The SAPCA Technical Meeting, one of the sports facility construction industry’s most popular events of the year, has a new venue for 2024.
The one-day event will take place on Wednesday 13th November at the recently refurbished East Midlands Conference Centre, which sits within the Nottingham University campus. This new venue offers a modern, spacious setting for our annual event, and includes excellent conference, networking, meeting and dining areas as well as easy access to overnight accommodation at the adjacent Orchard Hotel, and complementary parking.
This annual event provides an unparalleled programme of seminars and workshops on the most important technical topics of the day.
It also offers an invaluable opportunity for networking with colleagues from across the sports and play industry, as well as with our many guests from key organisations. As always, the event is open to everyone in the sports and play construction industry, whether SAPCA members or not.
The East Midlands Conference Centre is located just a 10-minute drive from Junction 25 on the M1, near the centre of Nottingham, which has convenient rail links to the rest of the country.
Technical Meeting Programme
The final content of the programme will be finalised shortly, however, we can confirm that the following will be part of the informative day that we will be delivering.
Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEF CR) – a European Commission initiative
Speaker: Alastair Cox (Technical Director, ESTC, chair: Richard Shaw (CEO, SAPCA)
The European Commission’s product environmental footprint (PEF) method is designed to help companies make substantiated claims about their products’ environmental impact and give standardised product comparisons. Following ESTC’s project working with the European Commission, the session will outline how PEF CR can help the UK consumer and what it will mean for SAPCA members. Alastair Cox will also update delegates about the ESTC’s new PEF CR software tool, which formalises the process of assessing the impact(s) of different elements of synthetic pitch construction – from turf carpets and infills to shockpads in line with EC guidelines.
Waste management across the carpet sector and SAPCA’s position on end-of-life treatment of synthetic turf
Speakers: Adnan Zeb-Khan (Project Manager) Recycling Carpet UK, Colin Corline (Technical Lead, SAPCA).
SAPCA’s Technical Lead, Colin Corline, is joined by Adnan Zeb-Khan to present and discuss the issues relating to the collection, storage and treatment of end-of-life indoor carpet and outdoor synthetic turf – and the potential challenges and solutions for the future.
Technical discussions and future work of SAPCA’s Tennis Division
Facilitators: Andy Burrell (CEO, Chiltern Sports), Colin Corline (Technical Lead, SAPCA), Mark Fisher (Head of Facilities, LTA), Richard Shaw (CEO, SAPCA)
The first of two sessions on tennis will focus on technical developments within tennis and adherence to SAPCA’s Code of Practice for the Construction and Maintenance of Tennis Courts – considering whether any updates are needed. The second session will look at the future work of the Tennis Division within the association.
The latest industry research
Professor Paul Fleming will lead a session exploring the latest industry research across the sports and play construction sector, with a combination of both university and industry research programmes.
CEN working group activities and key developments with EN 15330
Speakers: Alastair Cox (Technical Director, ESTC) and Martin Laidler (International Sales Manager, Trocellen)
The session will explore the ongoing developments within EN 15330 the European Standard for synthetic turf surfacing, which specifies the performance, durability, product identification for synthetic turf sports surfaces used primarily outdoors for a combination of sports, with new standards for the constituent parts, carpet, infill and shockpad.
Hybrid and natural turf developments for tournament football
A panel discussion featuring: Dean Tingley (Pro Pitch), Richard Earle (Managing Director, TGMS) and Alan Thomson (UK and USA Sales Manager, SIS Pitches) Chair: David James (Group CEO, Labosport)
Following from the 2024 Euros – and ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup – a panel led by SAPCA Technical Chair, Prof. David James, will consider the increased use of hybrid surfaces at all levels, from grassroots to elite competitions.
NB. The final programme is subject to change.
Networking opportunities
The event also includes a networking dinner in the evening, which will also be held in the Conference Centre. This is a very popular part of the event and offers a great opportunity for networking and excellent food and drink.
The cost of attending the event are as follows:
Day event:
SAPCA members – £140 (plus VAT)
Non-SAPCA members – £280 (plus VAT)
Dinner:
Standard price – £50 (plus VAT)
Hotel Accommodation:
The Orchard Hotel adjacent to the East Midlands Conference Centre, is a contemporary 4-star hotel featuring accessible rooftop terraces, green roofs and free Wi-Fi in all areas. Opened in 2012, The Orchard Hotel & Restaurant has a Brasserie-style restaurant and bar. All bedrooms come with bespoke furniture and unique decor throughout.
The cost for B&B is £110 (plus VAT) for a standard double or twin room.
Please note in order that SAPCA can help with the hotel bookings and make the check in process easier, please make the accommodation booking directly with SAPCA and NOT with the hotel.
To book your Technical Meeting delegate place(s) now, please click here.
Enquiries regarding exhibition opportunities should be sent to Karen@sapca.org.uk.