SAPCA Technical Conference 2025

The 2025 SAPCA Technical Conference, one of the sports facility construction industry’s most popular events of the year, will take place at the East Midland’s Conference Centre, near Nottingham, on Thursday 27 November.

This event will provide an essential programme of seminars and workshops – covering the most important technical topics that affect SAPCA members – plus fantastic networking during the day and evening dinner.

Situated within the Nottingham University campus (just a 10-minute drive from Junction 25 on the M1) the venue offers excellent conference, networking, meeting and dining areas – as well as easy access to overnight accommodation, at the adjacent Orchard Hotel, plus plenty of complimentary parking.

Please note that, due to the popularity of the event, our allocation of hotel rooms at the Orchard Hotel is now sold out for both nights. We have secured a small quantity of rooms at the nearby Jubilee Hotel which is a 15min drive. Any unsold rooms of this additional allocation will be handed back to the venue at 5.00pm 7 November. Delegates will be required to secure their own hotel accommodation once this deadline passes via 3rd party booking sites.

The day activities will be followed with an informal networking dinner in the evening.

Highlights this year will include:

England International footballer, Karen Bardsley, talking about how excellence in facilities breeds excellence on the pitch
Dr Iain James from the ECB highlighting their technical guidance on outdoor covered facilities and potential changes to their non-turf specification
Dr Richard Earl from TGMS will talk us through the recently released Sport England’s Natural Sportsturf Guidance
Alastair Cox from the FIH will be showing the work being done alongside FIFA on their multi-sport concept
The ever-popular session from Prof. Paul Fleming on the latest research in sports surfacing from Loughborough University
An update on the SAPCA Codes of Practice for Tennis and Padel

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Mapei for its continued support of this event, as headline sponsor.

Please contact Karen Maxwell (karen@sapca.org.uk) if you would like to sponsor the lunch or dinner at this event – or take an exhibition stand.

FAQ's

How do I get there?

Both the venue and hotel address is:

The East Midlands Conference Centre
Beeston Lane
Nottingham
NG7 2RJ

What's the dress code?

The dress code for the day’s meeting, and for those that have booked their place at the Networking Dinner that evening, is ‘smart casual’, which allows everyone to be as comfortable as possible.

What are the car parking arrangements?

Both East Midlands Conference and Orchard Hotel have plenty of free car parking spaces. We would remind all delegates not to leave any valuables in their vehicles.

What time does the registration desk open?

For delegates arriving by car pleased be advised that traffic is likely to be heavy at this time of day. Registration is from 8.30 am, and the first session will start at 9.30 am, to give you time to enjoy the refreshments.

On arrival, all attendees should register at the SAPCA reception desk, located just inside the main entrance to the Conference Centre, and collect their delegate badge.

When will I receive a delegate list and final programme?

The delegate list and final programme will be sent to all registered delegates 1 week before the event

Is food and drink provided?

On arrival and throughout the day, tea, coffee and other refreshments will be provided and a buffet lunch, will be served in the exhibition area.

Please also take time to visit the exhibitor stands during your networking breaks throughout the day.

What time can I check into the hotel?

For those of you staying at the Orchard Hotels, bedrooms will be available by 3.00 pm on the day of arrival. You are required to check out by 11.00 am on the day of departure, unless otherwise requested. Hotel guests may leave any bags in the hotel’s luggage room.

Your room rate at both hotels includes breakfast, which is available from 7.00 am until 10.00 am each morning.

I have special dietary requirements, who should I notify?

If you have any dietary requirements please let us know immediately, if you have not already done so please advise our Operations Manger Paul Johnson via email to: paul@sapca.org.uk

What time does the Networking Dinner commence?

If you are attending the Networking Dinner, please note that we will meet in the Bar at the Conference Center Hotel from 6.45 pm; we will sit down for Dinner at 7.30 pm.