The first Autolink event took place in 2004, as a small collaboration event in Cardiff, with a conference and small exhibition showcasing 'automotive excellence'. From those humble beginnings, Autolink has grown into one of the most important dates in the UK automotive calendar. 2011 will be the sixth year that the event has taken place in the West Midlands, and we return to Birmingham City University.

We have worked very hard to make sure the event is providing what our delegates need, and as the automotive industry has changed over time, so has Autolink. While there is still a focus on collaboration, the 2007 and 2008 events saw many of the OEMs and Tier 1 companies attending with Purchasing as well as Technical and R&D teams. This has enabled these companies to meet with suppliers and discuss not only current sourcing requirements, but also future needs and take advantage of innovative ideas brought to the table by forward thinking suppliers.

Key to the success of Autolink Events has always been the idea of 'collaborative' meetings. We have always offered the opportunity to not only meet with 'buyers' but for companies to meet with anyone at the event, with many delegates choosing to meet companies horizontal to them in the supply chain, to discuss collaborations, find partners for new ideas and ventures and to identify new business opportunities. Business is no longer only 'handed down' from the OEMs and Tier 1s, and Autolink provides a vital chance to meet with like-minded companies to uncover where opportunities may lie for your company.

2008 saw a number of delegates from 'outside the industry' attend. With the ever increasing convergence between the motorsport and aerospace sectors, we saw opportunities present themselves for automotive companies in the aerospace field, and vice-versa. Autolink is as much about innovation and knowledge transfer as it is about buying & selling, we don't see business opportunities as being limited to selling to the buyers who are there, the event is focused on opportunities, not just selling components.

2009 saw a smaller event than previous years due to the prevailing conditions in the industry, but with attendees from Aston Martin, Ford, Tata, Tier 1, 2 & 3 suppliers and all the usual supects from throughout the supply chain, Autolink still took place and was a huge success for those who attended. 2010 saw a great event, where numbers started to rise again, and attendees went away with a host of new contacts and opportunities for new business. We attracted new OEMs to the event who had not been before, as well as a number of the 'regulars'

We are looking forward to the 2011 event and providing our attendees with even more opportunities than ever before. With Purchasing, Research and Technical, Engineering and Innovation representatives from some of the best known companies in the Automotive Industry, as well as a host of other organisations with opportunities they wish to discuss, 2011 is shaping up to be the biggest and best Autolink yet.

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