With Care Show Birmingham around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning how to make the most of your time at the event. Whether it is your first visit or you are a seasoned attendee, a little preparation can go a long way towards ensuring you leave the NEC feeling informed, connected and full of ideas to take back to your organisation. 

From a packed conference programme and a busy exhibition floor to new features, networking opportunities and practical sessions, there is plenty to explore across both days. Here are some top tips to help you make the most of your Care Show Birmingham experience. 

Plan your day in advance 

Care Show Birmingham is packed with sessions from expert speakers, lively panel discussions and practical conversations, alongside a wide range of exhibitors and features. Take some time before the event to review the full programme and highlight the sessions most relevant to your role and interests. 

If you have not already, use the show app to bookmark sessions, explore the exhibitor list and plan your time onsite. With two full days to make use of, there is plenty of opportunity to attend a broad range of sessions, so try not to limit yourself only to the topics most closely connected to your current role. 

         

It is worth leaving some time between sessions to move around the show, visit exhibitors and continue conversations, but planning ahead will help you navigate the day with purpose and avoid missing out on content you are particularly interested in. 

Some sessions not to miss include: 

Supporting safety: a closer look at delegated healthcare tasks 

Homecare Theatre, Wednesday 7 October, 10:15 – 10:45 

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The dawn of a new era: Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) 

People & Workforce Theatre, Wednesday 7 October, 14:20 - 14:50 

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Confidence in AI: a digitally-upskilled workforce 

Technology & Innovation Theatre, Wednesday 7 October, 12:15-13:00 

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Building confident and competent teams to deal with increasingly complex care needs 

Homecare Theatre, Thursday 8 October, 12:15 – 13:00 

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Beyond borders: the global insights and innovation shaping the future of adult social care 

Keynote Theatre, Thursday 8 October, 14:15 – 15:00 

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Career development: career pathways beyond the frontline 

People & Workforce Theatre, Wednesday 7 October, 15:10 – 15:55 

You can also explore sessions covering inclusive care, dementia, design, workforce wellbeing, commissioning, digital transformation and many other areas across the programme. 

 

Explore new exhibitors 

It is easy to head straight for the familiar names, but make sure you allow time to explore the full exhibitor list. 

New suppliers bring fresh ideas, products and approaches that could help address some of the challenges facing your organisation. Ask questions, request demonstrations and take the time to understand how different solutions could work in practice. 

Before you arrive, make a note of any exhibitors you particularly want to visit. This will help you make the most of the exhibition floor alongside the conference programme. 

Make networking a priority 

Care Show Birmingham is more than an exhibition. It is an opportunity to connect with people working across all areas of the sector, share experiences and continue conversations that begin in the theatres. 

The new Care Business Clinic, taking place in the Owners’ & Directors’ Forum, offers an informal opportunity to ask experienced care leaders about the challenges you are facing. Whether your question is about staffing, funding, occupancy, growth or the day-to-day realities of running a service, the clinic is designed to provide practical insight from people who have already faced similar decisions. 

The clinic takes place on Wednesday 7 October from 15:45–17:00 and Thursday 8 October from 14:45–16:00. There is no need to book. Simply turn up, find a mentor and ask away. 

You can also visit the CQC stand to ‘Meet the Inspector’, spend time in the Homecare Association Lounge, or drop into the Digital Care Hub Workshop Zone to ask questions about technology, data and cyber security. 

The Care Sector’s Got Talent finale will take place at the end of the first day, offering another opportunity to meet other attendees in a more informal setting. Grab a drink, and get to know a new care colleague!  

Branch out 

While it is important to attend sessions relevant to your current role, do not be afraid to step outside your usual areas of interest. The care sector is changing quickly, and discussions around digital transformation, workforce wellbeing, neighbourhood health, design or sustainability may offer useful ideas for your organisation. 

Back by popular demand, The Outstanding Society Learning Lounge has a number of focused sessions, covering topics from complaints and falls management, to end-of-life planning and inclusive care. These discussions offer practical perspectives from across the sector so make sure to check these out when planning your visit. 

Take notes and follow up 

With so much happening across the two days, it is easy to leave buzzing with so many new ideas that you’re struggling to remember them all. Bring a notebook (or grab a freebie!) to record key takeaways, new contacts and action points. 

After the show, review your notes and follow up with new contacts while the conversations are still fresh. If you attended on behalf of your team, consider arranging a short debrief to share what you learned and identify any ideas worth exploring further. 

Enjoy the day 

Finally, give yourself time to enjoy the experience. Care Show Birmingham is a chance to step away from the day-to-day, hear from people working across the sector, discover something new and spend time with colleagues and peers. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Care Show Birmingham on 7–8 October at the NEC Birmingham. Plan your visit today.