The UK is one of Europe’s most important technological hubs. For this reason, many large-scale IT events take place here. If you’re looking to come to the UK to visit an IT event, this blog post will help you to find out which of the UK’s various IT events is the ideal one for you to visit.
As well as looking at the biggest IT events in the UK, we’re also going to look at your options for entering the UK if you are from outside of the EEA. This is an important factor that you must take into account if you plan to visit the UK, as if you’re from outside of the EEA you will need a visa.
Highlight Events
While there are a huge number of IT events in the UK, listing them all here would be almost impossible! Instead, we have decided to focus on some of the biggest shows in the IT space that take place in the UK.
Digital Transformation Expo Europe
October 9th and 10th – London
This event will have 16,000 attendees discussing digital transformation in a wide variety of tech-related domains. From security specialists to enterprise, the Digital Transformation Expo Europe 2019 will be unmissable for IT pros.
Big Data LDN
November 13th and 14th – London
With over 100 vendors and 130 expert speakers participating, this year’s Big Data LDN is a one-stop-shop for IT pros interested in the future of data. With data being an increasingly important commodity, this show is a must-visit.
AI World & Cyber Security 2019
November 14th and 15th – London
With AI being a huge developmental area for tech, this show is bound to be of interest to those in the tech sphere. Offering a number of vendors and expert speakers, the show is vital for seeing where AI and cybersecurity are heading.
Tech For Good Gathering
5th December – London
This gathering is intended for those who wish to use tech to affect positive changes in the world. While it is easy to see the downsides of technology, this show shows what can be done for the global good.
Cloud Expo Europe
11th and 12th March 2020 – London
One of the world’s most comprehensive cloud computing expos, Cloud Expo Europe is a gathering of over 800 expert speakers in the growing field of cloud computing. As well as the expert speakers, there are also over 700 exhibitors showing world-changing tech at the show. If your business is involved in cloud computing, there is no better show to attend in 2020.
IoT Tech Expo Global 2020
17th and 18th March 2020 – London
For those involved in the Internet of Things, the IoT Tech Expo Global is a must-visit. Over 300 vendors and 500 expert speakers mean that this expo is rammed packed with information on the ever-evolving “Internet of Things”.
Getting Into The UK To Visit An IT Event
If you’re coming to the UK purely to visit an IT event and you are from outside of the EEA, you’re going to need a Standard Visitor Visa. A Standard Visitor Visa offers holders a stay of up to 6 months in the UK in order to visit the country for a variety of reasons, these include visiting trade shows.
You can also use your visa to take a break in the UK if you want to extend your stay after visiting your IT event. This is an ideal option for those who want to combine a leisure trip with a business one. As the vast majority of IT events take place in the UK’s major cities, you will also have a variety of travel options for getting around. You can reach almost anywhere in the UK from either London or Birmingham, both of which are major transport hubs.
Working At An IT Event For Visa Holders
You cannot do paid work while you’re on a Standard Visitor Visa, but you are able to do business-related activities. You can use your Standard Visitor Visa to conduct meetings and even conclude business deals while in the UK. It is important that you are mindful of what you can and cannot do while in the UK on a Standard Visitor Visa, as failure to comply could lead to your visa being cancelled and your future options for coming to the UK limited. UK Visas and Immigration takes a dim view of failing to comply with UK visa restrictions.
You will, however, be able to display your business at an IT event in the UK, as long as you are not being paid to do so. This is ideal for businesses looking to create contacts in the UK, and an ideal way to display your products in one of Europe’s biggest IT hubs.
Travelling To The UK
As you can see, the vast majority of IT exhibitions in the UK are based in its capital, London. As one of the world’s major cities, it is easy to reach from almost anywhere in the world. London has several major airports that make travelling straightforward, and an integrated transport system that makes it easy and cheap to get around. As well as visiting your exhibition, you may want to spend a few days travelling around to enjoy the city of London itself. With lots of tour options available, you can see a lot of London in a short space of time.
While in many ways London is a global leading tech hub, it also has a significant history. Travel around London to see how the city has managed to grow while also maintaining amazing historical sites such as the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace (all of which are on the London Underground metro system). If you have never been, London is an amazing city that you should make the most of during your stay.
Video – What is IT?
IT stands for Information Technology. The term refers to the development, maintenance, and usage of computers and networks. It also includes data processing and distribution.