The Blend 2026 has officially sold out, with the UK and Ireland’s independent garage community set to meet in Birmingham for a day of business insight, industry debate and networking.
Taking place on Saturday, 10 October 2026, at The Eastside Rooms, the annual event has reached full capacity ahead of schedule, underlining the continued demand for practical business support and peer-to-peer insight.
“Selling out in advance is a clear endorsement of what this community stands for,” said Ray Dilsons, Event Director at The Blend and Managing Director of Garage Hive. “Garage owners come to The Blend for proven systems and open conversations with peers who live and breathe the realities of garage management. It’s about raising standards together on solid foundations, and that collective focus is what drives this industry forward.”
This year’s conference programme addresses some of the most pressing issues facing modern workshops, with sessions covering SERMI compliance, recruitment and technician retention, neurodiversity in the workshop, business growth and operational control.
The daytime programme will culminate in a headline keynote from Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, best-selling author and internationally recognised expert in behavioural science and consumer psychology. His session will explore customer perception, communication and the psychology of pricing, with a focus on helping independent workshops reduce customer repair anxiety while protecting margins in an increasingly competitive market.
Attendees will then transition into The Blend’s evening awards dinner, hosted by community favourite Nikki Cowan of Cartopia. The Blend Awards will shine a national spotlight on the sector’s top talent and progressive workshops, honouring finalists across three Garage of the Year tiers alongside the Staff Recognition Award.
First launched in 2019 as a small gathering for Garage Hive users, The Blend has grown into a national, not-for-profit event focused on helping independent workshops raise standards, improve profitability and navigate the challenges facing the sector.
With tickets now sold out, garage owners and workshop managers who missed out are encouraged to follow-along for live updates on social media. For further information about The Blend, including the full programme, visit www.theblend.events.
