The Blend 2026 Nears Sell-Out Ahead of Birmingham Event

The Blend 2026 is approaching capacity ahead of its return to Birmingham on 10 October, with organisers reporting only a limited number of tickets remaining. The independent garage conference will combine peer-led business sessions, an aftermarket supplier exhibition and The Blend Awards, with Rory Sutherland delivering the headline keynote.

The Blend will return to The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, bringing together independent garage owners and workshop managers from across the UK and Ireland.

This year's programme covers issues including SERMI compliance, technician recruitment, profitability, employment and people management, customer communication and day-to-day workshop operations.

Behavioural science and marketing specialist Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, will headline the event. His session will examine how consumer psychology can influence the way workshops communicate value to customers, particularly when discussing repair and maintenance work.

The focus will include reducing customer anxiety around vehicle repairs and strengthening perceived value, giving workshops another perspective on protecting margins in a price-sensitive market.

The programme will also include Sophie Lyden, depot manager at Westgate Tyres in Morecambe and known as The Tyre Lady. Lyden will share how her tyre and vehicle safety work has developed from public education into engagement with emergency services, road safety organisations, policymakers, manufacturers and garages, before looking at how independent workshops can become road safety champions in their own communities.

Tyre News Media recently spoke to Sophie about her growing road safety work and national recognition.

“The Blend gives workshop leaders the rare space to step out of the daily workshop pressures, learn practical strategies from peers who have solved these exact headaches, and return with a clear plan to boost profitability,” said Ray Dilsons, Event Director at The Blend.

Alongside the conference programme, delegates will have access to a trade exhibition featuring suppliers from across the automotive aftermarket. Exhibitors and sponsors include Castrol and The Race Group, LKQ Euro Car Parts, NAPA Auto Parts, GSF Car Parts and ALLDATA.

The event is open to independent workshops regardless of the garage management system they use.

The daytime conference will be followed by The Blend Awards and an evening dinner, recognising garages, individuals and businesses from across the independent workshop sector.

The Blend also supports automotive industry charity Ben. Previous editions have reached capacity before the event, and organisers say the remaining tickets for 2026 are expected to sell quickly.

The Blend 2026 takes place on Saturday, 10 October at The Eastside Rooms, Birmingham.

Tickets are available at https://www.theblend.events/tickets.

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Tags: The Blend 2026, Rory Sutherland, independent garages, garage conference, automotive aftermarket, workshop management, SERMI, garage profitability, technician recruitment, Birmingham automotive events

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