UK’s West Midlands Wins Bid to Host International Ceramics Congress in 2028

The West Midlands, UK, has won the bid to host a major global conference for professionals in the ceramics industry.

The 12th International Ceramics Congress will take place in July 2028 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, and is expected to bring together more than 600 of the world’s top researchers and manufacturers who specialise in ceramics. The impact of the four-day event is anticipated to be worth more than £1 million for the West Midlands’ economy.

The conference – which has recently taken place in Dresden, Germany; Foz do Iguacu, Brazil; and Montreal, Canada; and will be hosted by Sapporo, Japan in 2026 – will allow attendees to share ideas and visions for ceramics and glass materials. It will provide experts with the opportunity to present the latest research and technology progress in the field of ceramics.

The event was secured by the Birmingham and West Midlands Convention Bureau – part of the West Midlands Growth Company – and its Conference Ambassador, Professor Jon Binner, Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering in the School of Metallurgy and Materials at the University of Birmingham. The Bureau supported Professor Binner, and also worked with the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) to secure a suitable venue and accommodation, suggest social programme options and compose the bid document.

Steve Knight, Senior Business Tourism Manager at the West Midlands Growth Company, said:  “Securing the 12th International Ceramics Congress in Birmingham is a fantastic result and we look forward to hosting hundreds of global ceramics professionals to our young, friendly and accessible destination in four years’ time.

“This conference win is an example of the unique collaboration, which exists across the West Midlands’ business events industry. From the expertise of our Convention Bureau colleagues and Conference Ambassador Network to our venues and partners, such as The Eastside Rooms and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, this success is a testament to great teamwork, and will provide a significant boost to the region’s economy.”

Professor Jon Binner added:  “It is a great honour to have been invited to organise this conference, which is a tremendously thrilling opportunity to bring the world’s top researchers and manufacturers to the UK and the West Midlands in particular. I have been a university academic in the field of ceramic science and engineering since 1984 and I have attended – and been involved with organising – many conferences, but this will be the first time that I have been the lead organiser for a conference of this size and so I am very grateful to the Birmingham Conference Ambassador Network, IOM3, the European Ceramic Society and the venue, Eastside Rooms, for assisting me.

“The timing of the event will also tie in very nicely with the £18.27M Strength in Places funding to the Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group; this research and development programme will have just finished and so delegates can learn all about the exciting outcomes.”

Dr Emma Claxton CEng FIMMM, Chair of the IOM3 Ceramics Leadership Team, said: “The International Congress on Ceramics is a valuable forum for professionals and researchers to share the latest developments in ceramic and glass materials, including bioceramics, optical and magnetic ceramics.

“For members of the IOM3 Ceramics Group, this event offers further opportunities to expand their professional skills and qualifications, supporting a dynamic future for the industry. Ceramics are vital to our transition towards a low-carbon, resilient, and resource-efficient society, and connecting with global leaders at this congress will help us drive progress in these essential areas.”

The Congress will take place at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, the city’s newest conference centre based in the Knowledge Quarter. The venue’s Affinity Suite is the largest pillar-free space in the city, with the Aloft Birmingham Eastside hotel located next door.

Leanne Bladen, Director of Sales & Marketing at The Eastside Rooms, said:    "We are thrilled to welcome this major international conference to Birmingham, which we won on behalf of the venue and city through our close working partnership with the West Midlands Growth Company.

“The Eastside Rooms is perfectly suited for an event of this scale, offering a modern, flexible space that provides the ideal environment for delegates from around the world. Birmingham has a unique spirit of collaboration, with venues, partners, and the city working seamlessly together to create exceptional experiences for our guests.

“Our location in Birmingham’s 'Knowledge Quarter,' close to the city's leading universities, has been instrumental in securing such a prestigious association conference. This area is rich with innovation, research, and talent, making it a natural home for global knowledge-sharing events such as the International Ceramics Conference.”