Europe Robotics Forum (ERF)
We are excited to announce that Birmingham has been chosen to host the 18th edition of the Europe Robotics Forum (ERF) in March 2027. As the most influential meeting of the robotics community in Europe, gathering engineers, investors, entrepreneurs and end-users and policy makers in the field of robotics this is a significant endorsement of the region’s strength in this sector.
The event, which started in San Sebastian in 2010, has grown into a major annual event with many hundreds of attendees every year, covering all aspects and current themes related to the field of robotics, with ERF’s aim to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and to ensure industrial leadership of manufacturers, providers and end-users of robotics technology-based systems and services.
Bid process for Birmingham to Host ERF 2027 – An overview:
The Birmingham & West Midlands Convention Bureau sought to bid for the opportunity to host the European Robotics Forum (ERF) in 2024. The bid preparation process was a collaborative effort between the Manufacturing and Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, the University of Birmingham (UOB), and a selection of local stakeholders.
From June 2024 to January 2025, Birmingham & West Midlands Convention Bureau, alongside MTC and UOB, worked tirelessly and efficiently on their bid proposal to host the European Robotics Forum (ERF). Despite a tight timeframe, the team demonstrated exceptional collaboration, commitment, and focus, ensuring every detail was meticulously addressed. Their fast, effective, and strategic approach not only aligned with the stringent requirements of the tender but also positioned Birmingham as a leading contender for the prestigious event when competing against other 5 destinations. The success of this bid is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all involved in preparing a compelling proposal that captured the region’s capabilities and vision for the future, bringing invaluable regional knowledge, logistical expertise, and essential stakeholder engagement to the table.
Bid preparation and submission timeline:
- On 27 May 2024 the European Robotics Forum (ERF) announced a call for bids to host the 2027 event, prompting Birmingham and the West Midlands to explore the opportunity and initiating early discussions with Karol Janik from MTC to assess the feasibility of the bid, contingent on support from the University of Birmingham (UOB).
- Mid-June 2024 a core group with representatives from MTC (Mike Wilson and Karol Janik) and UOB (Prof David Butler and Prof Niels Lohse) was created, and a timeline review meeting was held in August to ensure alignment and set goals for submitting an expression of interest by 13th September.
- The official expression of interest to EuRobotics was submitted on time, with key contributors from MTC and UOB, followed by initial calls with the EuRobotics office to clarify expectations and bid requirements.
- On 27th November the first draft of the bid book was submitted, and a second call with EuRobotics was held in December to address further details.
- 15th January 2025, the final bid book was submitted, detailing logistics, infrastructure, and other key aspects and the Team delivered an online presentation to the EuRobotics Board of Directors showcasing Birmingham's capabilities on 24th January 2025.
- On February 2025, a final decision was announced by the EuRobotics Board to all bidding parties, confirming Birmingham as the host, with the public announcement made in March 2025, officially naming Birmingham as the destination for ERF 2027.
Karol Janik, Robotics & Automation Technology Manager at the Manufacturing and Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, emphasized the invaluable support provided by the Birmingham and West Midlands Convention Bureau in securing the ERF 2027 bid:
The success of our bid to host the European Robotics Forum 2027 would not have been possible without the exceptional support of the Birmingham and West Midlands Convention Bureau. Their deep knowledge of the region’s infrastructure, coupled with their expertise in logistics and event planning, provided us with a solid foundation for the proposal. The Convention Bureau played a critical role in coordinating venue quotes, hotel offerings, and social programs, which were vital components of our bid. Most importantly, their ability to secure letters of support from the Minster for Science, Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Combined Authority was invaluable and allowed rest of the team to focus on securing letters of support from Robotics industry specific organisations. The Convention Bureau’s quick and professional approach, including arranging presentations from local professional Conference Organisers (PCOs), ensured that we had the right partners in place. Seren Events, the PCO we selected, proved to be the perfect fit, and their involvement will be key to the successful delivery of ERF 2027. We truly believe that the Convention Bureau’s expertise and dedication were crucial to our success.
The Importance of Planning, collaboration and strategic execution
The successful bid for Birmingham to host the European Robotics Forum 2027 was the result of meticulous planning, collaboration, and strategic execution. By engaging key stakeholders early, ensuring a strong support network, and working with trusted local partners like Seren Events, the team was able to navigate the competitive bidding process and secure the conference for Birmingham. The bid’s success positions the region as a global leader in robotics and technology, with the European Robotics Forum serving as a key platform for innovation and industry growth in the years to come.