Bett UK returns this year from the 29-31 March 2023, at ExCel Centre London. To help you prepare, take a look at our overview and some handy tips for attending this world class edtech event. 

Renowned for presenting the latest, most innovative products, services and insight to the global education community, Bett creates a space to embrace ideas that will inspire the future of education and, through technology and solutions, will make huge advancement possible.  

Where is the best place to learn about edtech trends at the show? 

The theme of Bett 2023 is: Reconnect, Reimagine, Renew, a nod to the education sector’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. With this also potentially being the last Bett under a Conservative government, as rumours of a general election continue to swirl, no doubt savvy attendees will be looking closely at the shadow cabinet’s potential edtech narrative.  

Bett’s further six global themes sit underneath the overarching idea of ‘create the future’ and will structure Bett’s content offerings, ensuring that education stakeholders can address their most pressing challenges and priorities.  

The wide range of presentations and panel sessions are a fantastic opportunity for visitors and exhibitors alike to hear about and discuss this year’s themes and trends. Many sessions are interactive and encourage audience participation. Speakers also urging visitors to get in touch after the event to discuss topics and ideas further.  

The larger exhibitor stands like Google and Microsoft are also great places to see and learn about new and emerging edtech trends, as most teachers and education professionals will want to try and test kit that catches their eye. It’s a great way to get an in-depth look at interesting technology and explore ideas and opinions on the successes and challenges we’re facing in the education sector. 

It’s also useful visiting the start-ups and innovators in areas like Bett Futures to see what they have on offer, and to be inspired by the new and emerging edtech providers.  

What should you be asking other visitors while you’re there? 

Educators, technology providers, government officials and entrepreneurs come together at Bett, so it is a great opportunity to find out what’s happening at every level of the edtech sector.  

Connect @ Bett – a new for 2023 tech-enabled meetings programme, aims to drive more meaningful conversations than ever before in the show’s 37-year history. 

It’s been created to empower education institutions and governments to discover the right solutions for their learners, in a fraction of the time, and allows technology providers to find the people within institutions that can unlock the potential of their tech.  

But what should you be asking the people you meet while you’re at Bett? Here are some suggestions to help get those key conversations started, and to keep them flowing; 

• From your POV, what are the latest trends in edtech?  
• How are educators using tech to support and/or enhance teaching and learning? 
• What are the biggest challenges for you right now when it comes to tech? 
• What do you hope to get out of the event? Is there anything you’re keen to see/ looking for? 
• How can edtech providers best support your current and future goals? 
• How can edtech providers better work with education providers to create productive partnerships? 

From this, you should gain a greater understanding of education provider needs, and how you, and your services, can help.  

What should you do when you get back from Bett? 

Networking opportunities at Bett continue long after the show has closed; at the end of each day the hotels and bars surrounding the ExCeL will no doubt be buzzing with the sound of people getting to know each other. 

The education media are always quick to provide reviews and round-ups of this year’s show, recapping themes, key speaker sessions and the most interesting takeaways. We’d recommend taking a look at Teach Primary, FE News and AV Magazine, should you need any more post-event information.  

Whether you’re a seasoned user of LinkedIn or a social media newbie, we’d also recommend creating some kind of content from the show, highlighting the most impressive things you’ve seen, or the best connections you’ve made. Showing what you’ve learned, whether exhibitor or delegate, is a great way to contextualise Bett’s importance in edtech.  

Following up on key connections made to continue those all-important conversations in a timely manner is crucial. Education providers will quickly resume their busy day-to-day schedules once Bett closes for another year.  

Around 30,00 visitors are expected to attend this year’s event, and more than 600 edtech providers will be exhibiting. Bett presents an important opportunity for the education and technology community to come together to learn, trade and network and to look positively to the future of teaching and learning.  

Enjoy the show!  

Mantis PR’s roots are in edtech public relations, with around 50% of our clients working in HE, FE and the Local Authority education space. Get in touch with our team to discuss how we can increase your share of voice and ensure your teaching and learning stories are heard by the right people and most importantly, helping our next generation of learners.