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The UK's leading Laboratory exhibition
What can you expect from the Lab Innovations conference?
Lab Innovations conference is the leading free CPD accredited laboratory conference in the UK, where professionals gain practical insight from sector experts. Across five focused stages, the 2026 agenda examines AI and automation, sustainability, quality and operational practice, biotech innovation and helping laboratory teams apply new ideas and stay current with sector developments.
All content at Lab Innovations 2026 is CPD accredited by The CPD Group. Attendees can download their CPD certificate, evidence of professional learning and development, onsite at the event.
Take a look at this year's speaker lineup so far
What will you learn at the Lab Innovations conference?
Quality Infrastructure Stage
Strengthen compliance and reduce supply-chain risk. This stage provides practical guidance for laboratories seeking to maintain robust standards, improve confidence in their processes and build capability in quality-focused roles.
Learn from experts through applied advice, live demonstrations and best-practice examples that help quality, technical and laboratory leaders turn regulatory and operational requirements into clear next steps.
Royal Society of Chemistry Stage
In partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry
Discover practical ways to make everyday laboratory work more efficient and sustainable. Sessions focus on reducing waste, lowering energy use and adopting greener processes without compromising scientific productivity.
Alongside sustainability insight, hear how robotics and automation are changing laboratory workflows. This stage is particularly relevant for technicians and teams seeking useful, implementable improvements.
Future of Laboratories Stage
Powered by My Green Lab and Laboratory News
Explore the environmental questions shaping the next generation of laboratories. This stage examines sustainable laboratory practice in depth, including responsible approaches to pharmaceutical operations and the realities behind green claims.
Gain fresh perspectives on how laboratories can make credible progress, assess sustainability priorities and respond to the sector’s changing environmental expectations.
Biotech Stage
Sponsored by Cytiva
Stay informed on the scientific and commercial developments reshaping biotechnology. Hear insight into biobanking, personalised medicine, genomics, AI in biotech, clinical and medical laboratory skills, and sustainable drug development.
The Biotech Stage helps life sciences, healthcare and research professionals understand what rapid change means for their future.
Lab Live
Sponsored by Sartorius AG
Discover practical approaches to creating cleaner, more sustainable laboratory environments. Presentations focus on greener processes and solutions that balance environmental responsibility with productivity and operational performance.
Visitors can take away relevant ideas for improving day-to-day laboratory practice, reducing impact and making sustainability a workable part of laboratory operations.
Quality & Compliance
Uniting to ensure excellence, safety, and resilience
Collaboration with all lab professionals is key to tackling global supply chain challenges and ensuring quality, compliance and innovation in lab processes.
Applied Innovation
Solving challenges across industry, together
Across F&D, biotech, chemicals, and manufacturing, collaboration is turning innovation into impact. New technologies and shared expertise are shaping the future of industry.
Sustainability
Collaborating to build greener, more responsible labs
Explore the latest in sustainable lab practices, green chemistry, and carbon-neutral research—and how the industry is working together to reduce environmental impact.
Skills
Developing scientific talent through shared expertise
Discover how labs, training providers, and institutions are working together to close the skills gap, support continuous learning, and futureproof the scientific workforce.
AI & Automation
Reinventing research through connected minds and machines
See how AI, robotics, and digital transformation are revolutionising the way scientists work, ensuring faster, more accurate, and more efficient research.
If you can't wait until the event, why not hear from lab industry experts now?
Our newly launched podcast, Lab Matters, hosts a new guest from the scientific and laboratory industries each week. From forensic scientists, geographic explorers, consultants and more – our guests are rich in knowledge.
You’ll learn something new every week on the Lab Matters podcast!
One Badge, Three Shows.
Lab Innovations is proudly co-located with Advanced Engineering and UK Metals.
Lab Innovations takes place alongside Advanced Engineering and UK Metals at the NEC Birmingham, bringing multiple areas of UK industry together under one roof. With Advanced Engineering in Halls 3 and 3a, and UK Metals in Hall 4, visitors can connect with a wider network of engineers, manufacturers, and materials specialists.
FAQs
Common questions
What is the Lab Innovations Conference and what does it cover?
The Lab Innovations Conference is a free and CPD accredited practical learning programme for laboratory professionals. Across five focused stages, it covers sustainability, robotics and automation, quality and compliance, biotech innovation, technical product advice and professional development, with sessions designed for application in everyday laboratory work.
Who should attend the Lab Innovations Conference?
The conference is relevant to scientists, technicians, laboratory managers, researchers, quality specialists, engineers, procurement teams and senior leaders. It serves professionals across life sciences, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, clinical testing, academia, food and drink, chemicals, environmental science, industrial R&D and public-sector laboratories.
Which laboratory challenges and topics will the conference address?
Sessions address changing laboratory priorities, including automation, AI, sustainability, quality, compliance, risk management, biotech innovation and workforce development. Visitors can also explore technical product advice and demonstrations, helping them assess solutions and approaches relevant to research, testing, operations and laboratory management.
Is the conference relevant to my laboratory role or sector?
The conference combines scientific, technical and operational content across five stages, making it relevant to roles from laboratory technicians and researchers to quality leaders and decision-makers. Its themes address shared challenges across research, healthcare, testing, academia, industry and regulated laboratory environments.
Is this free CPD lab conference in the UK worth attending?
This free CPD lab conference UK programme offers access to practical insight from laboratory experts without a separate conference fee. Sessions focus on real-world case studies, honest lessons learned and implementation advice, so visitors can identify approaches that are relevant to their own laboratory environment.
Where can I find laboratory conference speakers for 2026?
Speaker information is published in the Conference section of the Lab Innovations website as the programme develops. The laboratory conference speakers 2026 lineup includes scientists, researchers, laboratory managers and technology specialists sharing practical experience, case studies and implementation advice.
Where can I view the Lab Innovations Conference agenda for 2026?
The Lab Innovations Conference agenda 2026 is available through the Conference section of the Lab Innovations website. It provides programme updates, stage information and session details as they are announced, helping visitors plan content around their laboratory priorities before attending.
How do I register for the Lab Innovations Conference?
Register for a free Lab Innovations visitor ticket to access the conference programme, five stages and the wider event. Lab Innovations takes place on 4 and 5 November 2026 at NEC Birmingham, allowing visitors to combine conference learning with supplier meetings and technology discovery.
When and where does Lab Innovation take place?
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Venue details - NEC Birmingham, UKVenue details - NEC Birmingham, UK
4th & 5th November 2026
4th & 5th November 2026 -
Getting there - Train, car, bus, airport
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Parking - On-site, nearby, costs, pre-booking links
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Hotels nearby - Partner hotels
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Accessibility - Wheelchair access, assistance, dietary info