The Innovation Challenge will make its Euro Bus Expo debut at the NEC Birmingham on 1-3 November. Bringing together the most notable product and service developments from across the industry, it gives visitors the opportunity to quickly and easily discover what’s new and next in a sector rife with innovation.

The next wave of ideas
The Challenge will highlight the most significant new initiatives from hundreds of leading and emerging brands exhibiting at Euro Bus Expo. Among these, visitors will discover innovations that could be the key to cutting costs, driving productivity, and unlocking future growth for their businesses.

Euro Bus Expo is a proven platform to find out about the latest products available. It attracts thousands of bus, coach and mini-vehicle operators, local authorities and stakeholders to find out about new initiatives, from energy-efficient vehicles, through technology, equipment, accessories, and business services.

After the last event, Robert Williams, chief executive officer of Reading Buses said: “I always enjoy attending the show to see the latest innovations and developments, gather new ideas and meet suppliers. There’s nothing like having all the options under one roof to help shape our buying decisions.”

Exclusive to Exhibitors
Exhibiting suppliers are invited to enter their product or service launching at Euro Bus Expo, or in the 12 months prior, which they feel deserves recognition for innovation.
Says event director Helen Conway: “Following its successful launch at Coach & Bus UK in 2019, the Innovation Challenge celebrates new products and services from across the industry.

“As well as giving visitors a convenient way to discover all the latest initiatives, the challenge is an extra opportunity for exhibitors to showcase the very best of their work and highlight the importance it has on shaping the future of our sector.”

Judged by the Industry
Entries will be displayed in the Innovation Challenge Gallery, where visitors will vote for their favourites on the first and second days of the show. Suppliers of innovations with the most votes will deliver a 90-second pitch of their product or service to a panel of industry judges and visitors in the Masterclass Theatre. The judges will award bronze, silver or gold award certificates, and winners can relish the moment of having one of the most innovative products or services at Euro Bus Expo 2022.

Judges include Phil Hitchen, MD of Belle Vue Coaches; Chloe Leach-O’Connell, MD of LeachO’Connell Consultancy; Jon Eardley, MD at Abellio London; Tom Morgan, group commercial director at trentbarton; and Josh Miles, director CPT Cymru at Confederation of Passenger Transport UK. 

Says John Clarfelt, former CEO at Ticketer: “I highly recommend entering if you are looking to launch a new product or service. We were excited to be involved in the Innovation Challengeat Coach & Bus UK 2019. “It was a chance to get in front of the whole exhibition audience and showcase something we are proud of, which could really benefit the industry. Reaching the finals and winning the gold award was naturally a bonus.”