Loughborough, UK, 11th Nov 2025, 10am – Cenex Expo, the UK’s leading innovation and networking event for low carbon and connected automated mobility, is set to relocate to Wales in 2026. With support from the Welsh Government, the event will take place on Tuesday, 22nd and Wednesday, 23rd September 2026 at the ICC Wales venue, located on the grounds of the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales.

For nearly two decades, Cenex Expo has served as a key gathering place for innovators from industry, government, and academia, accelerating the transition to zero-emission transport and developing connected automated mobility to realise the benefits of self-driving vehicles.  The move to Wales marks the first-ever “road trip” for Cenex Expo, expanding the event’s reach while continuing to unite the UK’s leading innovation community. 

After 16 successful years at Millbrook Proving Ground, Cenex expresses deep gratitude for the long-standing partnership and support from the UTAC Millbrook teams. This relocation is an exciting evolution for the event, offering a new setting that fosters growth and deeper engagement with regional innovation clusters. Cenex plans to use this “road trip” approach to bring a new experience for the Cenex Expo community. 

ICC Wales is a world-class events facility providing an inspiring environment for exhibitors and visitors to network and collaborate. The purpose-built venue offers 26,000 square meters of event space, integrated conference and exhibition halls, and excellent transport links, allowing Cenex Expo to deliver an exceptional experience for UK and international visitors.  The venue is conveniently located for visitors coming by road and rail whilst also having two nearby airports. 

The relocation also aligns with Cenex Expo’s mission to support and energise automotive innovation through engagement with regional clusters. Wales is home to approximately 150 automotive-related companies, employing around 18,000 people and generating £3 billion in turnover. In collaboration with the Welsh Automotive Forum, the Welsh Government continues to invest in low-carbon innovation, skills development, and advanced technologies such as semiconductors and cybersecurity, creating a fitting backdrop for the next chapter of Cenex Expo.

Robert Evans, CEO, Cenex said “We are very pleased to bring the Cenex Expo event to Wales in 2026 with the support of the Welsh Government and we are excited by the opportunity to deliver a world class event for our exhibitors and attendees thanks to the collaboration with the Welsh Government and ICC Wales venue. 

Cenex has successfully hosted the Cenex Expo event at Millbrook Proving Ground for 16 of the 18 years of running the event and we and our event attendees are hugely appreciative of the support provided by the Millbrook Events Team and the Millbrook and UTAC Millbrook senior management teams during this period.” 

The Cenex Expo event is fundamentally about convening power.  It brings together a UK-wide and international innovation community working on the decarbonisation of road transport and the transition to connected automated mobility. 

We have long recognised that this convening power could help bring stakeholders from industry, government and academia to a regional innovation cluster if we were to ‘road trip’ to locations across the UK.  

We are excited to make Wales our first ‘road trip’ venue and are looking forward to working with the Welsh Government and key stakeholders within the Wales innovation cluster.” 

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said: “We are delighted to give a warm Welsh welcome to the Cenex Expo event as it relocates to Wales for 2026.

“Wales hosts more than 100 automotive‐related companies, directly employing around 10,000 people. As a cornerstone of the manufacturing sector in Wales, we are supporting the automotive industry’s transition to low carbon and automation with the establishment of world leading facilities working on advances in semi-conductors and cyber security.

“Hosting the Cenex Expo in Wales will spotlight the strengths of our dynamic automotive and innovation sectors to UK and international audiences.”

Craig Bingham, Managing Director, ICC Wales said: “We are thrilled to be selected as the host venue for the Cene Expo in 2026. The Expo's status as the UK’s premier event for showcasing innovation in Net Zero transport aligns perfectly with our own commitment to sustainability as a venue accredited with the Green Dragon Level 4 environmental standard.”