SME XPO
Scaling Ambition at SME XPO 2025
ABOUT THE PROJECT
SME XPO: How Visible PR helped take SME XPO 2025 to new heights
From strategic planning to on-the-ground execution, Visible PR partnered with SME XPO to drive real impact - giving sponsors, speakers, and exhibitors the tools to shine in front of their most important audiences.
In its fourth year and now under independent ownership of Inflection Point Events, SME XPO 2025 aimed to level up - attracting more attendees, more exhibitors, and more visibility than ever before. Visible PR was appointed as a full-service partner to deliver impact across PR, marketing, content and live event execution.
Our work began with creating an integrated communications strategy and channel plan that spanned media partnerships, media relations, content creation and on-site activation. A key element of this was collaborating with the SME XPO team to shape a compelling and media worthy narrative to drive buzz before, during and after the show - supporting the UK’s scale-up community through economic, political and social instability.
Our strategy also aimed to raise awareness of Inflection Point Media and the show’s independence, ahead of its repositioning and expansion in 2026.
We crafted compelling news releases and thought leadership to secure coverage in business and trade media, creating a drumbeat of visibility for the event. We also:
Worked closely with exhibitors and sponsors to create media opportunities for them as well as the show organisers
Liaised with all media partners and ensured they received tailored content aligned to their audience needs
Delivered story packages and interview opportunities to maximise SME XPO’s exposure
Produced written and visual content for SME XPO's owned and partner channels, including blogs, speaker interviews and post-event recaps
Announced the show’s new brand and expanded year-long programme for 2026
Visible PR contributed to SME XPO's social media channels delivering:
A content plan spanning pre-event build-up, live event coverage and post-show follow-ups
On-site content capture and rapid turnaround highlights
Speaker and exhibitor amplification across LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and Instagram
With over 80 keynote speakers and panelists, including Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis and The Scale-Up Institute’s Irene Graham, Visible PR worked alongside the event team to:
Support speaker onboarding and promotion
Identify and introduce additional speakers for panels
Secure interview and thought leadership opportunities for keynote speakers
Coordinate all media opportunities with speakers at the event
The results were outstanding:
4,000+ attendees
125 exhibiting businesses — a 20% increase YoY
80+ speakers and panelists, including 2 x Visible PR clients
Preparation of content for 10+ media partners
360° campaign spanning PR, social, content and event delivery
Quality coverage in outlets
More than 10 pieces of earned press coverage in national, SME and tech industry press reaching an audience of over 900k
4 x press attendance at the show including City AM and SmallBusiness.co.uk
“Visible PR was instrumental in the success of SME XPO 2025. They brought fresh energy, strategic thinking and a hands-on approach that helped us break records across the board. A true partner in every sense.”
— Sam North, Founder, SME XPO
