Birmingham in the West Midlands, UK, has been confirmed by organizer ERTICO-ITS Europe as the host city for the ITS World Congress 2027.
The official selection for the 2027 event was marked by the signing of an event partnership at a parliamentary reception on September 4, 2024, by the deputy mayor of the West Midlands Councillor Sharon Thompson and Joost Vantomme, chief executive of ERTICO-ITS Europe.
The event will take place at the NEC Birmingham (National Exhibition Centre) following a successful combined bid by TfWM (Transport for West Midlands) which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), the Department for Transport (DfT), Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK), Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and the NEC.
The choice had been widely anticipated across the industry since the city was identified as the preferred candidate at last year’s ITS World Congress in Suzhou, China.
The news comes as the ITS industry prepares for this year’s World Congress, which will be held in Dubai (September 16-20, 2024). The ITS World Congress is an annual event held in rotation between three global regions – the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa. In 2025 the event will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, with the 2026 event in Gangneung, South Korea.
The West Midlands, through initiatives like the Future Transport Zone, is a national leader in the field and at the cutting-edge in key areas of research and development such as autonomous vehicle development, battery technology, the emerging very light rail system and smart ticketing.
“The West Midlands has a fantastic history of hosting big international events, from Crufts to the Commonwealth Games,” says Thomspon. “I’m excited to welcome the leaders in global intelligent transport systems when they visit for what’s sure to be an unforgettable conference in 2027. It will provide a great platform for the best in transport innovation the UK has to offer.
“I’m especially eager to show off our region’s cutting-edge transport developments that will soon make a real difference for everyone living and working here – from great value smart ticketing to the last mile delivery systems we’re working on.”
The ITS World Congress attracts thousands of international delegates and speakers, and includes seminars, exhibitions, technical visits, and outreach events. It provides a platform for the latest developments in transport technology and mobility solutions.
“This partnership demonstrates a testament to our joint commitment and leading role in shaping the future of mobility. The commitments I have seen so far are remarkable,” says Vantomme. “Through the combination of ERTICO’s innovative approach with Birmingham’s rich industrial history and forward-thinking mobility initiatives, the 2027 ITS World Congress will perfectly blend tradition with future vision, driving transformative advancements in mobility.”
Photographs: AdobeStock, TfWM, Tom Stone
