Technical Meeting 2024

To be held in new surroundings, this year’s SAPCA Technical Meeting will include sessions on Sport England’s new sustainability strategy and the latest developments in synthetic turf standards

The SAPCA Technical Meeting, one of the sports facility construction industry’s most popular events of the year, has opened for bookings. Held on 13 November at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, the one-day event is open to anyone working in the sports and play sector. The annual Technical Meeting brings together the industry to discuss the latest standards and trends across the sports and play construction industry. It offers opportunities to learn about innovations within the sector and discuss the latest developments. In 2023, the event attracted more than 200 delegates, who benefited from an educational programme featuring updates from sports governing bodies, a look at a synthetic pitch testing initiative by the Football Foundation and the latest changes to SAPCA’s code of practice for the construction of padel courts.

Due to the continuing growth of the event, this year’s event has been moved to a new venue, offering a modern, spacious setting for the annual gathering.

The educational programme and seminar line up for the event will be finalised shortly, but will include:

n The positive social impact of sport and the development of new facilities on the nation.

n Post Euro 2024 and looking towards the 2026 World Cup – what are the challenges for hybrid and natural turf in tournament conditions.

n Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEF CR) – a European Commission initiative – how can it help the UK consumer and what will it mean for the industry?

n The latest university research in sports surfacing.

n Developments in EN 15330 – Surfaces for Sports Areas, revisions and new elements within the standard.

The Technical Meeting also offers an invaluable opportunity for networking with professionals from across the sports and play industry, as well as with those working for national governing bodies, sports councils and research institutes.

The evening will include a networking dinner, offering a great opportunity for informal networking over great food and drink. Hotel accommodation is available at the Orchard Hotel adjacent to the conference centre and can be booked via SAPCA.

The cost of attending the event is:

DAY EVENT n SAPCA members: £140 (plus VAT) n Non-SAPCA members: £280 (plus VAT) DINNER Standard price: £50 (plus VAT) HOTEL B&B: £110 (plus VAT)

For more information on the Technical Meeting and to book your space, visit: [https://sapca.org.uk/events/sapca-technical-meeting-2024/](https://sapca.org.uk/events/sapca-technical-meeting-2024)