Photo: National Exhibition Centre / Google MapsHotels for PPMA Show 2027 in Birmingham
PPMA Show 2027 runs 28 to 30 September at NEC Birmingham, Birmingham. More than 7,000 visitors (2025)
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- Lock today's hotel rate
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Where to stay for PPMA Show 2027: the closest hotels to NEC Birmingham are in NEC & Resorts World and Solihull, with Birmingham city centre a short ride away. Rooms near the venue sell out first, so book a free-cancellation rate early. Add your company name and tax number at checkout for an itemised company invoice.
The PPMA Show, which its organiser Automate UK calls the UK's leading free to attend exhibition for processing and packaging machinery, returns to the NEC Birmingham from Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 September 2027. It brings the whole production line together, from processing, robotics and industrial vision to labelling, filling and packaging, with live demonstrations, seminars, a networking reception and a VIP lounge, for buyers in food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, confectionery, cosmetics, pet food and logistics. 2027 is a new format: for the first time the PPMA Show is co-located with the UK Automation Show as Automate UK Week, across Halls 1 and 5 of the NEC. The 2026 show, its 39th, had more than 350 exhibitors and 1,500 brands, and the organiser reported more than 7,000 visitors in 2025. The NEC sits outside the city next to Birmingham International station and Birmingham Airport, so for PPMA Show hotels the choice is between the hotels on the NEC campus and a base in central Birmingham, Solihull or Coventry with a short train ride in. This page shows live rates near the NEC for your dates; your free visitor badge comes from the organiser and is separate from your hotel booking.
Popular areas for attendees: NEC & Resorts World · Solihull · Birmingham city centre · Coventry.
- Birmingham hotels for the PPMA Show sorted by distance to the NEC, from on campus hotels to Solihull, Coventry and the city centre
- Live rates for 28 to 30 September 2027, with dates you can change for one show day, machine install and stand build, or all three days
- Free cancellation rates shown where the hotel offers them, useful while your engineering or sales team is confirmed
- An itemised company invoice emailed at booking, plus a group quote within 24 hours via our enquiry form for exhibitor teams
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 28 Sept to 30 Sept 2027
- Venue
- NEC Birmingham
- City
- Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Airport
- BHX
- Attendance
- More than 7,000 visitors (2025)
Live rates near the venue
Hotels near NEC Birmingham for PPMA Show 2027
Free cancellation first
Flexible rooms prioritised so plans can change without penalty.
Company invoice
Itemised invoice billed to your company, emailed the moment you book.
Stay close to the venue
Hotels ranked by walking distance to the halls.
Lock today's rate
Reserve at the current price and book several rooms for the team.
Plan your stay
Rates shown for a 3 night stay, Mon, Sep 27 → Thu, Sep 30, arriving the day before the fair opens, or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
The venue, your hotel options and where to eat, all in one view. Tap the map to explore it full screen.
Booking hotels for a team or company?
Book several rooms near NEC Birmingham, keep every stay on a free-cancellation rate, and add your company name and tax number at checkout to receive an itemised invoice for your accounts, emailed the moment you book.
- Itemised company invoice, emailed instantly
- Bills to your company name and ABN / VAT / tax number
- Free-cancellation rates prioritised for changing plans
- Book multiple rooms for the team in one place
Send this page to colleagues so everyone books their own room near the venue, all at today's rate.
Exhibiting or sending a team? Tell us how many rooms you need and we will send a personalised quote within 24 hours, with the distance from every hotel to NEC Birmingham. If the closest hotels are nearly full, we split your team across neighbouring hotels a few minutes apart. Corporate accommodation for PPMA Show
Free PPMA Show Insider Guide
Do PPMA Show the easy way. Get our curated guide, plus first access to near-venue rooms before they sell out.
- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
We'll email your guide and occasional PPMA Show hotel deals. Unsubscribe anytime.
Need to expense this trip? Business invoices available at checkout.
Where should you eat during PPMA Show?
Resorts World sits right beside the NEC with a good spread of restaurants a short walk from the halls, while Birmingham city centre is about 12 minutes by train from Birmingham International to New Street for much of the city's client dining and its famous baltis.
Photo: Adam's Restaurant / Google Maps
Photo: Adam's Restaurant / Google Maps
Photo: Paul Curran / Google MapsAdam's
Modern British fine dining
City centre (Waterloo Street), about 12 minutes by train from Birmingham International to New Street plus a short walk
Adam Stokes' elegant restaurant is one of Birmingham's most celebrated dining rooms, built around seasonal produce served as a polished tasting menu. It is the natural choice when you need to impress an important client.
Tip: Ask about the private dining options when booking for a group, and reserve well ahead during fair week.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Pasture Birmingham / Google Maps
Photo: David Khan / Google Maps
Photo: Pasture Birmingham / Google MapsPasture
Steak and fire cooking
City centre (Colmore Row), about 12 minutes by train from Birmingham International to New Street plus a short walk
Set in a grand former bank building in the business district, Pasture cooks over fire in an open kitchen with an in house butcher preparing its meat. The lively room suits a team celebration or a confident client dinner.
Tip: It gets busy and loud at weekends, so book an early table on a weeknight if you want to talk business.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Akhil_Itty / Google Maps
Photo: Mark Ainscow / Google Maps
Photo: Miller & Carter Mailbox / Google MapsMiller & Carter
Steakhouse
Resorts World (beside the NEC), a short walk from the halls
A dependable steakhouse on the ground floor of Resorts World with views over the lake, serving aged steaks alongside fish and vegetarian dishes. It is the easiest sit down dinner option without leaving the NEC site.
Tip: Book ahead for evenings during the fair, when exhibitors fill Resorts World straight after the halls close.
Open in Google Maps
Photo: Vietnamese Street Kitchen / Google Maps
Photo: Vietnamese Street Kitchen / Google Maps
Photo: Kavita Favelle / Google MapsVietnamese Street Kitchen
Vietnamese
Resorts World (beside the NEC), a short walk from the halls
A family run Vietnamese kitchen on the first floor of Resorts World serving pho, bun cha, bao buns and summer rolls. It is a quick, fresh alternative to the burger and pizza chains after a long day on the stand.
Tip: The kitchen can close before the advertised closing time, so arrive in good time for a late dinner.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: Birmingham
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after PPMA Show: bookable experiences in Birmingham, same account, same checkout.
While you're in Birmingham
Birmingham packs Premier League football, two major arenas and world class orchestral music and ballet into a city that is an easy train ride from the NEC halls.
Aston Villa at Villa Park
Premier League football at one of English football's great historic grounds, with the famous Holte End behind the goal. February is the heart of the season, so check the fixture list against your fair dates.
Find ticketsConcerts at bp pulse LIVE and Utilita Arena Birmingham
The NEC Group runs two big arenas, bp pulse LIVE on the NEC site itself and Utilita Arena Birmingham in the city centre near Brindleyplace. Major tours and comedy shows play here most weeks of the year.
Find ticketsBirmingham Royal Ballet at Birmingham Hippodrome
Birmingham Royal Ballet makes the Hippodrome its home, with a major production usually staged in February. It makes a memorable evening out for clients after a day at the fair.
Find ticketsCBSO at Symphony Hall
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is based at Symphony Hall on Centenary Square, a hall renowned for its acoustics. Concerts run through the winter, so there is often a performance during fair week.
Find ticketsCrufts at the NEC
The world famous dog show fills the NEC halls for four days each spring, with 2027 set for 4 to 7 March. Hotels around the NEC book up fast that week, so plan any March visits early.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
How do you get to PPMA Show?
From Birmingham Airport (BHX)
- The free Air-Rail Link runs from the upper level of Terminal 1 to Birmingham International station, which adjoins the NEC; the organiser says it runs every two minutes, takes 90 seconds and operates daily from 05:15 to 02:00
- The NEC says over 120 National Express and Megabus coach services a day run to Birmingham Airport from across the UK
By rail and road
- The organiser says Birmingham International station is a three minute walk from Hall 5, with the NEC entrance signposted on the right as you leave the station
- Many trains run direct to Birmingham International; otherwise change at Birmingham New Street, which the organiser says takes 10 to 15 minutes
- Bus services run to the NEC from Birmingham Moor Street and Solihull stations, according to the organiser
- By car, use the postcode B40 1NT; the NEC has 16,500 parking spaces and a free shuttle bus to the hall, and the organiser advises pre-booking parking early
How do you get around during PPMA Show?
Getting to the NEC each day
- The NEC says the Hilton and Crowne Plaza hotels on its campus, and the four star Genting Hotel, are a short walk from the halls
- From central Birmingham, Solihull or Coventry, take the train to Birmingham International and walk through to the NEC
- Automate UK Week uses Halls 1 and 5 in 2027, so allow time to walk between the PPMA Show and the UK Automation Show
- TOA taxis wait at the ranks outside the NEC's main entrances and drop off at the Piazza or the Atrium entrance; Veezu is the venue's private hire partner
Around Birmingham
- The NEC campus has bars and restaurants, and Resorts World adds outlet shopping and a Cineworld with an IMAX screen for an evening after a show day
- Central Birmingham has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants for customer dinners, a short train ride from Birmingham International
- Check the last train back from Birmingham International if you plan a late dinner in the city
- Solihull and Coventry are worth a look if the campus hotels are full, with trains to Birmingham International
Do you need a visa for PPMA Show?
Visa-free / visa on arrival
- British and Irish passport holders do not need an ETA or a visa
- Most visitors who do not need a visa, including those from Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia, need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before they travel
- An ETA costs £20 and lets you visit the UK for up to six months; apply through GOV.UK, as other websites may charge more
- Each person travelling needs their own ETA
eVisa / visa required
- Nationals who are not eligible for an ETA need a Standard Visitor visa to attend the PPMA Show; check your nationality on GOV.UK
- A Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for up to six months, and the earliest you can apply is three months before you travel
- GOV.UK allows business visitors to attend trade fairs to promote their business, but you cannot sell things
- Apply early if you need a visa, and keep your badge confirmation with your application papers
Documents to carry
- A passport valid for your whole stay, the same one you used for your ETA or visa
- Your visitor badge and photo ID: the organiser asks everyone attending to carry a passport, photo driving licence or national identity card
- A letter from your employer setting out the business purpose of the trip, in case the Border Force officer asks
Entry and visa rules change; check current requirements on GOV.UK before you book.
First time at PPMA Show?
- Opening hours are 09:30 to 17:00 on Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 September and 09:30 to 16:00 on Thursday 30 September 2027
- The show is free to attend; register on the organiser's site before you go, although the admissions policy also allows visitors who register on the day
- No one under 16 is admitted because of the live and working machinery on the stands
- Visitors should have a connection or interest in the industry, and canvassing exhibitors is not allowed
- Use the PPMA Show app to plan your visit and collect and follow up leads
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- The PPMA Show names PACIFIC 7 as its hotel partner; Event Escapes is independent, so compare its offer with the live rates here
- With the UK Automation Show next door in the same week, leave time for robotics, vision and warehouse automation stands as well as packaging lines
- Staying on the NEC campus or near Birmingham International keeps the morning commute short on build and open days, when the car parks and trains are busiest
PPMA Show travel FAQs
When is PPMA Show 2027?
PPMA Show takes place 28 Sept to 30 Sept 2027 at NEC Birmingham in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Where is PPMA Show held?
PPMA Show is held at NEC Birmingham in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The nearest airport is BHX.
Where should I stay for PPMA Show?
The most convenient areas for PPMA Show are NEC & Resorts World, Solihull, Birmingham city centre, Coventry, all close to NEC Birmingham. Book a free-cancellation rate early, as hotels near the venue sell out first.
When and where is the PPMA Show 2027?
The PPMA Show 2027 runs from Tuesday 28 to Thursday 30 September 2027 at the NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT, as part of Automate UK Week in Halls 1 and 5. It opens 09:30 to 17:00 on the first two days and 09:30 to 16:00 on Thursday.
Is the PPMA Show free to attend?
Yes. The organiser describes it as free to attend for industry visitors. No one under 16 is admitted because of the working machinery. Your badge is separate from any hotel booking.
What is Automate UK Week?
Automate UK Week is the organiser's new combined event: in 2027 the PPMA Show and the UK Automation Show run at the NEC at the same time, across two halls, covering processing and packaging machinery, robotics, industrial vision and warehouse automation.
Should I stay at the NEC or in central Birmingham for the PPMA Show?
Hotels on the NEC campus, such as the Hilton, Crowne Plaza and the Genting Hotel, are a short walk from the halls, which suits exhibitors and early starts. Central Birmingham has more hotels and restaurants and is a short train ride from Birmingham International, which the organiser says is a three minute walk from Hall 5.
How do I get to the PPMA Show from Birmingham Airport?
Take the free Air-Rail Link from the upper level of Terminal 1 to Birmingham International station, which adjoins the NEC. The organiser says it runs every two minutes, takes 90 seconds and operates from 05:15 to 02:00.
Does the PPMA Show have an official hotel partner?
Yes. The organiser names PACIFIC 7 as its hotel partner. Event Escapes is independent and not affiliated with the PPMA Show or Automate UK; we show live rates across many hotels near the NEC so you can compare.
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Which hotels are closest to NEC Birmingham?
The closest hotels to the venue with the distance, the walk or ride time and an indicative nightly rate, refreshed weekly. Live prices for your exact dates are in the booking section above. Last checked 2 November 2026.
Cheap and 3 star hotels near NEC Birmingham
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ababeel Restaurant & Hotel★★★ | 7.3 km | ~24 min ride | £75 |
| Red Wing Lodge Hotel★★★ | 8.7 km | ~28 min ride | £60 |
More hotels close to NEC Birmingham
| Hotel | Distance to venue | Walk or ride | From per night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Birmingham Metropole★★★★ | 0.4 km | ~6 min walk | £278 |
| Genting Hotel & Spa at Resorts World Birmingham★★★★ | 0.6 km | ~9 min walk | £292 |
| Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC by IHG★★★★ | 0.7 km | ~10 min walk | £219 |
| Novotel Birmingham Airport★★★★ | 0.9 km | ~13 min walk | £174 |
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with PPMA Show or its organizers. Dates and venues can change. Verify with the official event site before booking travel.