Birmingham has won the bid to host the 18th
edition of the European Robotics Forum (ERF) in 2027.
The conference is set to attract more than 1,500
international engineers, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs and policy
makers, with the Forum estimated to be worth £1.55 million for Birmingham and
the wider West Midlands’ visitor economy.
The ICC Birmingham – part of the NEC Group – will host the
event from 1-5 March 2027, with industry tours on the final day at some of the
region’s most successful, internationally-recognised companies.
The Birmingham bid was won by ambassadors in the region from
the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry and the University of
Birmingham, with the support of the Birmingham and West Midlands Convention
Bureau, part of the West Midlands Growth Company, and the ICC Birmingham.
“This is a testament to the strength of robotics innovation
not just at the MTC and in the West Midlands, but across the UK. ERF 2027 will
be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the UK's thriving robotics community on
a global stage,” said Karol Janik, ERF2027 general chair and robotics & automation
technology manager at MTC.
“I’m incredibly proud to have led a strong team from MTC,
the University of Birmingham, and the Birmingham and West Midlands Convention
Bureau in securing this bid.”
