After a two-year gap, Euro Bus Expo 2024 returned to its rightful place in Halls 17 and 18 of the National Exhibition Centre, in the heart of the West Midlands. Running from 12–14 November 2024, this highly anticipated event brought together the bus and coach industry’s finest. I have been attending this show and its various incarnations for decades, and it has always been a must-visit. Not just because of the wide array of companies represented, spanning every sector of the industry, from the largest bus and coach manufacturers to niche, single-person suppliers. Even more importantly, the show offers exceptional networking opportunities: from bumping into old friends for a coffee and a catch-up to making valuable new connections. The bus and coach industry has always been, and always will be, about people.
This year’s event brought together three packed days of discovery, innovation, and industry collaboration. Whether you attended as a visitor or an exhibitor, there truly was something for everyone. The Expo showcased the very latest advancements in the industry, with 190 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge technology, services, and solutions. From state-of-the-art vehicles from across the globe to innovative software solutions (like uTrack), the exhibitors were ready to engage with visitors and demonstrate their products to mutual benefit.
The show also featured a packed seminar programme, offering valuable insights and expertise from leading industry figures. Each day was filled with sessions covering topics such as safety, artificial intelligence, and decarbonisation, as well as the latest trends and technologies. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn from top experts, ensuring attendees remained ahead of the curve. The speakers were a veritable who’s who of the bus and coach industry, sharing their experience, knowledge, and vision during a time of significant change and opportunity.
One of the standout highlights of the show was the Innovation Challenge. This exciting competition allowed attendees to vote for their favourite innovation. On the third day, shortlisted finalists demonstrated why their product or service deserved to win. With 11 innovative entries – from next-generation flooring for buses and coaches to predictive AI for vehicles and even an app for crowdfunding coach trips – there was truly something for everyone. The winners were as follows: the Operator’s Choice Award went to ShuttleID for their ‘School Bus Tickets on Brick Phones,’ and the Judges’ Choice Award was won by Intangles for their predictive AI for vehicles. The judges praised their 90-second pitch as succinct and impactful.
As always, the Expo delivered an abundance of knowledge, inspiration, and motivation. Both Eamonn Hughes, the CEO of uTrack, and I came away with a renewed sense of purpose and a wealth of valuable contacts. Networking remains one of the show’s greatest strengths – swapping business cards and meeting people old and new opens doors to countless opportunities.
A personal highlight was the routeone Awards, which recognised the best of the best in the industry. This glamorous black-tie event was bigger than ever, with 950 attendees celebrating outstanding achievements. If you are involved in the bus and coach industry in any capacity, make sure to attend next year’s Expo. It truly is a must-attend event, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Written by Yvonne Skalban – Customer Success Manager
