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About Hillhead

Invest NI is planning a Northern Ireland stand at Hillhead, Buxton in June 2026.

Exhibiting at Hillhead enables you to promote products and services to an audience of over 19,500 industry visitors from across the quarrying, construction and recycling sectors.

Hillhead is an external exhibition located in Buxton quarry. The exhibition includes external sites, organiser pavilions and external demonstration areas. Hillhead provides the opportunity for buyers and sellers to engage, feel, touch and interact with the products on show, in an exciting and vibrant atmosphere.

For 2026 Invest NI is offering exhibition packages in two separate locations.

External Exhibition Package

Invest NI will secure an external site (3,102sqm) which will be subdivided into individual sites for participant companies. It is anticipated that this site will accommodate approximately 14 companies over a variety of site sizes to facilitate product display.  Average site allocation will be 148sqm (approx.). We do not anticipate facilitating sites in excess of 336sqm. When applying for an external site, companies must identify the preferred site size, the quantity and dimensions of all the product(s) for display and the portable office/cabin.*  

*Please note that the hire, logistics and costs of a portable office/cabin and the logistics and cost of product shipping to the event is the responsibility of the participating company. 

Internal Pavilion Package

Based on feedback, Invest NI is planning a group stand within the Organiser Pavilion, instead of constructing a standalone Northern Ireland Pavilion on the external exhibition site as in previous years. The Organiser Pavilion is located in the quarry basin, adjacent to the Organiser’s Office.

It is anticipated that the stand will accommodate 6 companies with 3 space options available*: 

  • 2 x 9sqm Booth (can accommodate product display) 
  • 2 x 6sqm Booth (can accommodate product display) 
  • 2 x Workstation (cannot accommodate product display) 

* Please note that the space configurations for the Internal Pavillion are anticipated. The space options will be fully confirmed once the internal site has been secured and demand from companies is known. 

Who should consider attending Hillhead?

This exhibition is suitable for: 

  • Businesses with a product or service used in quarrying or recycling
  • Businesses with products suitable for the GB market

Who is eligible to attend Hillhead?

Our International Trade Calendar exhibitions and trade missions are only available to Invest Northern Ireland clients who meet the eligibility criteria. Find out how to become a client. 

Please note that spaces to attend this event are limited. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis subject to a completed application form and participation payment.

Cost

Invest NI will be offering two exhibition options at Hillhead:

External Exhibition Package

£24/sqm + VAT

It is anticipated that the site will accommodate approximately 14 companies. Invest NI will allocate sites on a first come, first served basis, whilst also considering the dimensions of the equipment to be displayed and availability of space on the site. Based on previous experience Invest NI will be unlikely to offer an external site greater than 336sqm.

Internal Pavilion Package (located within the Organiser Pavilion)

£399/sqm + VAT

3 pavilion options are anticipated:  

  • 2 x 9sqm Booth @ £3,591+VAT 
  • 2 x 6sqm Booth @ £2,394+VAT
  • 2 x workstation @ £1,596+VAT

Internal spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis, with consideration for the option requested and space available.

Next steps

Please complete the eligibility checker below to request, complete and return an application form.

  • For the External Exhibition Package, a completed application includes:  
    • A completed application form with deposit payment
    • An indication of the size of site required
    • The dimensions of the product(s) being displayed
    • The dimensions of the office/cabin to be accommodated on the site
  • For the Internal Pavilion Package, a completed application includes: 
    • A completed application form with deposit payment
    • An indication of the preferred space option (9sqm, 6sqm or workstation)

To be considered for participation Invest NI must be in receipt of a completed application form and deposit payment (£750+ VAT) by Wednesday 28 May 2025.

Completed applications will be reviewed between 28 May – 27 June.  Successful applications will be confirmed on Monday, 30 June.

*Please note that the hire, logistics and costs of a portable office/cabin and the logistics and cost of product shipping to the event is the responsibility of the participating company.

Benefits of attending the exhibition with Invest NI

Participation benefits include:

  • Opportunity to exhibit at a flagship show on the Northern Ireland stand
  • A competitive participation fee
  • Promotion of event participation pre, during and post event
  • Grant assistance of £250 per person towards travel and accommodation for a maximum of two company employees*

*This is subject to the completion of a short post exhibition evaluation questionnaire

Interested in participating?

To check your eligibility to participate, please answer these three questions.

Is your business eligible?

Answer the following questions to find out if you can apply.

Q1 - Is your business currently based in Northern Ireland?
Q2 - Can your product or service be sold to customers outside Northern Ireland?
Q3 - Are you an existing Invest Northern Ireland customer?

It is critical to understand any regulatory, compliance, and procedural issues that might affect your product or service in your target market.

A rule or regulation could stop you exporting, therefore it makes sense to find out before you spend any time or money exploring your export options.

Based on your answers your business is eligible to apply for this event.

Complete the following form and one of our international trade advisors will be in touch to discuss the next steps.

For information on how we use your personal data including your rights, see our privacy notice.

Based on your answers, you should discuss your business’ support needs with an Invest NI advisor.

Complete the following form and one of our advisors will be in touch to discuss the next steps.

Sorry, based on your answers your business does not meet the eligibility criteria for support from Invest NI

Considering doing business with Northern Ireland? Find out more about Northern Ireland’s highly skilled talent, excellent infrastructure, competitive costs, and supportive, business-friendly environment – see Why Northern Ireland?

The UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade offers a wide range of free export support. To find out more, visit great.gov.uk.

Based on your answers, your business is not eligible to receive support to attend this event.

Find more about Invest NI’s support for business.

The nibusinessinfo.co.uk website offers a wide range of help, support and guidance to help you start, run and grow a business.