SAPCA TECHNICAL CONFERENCE 2025

Sustainability, padel and research will be among the topics covered at this year’s SAPCA Technical Conference in Nottingham

The 2025 SAPCA Technical Conference, one of the sports facility construction industry’s most popular events of the year, will take place at Nottingham’s East Midland’s Conference Centre (EMCC) on Thursday 27 November. The one-day event is open to anyone working in the sports and play sector and is again expected to attract a bumper crowd. The annual event brings the sports and play construction sector together, offering a platform to discuss the latest standards, research and trends across the industry. It offers opportunities to learn about innovations within the sector and discuss the latest developments.

In 2024, the event attracted a record number of 220+ delegates, who benefited from an educational programme featuring a wide range of topics, from an inspiring keynote on future-ready mindset – delivered by a former Microsoft technology leader – to a detailed look at the latest standards in shock pads used in artificial sports pitches.

Due to the continuing growth of the event, the 2024 edition moved to the EMCC for the first time. The modern, spacious venue proved a success and very popular among delegates, so it will play host this year too.

Learning opportunities

This year’s educational programme offers will feature a number of key topics for the sports and play sector. Among the highlights will be a detailed look at the ongoing work to develop organic alternatives to rubber crumb infill used in 3G pitch systems and a look at the latest standards in padel court construction. There will also be a talk on how excellence in facilities breeds excellence on the pitch, outlining the importance of developing high-quality facilities for high performance sports and athletes.

Another hugely popular session, charting the latest in sports surfacing research, will also return and will again include a number of innovative research topics. Sustainability is among the threads that will feature heavily during the day, while SAPCA’s ongoing work on its Codes of Practice – the guides which provide the cornerstone for high-quality sports construction in the UK – will also be on the agenda.

Networking

The SAPCA Technical Conference not only provides a comprehensive programme of seminars and workshops. It is an invaluable platform 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 conference will be followed by a well-attended, informal dinner, offering a great opportunity for delegates to meet over great food and drink.

“Since its launch in 2010, the SAPCA Technical Meeting has grown to become a crucial date on the industry calendar, providing an unparalleled programme of seminars and workshops on the most important technical topics of the day,” says Colin Corline, SAPCA’s Technical Lead.

“Networking is also a big part of the event and it is always great to see colleagues from across the sports and play industry, representing national governing bodies of sport and other key sector organisations.”

The cost of attending the event are as follows:

DAY EVENT: SAPCA members – £150 (plus VAT) Non-SAPCA members – £300 (plus VAT) DINNER: Standard price – £60 (plus VAT) HOTEL: B&B - £115 (plus VAT)

For more information on the Technical Meeting and to book your space, visit: [https://sapca.org.uk/events/sapca-technical-confernce-2025/](https://sapca.org.uk/events/sapca-technical-confernce-2025/)