More than a marketplace 

There's something rather enjoyable about wandering around a conference exhibition without a particular destination in mind. 

You might be looking for a new piece of equipment for your clinic. You might want to see how a product works before investing in it. Or you might simply find yourself in a conversation that changes how you think about something. 

And there's always the possibility of bumping into someone you haven't seen for years. 

The exhibition is one of the defining parts of the annual conference experience. It brings together suppliers, manufacturers, innovators and the podiatrists who use their products and services every day. 

Among the exhibitors at Podiatry 2026 will be SOCKSHOP, which partners with the Royal College of Podiatry on its Super Striders public awareness campaign. Gait and Motion Technology Ltd, which supports the College's Biomechanics of Gait course, and Essity, which supports the Foot in Diabetes module, will also be there. 

But the exhibition isn't just somewhere to compare products, discover new suppliers or negotiate a price. It's a place to learn, too. 

This year, there are several ways to do that. Here's what they are and how they work. 

Learning Labs 

Learning Labs are 40-minute sessions delivered by companies exhibiting at conference. 

Unlike the Trade Theatre sessions, which take place on the exhibition floor, Learning Labs are held in conference rooms around the venue. They give delegates an opportunity to explore particular products, techniques or subjects in more detail. 

Among the companies taking part is Poderm, which will deliver a Learning Lab at 2.30pm on Thursday 26 November. 

If something catches your attention while exploring the exhibition, it's worth checking whether the company is also running a Learning Lab. 

Trade Theatre 

What's a Trade Theatre, I hear you ask? 

It's a purpose-built lecture area right in the middle of the exhibition floor. 

Throughout the conference, exhibitors use the space to deliver talks, demonstrations and educational sessions. You can hear directly from the people behind particular products and services, see how things work and ask questions. 

There's something useful about being able to move between a conversation on an exhibition stand and a demonstration just a short walk away. 

This year's Trade Theatre programme includes sessions from Firefly, Celtic SMR, The Hive and Urgo. 

It's worth looking through the programme before you arrive. You might find something relevant to your work that you hadn't expected to see. 

Innovation Zone 

Every established product or service started somewhere. Often with somebody noticing a problem and wondering whether there might be a better way of doing things. 

This year, we're working with Health Innovation East to introduce five emerging innovators in podiatry products and services. They are: 

• Path Feel 

• CLEARnotes 

• The Sound Doctor 

• GetUBetter 

• Cambridge Surgical Models 

The Innovation Zone will give delegates an opportunity to meet the people behind the ideas, find out what they're developing and ask how their work might translate into clinical practice. 

Some innovations may be familiar. Others may introduce approaches or technologies you've not encountered before. 

It's a chance to be curious. What problem is somebody trying to solve? How does their idea work? What evidence is there for it? And could it eventually make a difference to the way you practise? 

We'll be introducing the five innovators in more detail on The New Podiatrist in the coming weeks. 

Immersive workshops 

The exhibition also has a role to play beyond the main two days of conference. 

On Saturday 28 November, the ICC Birmingham will host a members-only day of practical workshops, giving College members an opportunity to develop their skills through hands-on learning. 

Several exhibitors will be staying on to support the sessions. 

Gait and Motion Technology Ltd will provide products for the Gait Analysis workshop, while Essity will support the Casting session. 

Algeos will also be involved in Early steps, lifelong impact: Neurodiversity and mental health in children's care. 

It's another way in which the relationship between exhibitors and delegates extends beyond the exhibition stand. The equipment, materials and expertise that companies bring to conference can also contribute to practical learning. 

Make time to explore 

If you're coming to Podiatry 2026, it's worth giving the exhibition some thought before you arrive. 

Look through the Learning Lab and Trade Theatre programmes. See which companies are exhibiting. If there's a product or service you've been considering for your practice, this could be a chance to find out more about it in person. 

But don't plan every minute. 

The joy of experiencing the exhibition at conference is often the unexpected conversations.