The Great Exhibition – exhilarating spectacle of Lincolnshire’s finest

The inaugural Great Exhibition for Lincolnshire has drawn to a close with a resounding message: Our region is brimming with talent, creativity, industry and innovation.

It brought together a remarkable gathering of local champions, pioneering entrepreneurs, international dignitaries and visionary investors.

The brainchild of the Mayor of Lincolnshire, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, it was inspired by the legacy of the 1851 Great Exhibition, a modern revival and bold celebration of Lincolnshire’s identity, built around the themes of invest, trade and innovate.

Delivered by the Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority, the event marked a turning point in Lincolnshire’s journey. With new devolved powers from the UK government, the Authority is now driving forward a bold agenda focused on economic growth, infrastructure, and sustainability - while honouring Lincolnshire’s unique character and natural beauty.

Dame Andrea said: “This exhibition began as a pledge in my mayoral manifesto and has come to life as a celebration of our region’s ambition and enterprise.

“It has been our opportunity to shine a spotlight on ‘Brand Lincolnshire’- to share our story with the world and demonstrate the strength, creativity and resilience of our communities and industries.”

The exhibition drew high-level participation from across the UK and around the world, including delegations from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India, Kurdistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Israel and Taiwan. 

There was also cross-party political representation championing Lincolnshire including Conservative peer Baroness Sandip Verma, Head of Policy with Reform UK, Zia Yusef, and Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

More than 90 exhibitors from across Lincolnshire and beyond took part at the Epic Centre and Exo Centre sites at the Lincolnshire Showground with more than 1,100 delegates booked to attend throughout the day.

Among the businesses being highlighted was everything from energy to agri-tech, food and fishing to education, defence, ports, and logistics. There were turbines, model aircraft, robotic dogs, fashion show, classic cars and a motorbike celebrating Lincolnshire’s rich and diverse entrepreneurial history and futuristic innovation.

Among the impressive sideshows were visitors from Lincolnshire’s Steam Punk community and with the county’s rich RAF heritage there was an exhilarating flypast from a Typhoon jet aircraft, courtesy of 11 Squadron and the RAF Typhoon Display Team based at RAF Coningsby.

Andrew Dawes, Regional Director (Humber) at Associated British Ports and a corporate sponsor of the Exhibition, said: “ABP was proud to support the Lincolnshire Great Exhibition, a celebration of the region’s dynamic role in global trade, investment, and innovation. Events like this reinforce the importance of collaboration in unlocking new opportunities for growth and prosperity across our ports and the communities we serve. I commend the Mayor’s ambition to turn this into a cornerstone annual event for the region.”

British Steel’s Chief Commercial Officer Lisa Coulson said: “It was a superb opportunity to meet other businesses, share ideas and ambitions, and underline our commitment to building a clean, green, and sustainable future for our business and the wider economy.

“We also championed our ‘Save Steel, Buy British’ campaign as we call on UK industry to sign a pledge backing the nation’s steel sector. With the industry facing unprecedented challenges, the pledge seeks to galvanise support for UK-made steel and reinforce the long-term resilience of the sector, its workforce, and the infrastructure it sustains. And the key role we play in the local, regional, and national economies.

“Lincolnshire is a superb place to do business and we thank everyone for their support at the event, and in the future.”

Director with Globella Events UK, Hannah Tomlinson, said: “We were proud to partner with the GLCCA to support the first Great Lincolnshire Exhibition, including sponsoring and delivering the exciting Taste Zone.

“Our goal was to bring together and showcase the very best of Lincolnshire’s food, beverage, hospitality, tourism, and experiences from across the region. This partnership highlighted our shared passion for excellence and our commitment to creating events that inspire, connect, and celebrate our county.

“As a proud Lincolnshire business, being born and bred here, we are passionate advocates for the incredible local businesses and the unique experiences our county has to offer and we should be collectively shouting out for all to hear!”

Phil Hatherley, from Siemens Energy Gas Services, said: “Siemens Energy was deeply honoured to have been a part of the Great Exhibition of Lincolnshire. We’re proud to have contributed to this event through sponsorship, as well as by exhibiting the best of engineering and innovation, alongside other incredible organisations showcasing their cutting-edge technologies and creativity. 

“With over a century of engineering heritage in Lincoln, we remain committed to powering progress and shaping the future of energy. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Dame Andrea, and Lincolnshire County Council for bringing this wonderful event together.”