Originally published December 2021 as a list of 2022 events. Updated September 2026 with UK events for 2026–27 and a practical guide to getting a return from them. Dates are as published by organisers at the time of writing, so check before booking.
Quick answer: Which UK MarTech events are worth attending in 2026–27?
Key UK events for marketing technology, B2B marketing and data teams include The MarTech Summit London (November 2026), B2B Marketing Expo (London, November), B2B Ignite (London, July 2027), Big Data LDN (Olympia London, September 2027) and the new Marketing Technology Live London (ExCeL, Q4 2027). The right choice depends on your goal, whether that’s learning, buying, selling or hiring, and the value comes from planning meetings beforehand and following up quickly afterwards.
Key takeaways
- Pick events by who will be in the room, not by the size of the expo hall.
- Most event value is created before and after the day: booked meetings and fast, relevant follow-up.
- Measure events by opportunities and pipeline, not badge scans.
- Automation and AI can turn a pile of contacts into prioritised, personalised follow-up within hours.
UK MarTech, B2B marketing and data events for 2026–27
Event | When and where | Best for |
|---|---|---|
November 2026, Convene 155 Bishopsgate, London | Senior marketing and MarTech leaders; AI, data and customer intelligence | |
B2B Marketing Expo | November, London (alongside Sales Innovation Expo) | Marketing teams comparing tools and suppliers |
B2B Ignite | 1 July 2027, London | B2B marketing strategy, ABM and demand generation |
September 2027, Olympia London | Data, analytics and AI teams; data platforms and governance | |
Q4 2027 (new event), ExCeL London | Marketing, data and CX teams exploring MarTech and AI |
How do you choose which events to attend?
- Be clear on the goal. Learning, evaluating suppliers, generating pipeline, partnering and hiring each point to different events.
- Check the audience. Ask organisers for attendee job titles, seniority and sectors, and compare them with your target accounts.
- Match the format to the goal. Roundtables and small summits suit senior conversations; large expos suit supplier comparison.
- Count the full cost. Tickets or stand space, travel, materials and, above all, your team’s time.
- Look at past results. If you’ve attended before, check what pipeline it actually produced.
How do you get a return from B2B events?
Before the event
- Build a target list of accounts and people likely to attend.
- Book meetings in advance rather than relying on footfall.
- Agree what success looks like: meetings held, opportunities created, pipeline value.
During the event
- Capture context with every contact: their challenge, timing and agreed next step.
- Record consent for follow-up clearly.
- Ask one or two qualifying questions rather than collecting as many scans as possible.
After the event
- Follow up within days, while the conversation is fresh, and reference what was actually discussed.
- Prioritise contacts by fit and intent, and route the best straight to sales.
- Track every contact through to opportunity and revenue, so next year’s decision is based on evidence.
How can data and automation make events pay off?
- Sync contacts automatically. Push badge scans and notes into your CRM on the day, linked to the right accounts.
- Score and prioritise. Combine event engagement with fit and existing activity, as described in our guide to predictive analytics for B2B marketing.
- Use AI for summaries and drafts. Turn quick voice or text notes into structured records and first-draft follow-up emails for a person to review and send.
- Treat registration answers as zero-party data. What attendees tell you about their challenges is valuable. See our guide to first-party and zero-party data.
What are the most common event mistakes?
- Measuring scans instead of outcomes. A large list of unqualified contacts is not a result.
- Generic follow-up. “Great to meet you at the event” sent to everyone undoes the effort of the conversation.
- Contacts stuck in spreadsheets. If they don’t reach the CRM quickly, they go cold.
- Choosing events out of habit. Review each event against the pipeline it produced last time.
How High Digital can help
We build data and automation tools for B2B marketing teams, from capturing and enriching event contacts to AI agents that draft personalised follow-up for your team to review. Scope your project to make your next event count.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main UK MarTech events?
The MarTech Summit London, B2B Marketing Expo, B2B Ignite, Big Data LDN and, from Q4 2027, Marketing Technology Live London are among the most relevant for marketing technology, B2B and data teams.
How do you measure the ROI of a B2B event?
Track meetings held, opportunities created and pipeline value attributed to event contacts, then compare with the full cost, including staff time.
Should you exhibit or attend?
Exhibit when the audience closely matches your buyers and you can staff the stand well. Otherwise, attending with pre-booked meetings is usually more cost-effective.
How quickly should you follow up after an event?
Within days, and with a message that reflects the actual conversation. Automation helps you move fast without losing the personal touch.