CategoryBuilding & Construction
Build It Live South West
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About this event
Build It Live South West 2026
Build It Live South West is a two-day, practical self build and home renovation exhibition held at Westpoint Arena, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom. The show takes place on 12–13 September 2026, with opening hours of 10:00am–4:30pm on Saturday and 10:00am–4:00pm on Sunday. It is positioned as a one-stop shop for people planning a property project, offering inspiration, advice, and information to help them successfully plan, design, manage, and execute home building and renovation work.
What the event is designed to do
Brought to visitors by the experts behind Build It magazine, Build It Live South West brings together exhibitors and subject-matter specialists to support a wide range of project needs. The exhibition is built around the questions self builders and renovators typically face—how to choose materials, how to approach design decisions, what to consider for planning applications, how to manage costs, and how to progress a project with confidence and clarity.
Who should attend
Build It Live South West is designed for anyone with a property project, including self builders, people undertaking renovations, and those exploring extensions or conversions. It also suits attendees who want to compare solutions from local and national suppliers, learn directly from industry experts, and take part in structured sessions such as seminars, workshops, and clinics.
Where it happens
The event is hosted at Westpoint Arena in Exeter, located at Clyst St Mary, Exeter, Devon, EX5 1DJ. Westpoint is described as being two miles off the M5, Junction 30, with easy access via the A303. The mainline station, Exeter St David’s, is approximately a 15-minute taxi trip away, and the Number 9 bus service runs from Exeter Central Bus Station to Westpoint. The event also provides unlimited free parking next to the exhibition hall and spaces allocated for disabled visitors.
What visitors can experience on-site
Build It Live South West includes a focused mix of exhibitor engagement, expert-led sessions, and hands-on learning opportunities. Visitors can:
- Ask industry experts anything through free, one-to-one appointment sessions running across the weekend. These sessions are designed for practical guidance, including topics such as planning applications, design options, and eco-focused advice.
- Meet local and national suppliers within the exhibition hall, allowing visitors to browse products and services, speak directly to exhibitors, and test and explore a wide range of traditional and innovative products.
- Attend daily seminars and free workshops, supported by the event’s editorial team and expert panel. Workshops are hosted by exhibitors and cover topics ranging from glazing options to funding self builds.
- Join troubleshooting clinics led by experts, where visitors can quiz specialists and get answers to project-specific questions. The South West clinics are listed as covering: Build Costs, Extensions, Basements, and Heating Advice.
- Explore dedicated sections and learning areas, including elements such as the Land Zone and other show features listed for Build It Live South West (for example: Free Workshops, Seminar Programme, Build It Live Clinics, Ask Our Experts, and additional themed areas shown on the event page).
Key themes and project outcomes
The core theme of Build It Live South West is enabling attendees to turn inspiration into reality—helping them make informed decisions about planning, design, product selection, delivery approach, and project control. By combining exhibitor access with structured expert guidance and interactive sessions, the show aims to help attendees progress their projects with greater clarity, confidence, and practicality.
Show summary
- Event: Build It Live South West
- Date: 12–13 September 2026
- Venue: Westpoint Arena
- City: Exeter
- Country: United Kingdom
- Exhibition model: Self build, renovation, home improvement, expert-led sessions, seminars, workshops, and clinics
Data sheet
Build It Live South West – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 12–13 September 2026 | Location: Westpoint Arena, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom | Event Status: Upcoming | Research Date: 6 July 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Build It Live South West 2026 |
| Event Date | 12–13 September 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Westpoint Arena |
| City | Exeter |
| State / Region | Devon |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Organizer | Build It magazine / Build It Live |
| Official Event Website | builditlive.co.uk/whats-on-build-it-live-shows-south-west |
| Event Type | Consumer-facing trade exhibition and advisory event for self-build, renovation, and home improvement |
| Primary Category | Building & Construction |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Home & Office; Energy & Sustainability-related suppliers; Industrial Engineering; Environment & Waste |
| Audience Reach | Primarily regional with national pull across the South West and broader UK self-build market |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | High for date, venue, and format; low for attendance volume due to no public organizer confirmation |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect self-builders, renovators, and property project owners with experts, suppliers, product demonstrations, seminars, workshops, and clinics |
About the Event
Build It Live South West is a practical self-build and home renovation exhibition held annually at Westpoint Arena in Exeter. The official event content positions it as a “one-stop shop” for people planning property projects, with a strong mix of exhibitors, expert advice, live talks, workshops, and clinics focused on how to design, manage, and complete residential building work successfully.
The event matters because it sits at the point where consumer demand meets specialist supply: attendees are actively researching materials, systems, services, and professional support for projects such as new builds, extensions, conversions, energy upgrades, and renovations. That makes it useful for suppliers, installers, architects, consultants, and home-building brands looking to influence purchase decisions early in the buying cycle and capture project-led demand.
The event matters because it sits at the point where consumer demand meets specialist supply: attendees are actively researching materials, systems, services, and professional support for projects such as new builds, extensions, conversions, energy upgrades, and renovations. That makes it useful for suppliers, installers, architects, consultants, and home-building brands looking to influence purchase decisions early in the buying cycle and capture project-led demand.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-build project owners | Individuals, couples, family-led project teams | Final decision-makers for materials, systems, and service providers | Very high; core audience actively researching and purchasing project solutions |
| Home renovators / extension planners | Homeowners, property improvers, refurbishment project owners | Budget owners and comparative buyers | High; strong interest in kitchens, glazing, heating, roofing, insulation, and trades |
| Architects / architectural designers | Residential design studios, self-build architects, planning specialists | Specification influence and referral authority | High; influence product and system selection across client projects |
| Main contractors / builders | Local builders, renovation contractors, project managers | Installer buyers, subcontract coordinators, and specifiers | High; trade buyers for materials, systems, and subcontract services |
| Specialist installers | Heat pump, glazing, roofing, insulation, solar, and M&E firms | Product evaluators and channel buyers | High; seeking systems, components, and partner brands |
| Planning and building control advisors | Planning consultants, structural engineers, compliance specialists | Technical advisory influence | Moderate to high; affect approvals, technical choices, and compliance pathways |
| Product and category suppliers | Builders merchants, manufacturers, distributors, showrooms | Commercial buyers and partnership evaluators | High; networking, distribution, and dealer development opportunities |
| Energy and sustainability buyers | Low-carbon consultants, retrofit specialists, eco-build advisors | Specification and upgrade decision support | High; strong interest in heat pumps, insulation, glazing, ventilation, and solar |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city | Exeter and surrounding districts | High | Immediate convenience audience for residential project buyers and local suppliers |
| Host county / region | Devon and the wider South West | Very high | Core regional self-build and renovation market |
| Nearby business hubs | Plymouth, Torbay, Taunton, Bristol corridor, Somerset, Cornwall | High | Likely source of trade professionals, developers, and residential project owners |
| National reach | UK-wide self-build and specialist supplier audience | Medium | Attracts brands and experts with national distribution or advisory relevance |
| International reach | Limited | Low | Primarily a UK domestic consumer and SME trade event |
| Trade corridors | M5 South West corridor, A303 corridor, regional building supply routes | Medium to high | Relevant for distributors, merchants, and service providers serving residential projects |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Regional | Primary classification | The show is anchored in Exeter and marketed as the South West edition of Build It Live, making the South West its main demand base. |
| National | Secondary reach | Build It’s brand and the specialist self-build focus can attract visitors and exhibitors from across the UK. |
| Global | Not primary | No strong evidence of international attendee concentration in the official content provided. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build It magazine | Publisher / event organizer | Event owner and content source; useful for sponsorship, partnerships, and advertising sales targeting | buildit.co.uk | Event Director, Commercial Director, Partnerships Manager, Advertising Sales Manager | Confirmed Government / Procurement Organization |
| Westpoint Exeter | Venue operator | Venue-side event operations and hospitality stakeholder | westpointexeter.co.uk | Venue Manager, Event Operations Manager, Sales Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Knauf Insulation | Building materials manufacturer | Highly relevant for insulation, energy efficiency, and retrofit buying decisions | knauf.co.uk | Specification Manager, Business Development Director, Technical Sales Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Wickes | Retail / home improvement | Relevant for homeowner project supplies, trade support, and category partnerships | wickes.co.uk | Category Manager, Merchandising Director, Trade Account Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| B&Q | Retail / home improvement | Large DIY and renovation buyer base aligned with event audience | diy.com | Buying Manager, Category Manager, Commercial Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Howdens | Trade kitchen and joinery supplier | Strong fit for renovators, builders, and kitchen project decision-makers | howdens.com | Trade Sales Director, Branch Manager, Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Baxi | Heating systems manufacturer | Relevant for heating, hot water, and energy upgrade buyers | baxi.co.uk | Sales Director, Product Manager, Technical Sales Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Vaillant | Heating and renewables supplier | Well aligned with heat pump and low-carbon home solutions interest | vaillant.co.uk | Renewables Sales Manager, Technical Director, Specification Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Velux | Roof window and daylighting manufacturer | Strong fit for loft conversions, renovations, and self-build design choices | velux.co.uk | Specification Manager, Product Manager, Business Development Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Stelrad | Radiator and heating products manufacturer | Useful for heating system specification and renovation projects | stelrad.com | Head of Sales, Technical Manager, Specification Sales Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Quooker | Kitchen innovation / premium fixtures | Relevant for kitchen buyers, premium home upgrades, and design-led projects | quooker.co.uk | Sales Director, Channel Manager, Partnership Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| NHBC | Home building and standards body | Influential on building standards, technical guidance, and industry education | nhbc.co.uk | Technical Director, Regional Manager, Standards Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Homebuilding & Renovating | Media / education brand | Adjacent audience and commercial partner for self-build lead generation | homebuilding.co.uk | Commercial Director, Partnerships Manager, Audience Development Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| FMB (Federation of Master Builders) | Trade association | Relevant membership and referral ecosystem for builders and contractors | fmb.org.uk | Membership Director, Regional Manager, Partnerships Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Managing Director / Founder | Executive | Owner / C-suite | Final decision-maker for supplier selection, budgets, and partnerships |
| 2 | Director of Procurement / Buying Manager | Procurement / Commercial | Director / Manager | Evaluates materials, trade services, and commercial suppliers |
| 3 | Architect / Architectural Designer | Design | Senior individual contributor / owner | Strong influence on product specification and project scope |
| 4 | Project Manager / Site Manager | Operations / Construction | Manager | Coordinates suppliers, timelines, and technical installation choices |
| 5 | Technical Sales Manager / Specification Manager | Sales / Technical | Manager / Senior manager | Identifies demand for products and supports specification into projects |
| 6 | Renewables / Energy Consultant | Sustainability / Energy | Consultant / Manager | Influences heating, insulation, ventilation, and low-carbon product choices |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction | Core industry for self-build, renovation, and trade suppliers | Builders, contractors, project managers, and product suppliers |
| 2 | Architecture & Planning | Strong influence on self-build and renovation specification | Architects, planners, and design consultants |
| 3 | Building Materials | Direct fit for product sourcing and supplier comparison | Manufacturers, merchants, and distributors |
| 4 | Home & Office | Relevant to kitchens, interiors, storage, and home improvement products | Retailers and home improvement brands |
| 5 | Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing | Supports lighting, controls, heating, and smart-home solutions | Manufacturers and distributors of electrical systems |
| 6 | Mechanical or Industrial Engineering | Relevant for technical systems, heating, ventilation, and structural solutions | Engineering-led product suppliers and consultants |
| 7 | Renewables & Environment | Strong overlap with low-carbon building, heat pumps, and sustainable materials | Eco-build solution providers and retrofit specialists |
| 8 | Retail | Relevant for DIY, home improvement, and consumer project supply chains | Retail buyers and category managers |
| 9 | Wholesale | Useful for merchants, distributors, and bulk purchasing channels | Trade distributors and resellers |
| 10 | Consumer Goods | Relevant for branded home products and specification-led consumer items | Home product brands and consumer-facing suppliers |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | No organizer-published figure located in the official content provided | Use cautious assumptions only for internal planning |
| Exhibitor count | “Hundreds of local and national suppliers” | Confirmed descriptive claim | Official event website | No exact count publicly stated in the provided official text |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | No buyer list or audited split published | This is primarily a consumer-led project event rather than a buyer-hosted procurement show |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Official content references experts, seminars, workshops, and clinics but no headcount | Potentially useful for expert-led lead capture |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | No sponsor inventory included in the provided official text | Check exhibitor directory or prospectus for commercial inventory |
| Historical attendance | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | No official prior-year attendance figure provided in the source text | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-build planning | Guidance on budgeting, phasing, and supplier selection | Expert consultations and educational seminars | Project planning, design, and cost-control services |
| Renovation and extensions | Materials, structural options, and contractor coordination | Product demos and one-to-one advice | Builders, structural systems, joinery, roofing, glazing |
| Heating and energy | Low-carbon heating and efficiency upgrades | Clinics and technical Q&A sessions | Heat pumps, boilers, controls, insulation, ventilation |
| Sustainable building products | Lower-carbon, durable, and compliant building options | Dedicated pavilion / sustainability-led conversations | Eco materials, energy-efficient systems, green specifications |
| Kitchen and interiors | Functional and aesthetic choices for final fit-out | Showroom-style product browsing | Kitchens, cabinetry, appliances, worktops, fixtures |
| Land and project acquisition | Finding plots and assessing feasibility | Land zone and feasibility discussions | Land sourcing, feasibility, planning, and advisory services |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | Attendees are actively planning, comparing, and purchasing project-related products and services. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | The audience includes project owners, architects, contractors, and technical influencers with purchasing authority. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Strong on category intent, but public attendee-list availability is limited based on current source visibility. |
| Apollo targeting potential | High | Clear fit for construction, architecture, building materials, renewables, retail, and home improvement segments. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Excellent regional targeting around Devon and the broader South West, with UK-wide supplier reach possible. |
| Best outreach approach | Educational + project-led | Lead with practical problem-solving, compliance, energy savings, project outcomes, and expertise. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Strong intent-driven event with valuable buyer and influencer conversations. |
| Best use case | B2B lead generation, exhibitor targeting, partnership selling, and specialist supplier outreach | Especially effective for construction, building products, energy efficiency, and home improvement vendors |
| Limitations / risks | No public attendee list or attendance figure confirmed | Buyer identification must rely on official event positioning and market-fit prospecting rather than verified attendee rosters |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Construction; Architecture & Planning; Building Materials; Home & Office; Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering; Renewables & Environment; Retail; Wholesale; Consumer Goods | Align prospecting with self-build, renovation, and product-supply decision-makers |
| Departments | Procurement; Purchasing; Operations; Construction; Design; Sales; Business Development; Partnerships; Product; Technical | Reach both buyers and commercial influencers |
| Seniority | Owner; Partner; C-level; VP; Director; Head; Manager; Senior Manager; Consultant | Capture both final decision-makers and technical specifiers |
| Job titles | Managing Director, Founder, Director of Procurement, Buying Manager, Architect, Architectural Designer, Project Manager, Site Manager, Technical Sales Manager, Specification Manager, Sustainability Manager, Renewables Manager | Prioritize roles most likely to attend, specify, or purchase |
| Geography | United Kingdom; South West England; Devon; Cornwall; Somerset; Bristol; Dorset; Wiltshire | Focus on likely regional attendance and supplier bases |
| Employee size | 1–10; 11–50; 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000 | Covers SME contractors, consultancies, distributors, and larger brands |
| Keywords | self build, renovation, extension, retrofit, heat pump, insulation, planning, architecture, builder, project, sustainability, home improvement, kitchen, glazing | Refine to project-led buying intent |
| Company type | Private; partnership; family-owned; mid-market supplier; local trade business; national brand | Useful for segmenting by commercial style and sales cycle |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (construction OR architecture OR building materials OR renewables OR home improvement OR retail) AND (director OR manager OR founder OR owner OR head OR consultant) AND (self build OR renovation OR extension OR retrofit OR heat pump OR insulation OR planning OR project)
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Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build It Live South West official event page | Official organizer source | Event dates, venue, city, show format, core features, and regional positioning | Very high |
| Build It Live official home page | Official organizer source | Brand framing, self-build and renovation positioning, and annual show structure | Very high |
| Official event content provided in prompt | Primary-source extract | Venue address, hours, event features, and audience description | Very high |
| Westpoint Arena official venue information | Venue reference source | Venue identity and Exeter location confirmation | High |
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Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Build It Live South West — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
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