC shows.

Regional networking exhibitions also give businesses an opportunity to meet potential customers, suppliers and partners. The Midlands Business Network Expo, for example, arrives at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull on 25 September.

At a networking-led exhibition, we'd think differently about entertainment. You don't necessarily need the biggest attraction available. You want something that makes starting conversations easier.

Our Electronic Darts, arcade machines and tabletop games can create that informal atmosphere where two strangers end up playing together before talking business.

UK Construction Week Birmingham: 29 September-1 October

The month finishes with a big one.

UK Construction Week Birmingham returns to the NEC from 29 September until 1 October, bringing built-environment professionals together for three days of exhibitions, speakers, innovation and business.

If your stand is surrounded by construction products, technology demonstrations and technical information, a physical challenge can provide welcome contrast.

Try a reaction game. Run a sporting competition. Bring in a High Striker Strength Game. Put prizes behind the challenge and publish the day's best scores.

A little friendly competition can do a surprising amount of work for your stand.

October Doesn't Get Any Quieter

September may be packed, but the autumn exhibition calendar keeps moving.

The Motorhome & Caravan Show takes over the NEC from 13-18 October, spanning 11 halls with manufacturers, dealers, accessories and thousands of visitors interested in leisure vehicles and touring.

For large public exhibitions like this, attractions with instant visual appeal are particularly valuable. Visitors should be able to see what's happening and understand how to join in without needing a lengthy explanation.

Five Ways We Can Make Your Exhibition Stand More Interesting

You don't need to fill the stand with equipment. Sometimes one well-chosen attraction is enough.

Here are five very different approaches:

• Start a competition: use reaction games, basketball, sports challenges or other score-based attractions.
• Create an arcade corner: explore our Arcade Games Hire and give delegates somewhere to play.
• Gamify the giveaway: put promotional prizes into a claw machine rather than leaving them on a table.
• Create a photo moment: browse our Photo Booth Hire for something guests can participate in together.
• Feed them: make your stand the place everyone visits when the mid-afternoon hunger arrives.

Yes, We Can Bring the Snacks Too

Never underestimate the exhibition-pulling power of something that smells good.

Fresh Popcorn, Candy Floss and Waffle Sticks can provide refreshments while simultaneously creating activity around your stand.

For something different, consider our Chocolate Tap, Pretzel Hire, Croissant Cart or Personalised Pick & Mix Stand.

Refreshments can become part of the activation rather than simply something hidden behind the counter for staff.

Don't Wait Until Setup Day to Think About Engagement

If you're exhibiting at the NEC, Cranmore Park, National Motorcycle Museum or another West Midlands exhibition venue this autumn, now is the time to decide what visitors are actually going to do when they reach your stand.

Midlands Premier Events can provide a single attraction or help put together a wider collection of exhibition stand equipment based around your floor space, audience and objectives.

We've been supplying events since 2010 and regularly work throughout Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry and the wider Midlands, with nationwide exhibition hire also available.

So, if your company is exhibiting this September or October, don't just book the stand and hope people stop.

Give them a reason.

Contact Midlands Premier Events and tell us where you're exhibiting, how much stand space you've got and what you're hoping to achieve. We'll help you find games, attractions and catering options capable of turning passing footfall into actual interaction.