The trade industry is always moving forward and keeping up with the latest industry ideas, products and tech is a big part of how we keep our standards high. That is why the Alliance CFM team headed down to the NEC Birmingham this week to check out the InstallerSHOW 2026.
It was a brilliant experience from start to finish. The energy across the exhibition halls was fantastic and it was great to be surrounded by so many professionals and businesses who are passionate about the future of the trade.
Soaking Up the Atmosphere at the NEC
We did not go with one specific agenda or single project in mind; we simply wanted to get out there, explore the stands and see what is new across the plumbing, heating and energy sectors. The show is massive and walking the floor gave us a brilliant overview of where the industry is heading over the next few years.
From catching live product demonstrations to chatting with other tradespeople about their experiences on site, it was an incredibly worthwhile trip. There is something unique about seeing new equipment and systems up close rather than just reading about them in a brochure and the whole team came away feeling inspired by the sheer amount of innovation on display.
Beyond the products themselves, it was also just a fantastic opportunity for our team to step away from the tools and spend some quality time together outside of a busy job site. Chatting with fellow merchants, engineers and suppliers from different parts of the country reminded us of how interconnected our industry really is and we picked up plenty of practical tips and insights just by sharing stories together.
Catching Up with the Team at Clivet
While we were exploring the exhibition, it was also fantastic to spot the team from Clivet and drop by their stand. They are a manufacturer we work closely with on our heating and cooling installations, so seeing them there was a great bonus.
We always value the strong relationships we build with our suppliers and manufacturers, and being able to catch up with them in person outside of the usual busy work week is always a pleasure. They had a brilliant setup at the show and it was great to see them getting so much well-deserved attention from the crowds.
Looking Ahead to Next Year
We are heading straight back out to our ongoing projects this week with a fresh perspective on the trade. Events like the InstallerSHOW are a great reminder of why it is so important to keep stepping back to look at the bigger picture and see how other businesses are pushing the industry forward.
A massive thank you to everyone involved in putting the event together. It was a brilliant day out for the Alliance CFM team and we are already looking forward to seeing how the industry continues to evolve between now and next year.
