Parkex 2026: IPS UK reflects on a standout event

Parkex has always been an important date in the parking and mobility calendar, and this year was no exception. For IPS UK, the 2026 event was an opportunity to do more than exhibit. It was a chance to connect with the industry and create a memorable stand experience, and bring together the ideas that matter most to us as a business: innovation, performance, people, and purpose.

Held back in May, Parkex brought together local authorities, parking operators, suppliers, partners, and industry leaders to explore what comes next for the sector. For the IPS team, it was a brilliant few days of conversations, collaboration, and plenty of energy on Stand P70.

Bringing energy to the stand

This year, we wanted to create an experience that felt different.

Alongside conversations about smarter parking solutions, customer experience, payment technology, and the future of mobility, visitors to the IPS stand were invited to take part in our racing simulator challenge.

The simulator quickly became a real talking point across the event. Whether visitors were seasoned sim racers or jumping in for the first time, it brought friendly competition, plenty of laughs, and a steady stream of people ready to test their lap time.

It also gave us a relaxed and engaging way to start conversations. For us, that is what Parkex is all about: creating space to meet people, understand their challenges, and talk about how parking technology can work better in real-world environments.

Performance with purpose

The racing simulator brought the energy, but it also reflected some of the themes we care about every day.

In parking, performance matters. Systems need to be reliable, responsive, and easy to use. Drivers need clear, simple experiences. Operators need technology that can perform under pressure and support the needs of busy locations.

The IPS Racing Challenge gave us a fun way to bring those ideas to life. It was quick, competitive, and accessible, but it also opened up conversations around speed, reliability, user experience, and the importance of technology that keeps journeys moving.

That balance of engagement and practical value shaped the whole stand experience.

Giving back through our charity prize draw

As well as the racing simulator, we were proud to continue our charity prize draw at Parkex 2026.

Rather than offering a giveaway that might be forgotten once the event was over, we wanted to create something with a more meaningful impact. Visitors were invited to enter the draw for the chance to have a £100 donation made to a charity of their choice.

Across the event, four charity donations were available, helping visitors support causes that mattered to them.

For IPS, this initiative is about more than bringing people to the stand. It reflects the values behind the business. We believe events should be an opportunity to connect with people in a way that feels genuine, purposeful, and community-minded.

The response was fantastic, and we are grateful to everyone who took the time to get involved. Every entry helped turn a conversation at Parkex into something with a wider positive impact.

More than just an exhibition

Parkex is always a valuable opportunity to showcase what we do, but this year reminded us that the best event experiences are built around people.

For the IPS team, the event gave us the chance to:

• Reconnect with existing customers and partners, strengthening relationships and continuing important conversations.
• Meet new faces across the sector, from local authorities and operators to fellow exhibitors and industry specialists.
• Showcase our approach to smarter parking, including solutions designed to make parking simpler, more efficient, and more user-friendly.
• Create a memorable stand experience, combining energy, interaction, and meaningful engagement.
• Give back through the charity prize draw, supporting good causes while bringing people together.

It was also a reminder of how quickly the industry continues to evolve. Conversations around digital expectations, accessibility, sustainability, customer experience, and operational efficiency were central throughout the event.

Looking ahead

Parkex 2026 was a brilliant event for the IPS team, and we are grateful to everyone who visited Stand P70, took part in the racing challenge, entered the charity prize draw, or spent time speaking with us.

The event reinforced why we do what we do. Parking is changing, and the need for smarter, more connected, more user-friendly solutions has never been clearer.

As we look ahead, we will continue to develop technology and partnerships that help local authorities, operators, and communities create better parking experiences.

If you met us at Parkex, thank you for being part of it. And if you did not get the chance to speak with the team, we would still love to continue the conversation.

Get in touch with IPS UK to explore how we can support your parking strategy.