Engineering and tech conferences are a great place to grow your network, learn about new opportunities and find your next role. Being a regular at these engineering and tech conferences will help you to stay ahead of the curve, learn new skills and discover the latest innovations.
There are many different types of engineering and tech conferences, from small-scale events focused on a specific niche to large-scale gatherings that cover a broad range of topics. No matter what your interests are, there is sure to be an engineering or tech conference that is perfect for your sector.
Here are five of the most popular engineering and tech conferences that take place every year. Consider attending these if you want to stay ahead of the competition.
The Manufacturing and Engineering Conference Exhibition (MECE) is one of the UK’s leading events for engineers and manufacturers. The yearly conference focuses on helping businesses to increase productivity, efficiency and competitiveness. MECE also provides attendees with the opportunity to network with industry peers, learn about the latest innovations and find new suppliers.
The WES Annual Conference is a three-day event that focuses on the career development of women engineers. The conference features keynote speeches, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities. Attendees can also enjoy a range of social activities, including a gala dinner and an awards ceremony.
Advanced Engineering is one of the UK’s largest engineering trade shows. The event focuses on promoting the latest innovations and technology within the engineering sector. Attendees can network with leading suppliers, discover new products and find out about the latest industry trends.
The Association of University Engineers Annual Conference (AUE) is a three-day event that focuses on the latest engineering research and developments. The conference features a range of keynote speeches, panel discussions and workshops. Attendees can also enjoy social events, including a gala dinner and an awards ceremony.
London Tech Week is a week-long event that celebrates the capital’s tech community. The event features a range of conferences, exhibitions, meetups and networking opportunities. Attendees can learn about the latest innovations, meet with leading tech companies and find out about new job opportunities.
These are just five of the many engineering and technology conferences to consider. There are so many more available, covering the broadest to the most niche specialities.
Whatever stage you are at in your career, you can always benefit from attending a tech conference. Students can use the opportunity to make connections and learn about job openings. Recent graduates can demonstrate their enthusiasm for the sector. And established engineers can give back to their community by giving talks and running workshops.
Conferences typically only last for a few days, so you need to act quickly in order to make the most of the opportunity. Here are our top tips:
Before booking your ticket, make sure you research the conference to see if it is relevant to your interests. Read through the event website and look at the list of speakers to get an idea of what will be covered.
Conferences are a great place to connect with people in your sector. Attend as many networking events as possible and exchange business cards with as many people as you can.
Social media can be a great way to connect with other attendees before, during and after the conference. Follow the event hashtag on Twitter and join in the conversation. You may even make some valuable connections online.
You never know who you’re going to meet at a conference, so it’s always useful to have plenty of business cards on hand.
With so much happening at a conference, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed. Make sure you plan your time wisely and focus on the sessions that are most relevant to you. Arrive with a plan so that you don't miss out on any opportunities.
Once the conference is over, make sure you follow up with the contacts you’ve made. Send them an email or connect with them on LinkedIn. If you’ve made a good connection, they may even remember you for future opportunities.
