RIA Innovation Conference 26-27 March 2024 ICC Wales

25 January 2024


The award-winning RIA Innovation Conference 2024 takes place at the ICC Wales on 26-27 March with the theme ‘Inspired by Innovation’.

The conference and exhibition bring together rail innovators, clients and stakeholders and share ideas and create new partnerships. It attracts over 300 railway professionals, innovators, media representatives and investors. The event’s strategic partners are the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN), Network Rail’s RD&I Portfolio and Transport for Wales.

The agenda features speeches from keynote speakers including Dr Joanna White, Roads Development Director at National Highways, Rob Cairns, Interim Managing Director Wales & Western, Network Rail and Dr Rachel McInnes, Co-Director for Joint Centre for Excellence in Environmental Intelligence at the Met Office, and many more. 

Over two days, the programme includes:
• Exhibition Space: this year will feature the biggest hall yet for innovators to showcase their products and deliver Spotlight presentations at their stands.
• TechTalks: short presentations from suppliers and clients – a great opportunity to understand how the UK railway industry is transforming the network.
• Pitch Sessions: provide innovators the opportunity to pitch to Train Operating Companies (TOCs), in the hope of securing contract opportunities.
• Partner Research, Development and Innovation Showcase
• Future Focus Zone: a space exclusive to universities, where groundbreaking innovations can be showcased, which are not exclusive to rail.
• Student Challenge and Open Day: we are partnering with local universities and schools to present them with an opportunity to challenge our thinking and come up with new ideas.
• Evening Networking and Dinner. 

This year’s itinerary is an excellent opportunity for railway stakeholders to build connections with innovative suppliers, as well as interact with our partners: Network Rail R&D, Transport for Wales, UKRRIN. In addition to our platinum sponsors: Arcadis, Transmission Dynamics and Telent. 
 

Notes to Editors
  1. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the voice of the UK rail supply community. We help to grow a sustainable, high-performing, railway supply industry, and to export UK rail expertise and products. RIA has 350+ companies in membership in a sector that contributes £43 billion in economic growth and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 710,000 people. It is also a vital industry for the UK’s economic recovery, supporting green investment and jobs in towns and communities across the UK; for every £1 spent in rail, £2.50 is generated in the wider economy. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). www.riagb.org.uk 
  2. For further information attending in a media capacity please contact Annabel Parker on [email protected]