United Kingdom

The UK Section holds monthly evening meetings, where we get together to socialise and discuss topics impacting our industry. Take a look at the meetings listed below, sign up and come along! Priority is given to SMPTE members, but newcomers are very welcome. At every event, there will be an interesting technically-oriented presentation, plenty of time to network with industry peers, and ample refreshments courtesy of our sponsors and supporters.

Take a look at our previous meetings to see what we've been upto! 2025 meetings | 2024 meetings | 2023 meetings | 2022 meetings | 2021 meetings

Next meeting

SMPTE UK Young Innovators 2026

It's back again by popular demand! In early 2026 SMPTE UK will hold Young Innovators in London and in Salford.

Hosted at Sky’s Osterley campus in the South and at MediaCity in the North, we'll gather students, early career engineers, and media and motion picture engineering pros… all in one space.

Whether you’re an engineering manager on the hunt for sources of tech talent, or at the beginning of your career and looking to engage in technical community - this is the event for you… Express your interest in attending here, and we'll follow up with details for booking tickets, in the New Year.

What to Expect:

• Engaging Tech Talks & Fireside Chats: Hear from talented students and early-career engineers as they share their innovative ideas and projects.
• Networking Opportunities: Meet industry pros and peers, and make valuable connections that could shape your career.
• Attracting Talent: If you're an engineering manager looking to connect with emerging talent, this event will give you direct access to the next wave of tech innovators.

Attendance is free of charge. Ample refreshments will be provided courtesy of our hosts Sky UK. If you're a student, we can help with your travel costs to get to the meeting.

Upcoming meetings

We have a busy 2026 planned at SMPTE UK! Here's a preview of the events we're preparing over the coming months, subject to change. Tickets are normally advertised six weeks before each event, so please check back closer to each event to register.

SMPTE UK is run by an enthusiastic group of volunteers, all of whom have day-jobs as professionals in the Motion Picture and Television industries. SMPTE runs elections each year to appoint members to these and other leadership roles. If you'd like to help out with running SMPTE UK, or even run for election to one of these roles in a future year, come to our meetings and talk with our current Chair, John Ellerton.

We look forward to welcoming you at our next UK meeting.

We really want to hear your ideas and suggestions as we build up SMPTE UK. Feel free to get in touch if you have topics for talks you think people would be interested to hear; or a venue we could use for one of our evening meetings. We're always on the hunt for a new venue or facility to tour!

Add your name to our mailing list — click on 'Join our Friends List' at the top of this page, or contact us.

SMPTE is a members’ organisation - we gather together for community, to educate one another, and to set standards, and we'd really like you to play a part.

The benefits of SMPTE membership are vast. Whether you're a student, graduate or industry professional, there's a lot to gain. Click here to find out more! And as an extra benefit for UK tax-payers, your membership subscription can be offset against tax.