SPA 110th Conference - Monday 3rd February 2025 - Staverton Park, Daventry

Event Overview

  *** REGISTRATION FOR CONFERENCE IS CLOSED.  PLEASE CONTACT SPA OFFICE WITH ANY REGISTRATION QUERIES ***

Theme of Conference

In celebration of the SPA’s 40th anniversary, the SPA Committee is crafting an exciting Conference agenda centered on “What Comes Next?”  This Conference will reflect on the last 40 years in the sheet plant industry, then shift focus forward to anticipate changes over the coming decades.  Highlights will include how the industry is preparing and educating the next generation of experts to lead into the future.

Sheet Plant Association Marks 40th Anniversary with New Venue for Flagship Conference

The SPA has chosen an exciting new venue for its most popular event of the year: Spring Conference.  SPA 110th Conference is taking place on Monday 3rd February 2025 at Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club, Daventry Rd, Daventry NN11 6JT.

Dr. Sabri Çimen, CEO, Shotton Mill, to Present Industry Keynote at SPA 110th Conference

The Sheet Plant Association (SPA) Committee is thrilled to announce that Dr. Sabri Çimen, CEO of Shotton Mill Limited, will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Conference.

Eren Holding is constructing one of the largest and most technologically advanced paper mills in Europe at Shotton Mill, in Deeside.  It is claimed that the £1bn development of a former paper mill could completely transform recycling levels in the UK.  The highly anticipated Shotton Mill project is set to open later in 2025. The presentation will cover the project’s vision, scope, and its expected impact on the import/export dynamics of container board and OCC material.

This session is an unmissable opportunity for those in the sheet plant sector to gain a comprehensive update on the evolving paper market landscape in the UK and Europe.  Delegates will also have the chance to engage directly with Dr. Sabri Çimen during a Q&A session.  Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of the paper industry, the impact of the Shotton Mill project, and to network with industry leaders.  Book your place at Conference today Using the "Register for this event" button below. 

Get Inspired! Bernard Marr to Deliver Inspirational Keynote at SPA 110th Conference

Bernard Marr, one of the world’s most influential voices at the intersection of business and technology, will be the keynote speaker for our 110th Conference.

Bernard is a renowned thought leader, international bestselling author of 20 books, and trusted advisor to global corporations and government organisations.  During his session, Bernard will focus on:

Sustainability and Resilience: Addressing cyber threats and enhancing manufacturing robustness.

Leveraging Technology: Exploring 5G networks, machine connectivity, dynamic manufacturing, and predictive maintenance.

Talent and Culture: Strategies for recruitment, retention, and fostering a thriving workplace culture.

Emerging Technology Trends: Insights into AI, immersive work environments, packaging design, and using AI as a creative partner.

We thank Abaca and Kiwiplan, a part of the Advantive Companies, for their sponsorship of our inspirational presenter.

Supplier Showcase returns - with a focus on New Supplier Members to the SPA

At this Conference, we are thrilled to bring back the Supplier Showcase, mainly featuring new supplier members to the SPA who are eager to introduce their value proposition to SPA Members.  We shall extend the afternoon coffee break to 45 minutes so that delegates have plenty of time to meet all those companies participating in the Supplier Showcase:

Conference provides ample networking opportunities - at H&S Forum, over lunch, during registration, at afternoon break, attending the sponsored bar, over dinner, after dinner in the bar and at breakfast the following day. 

Agenda:

(Timings are subject to change)

10am - 12 Noon - Health & Safety Forum - Register HERE

12:15pm - First Timers and New SPA Members Welcome - SPA Committee

12:30pm - Buffet Lunch

• 1:30pm - Conference Opens - Tim Gray, Chairman
• Inspirational Speaker - Bernard Marr, Social Media Influencer - Business and technology
• Keynote Speaker from our Industry - Dr. Sabri Çimen, CEO, Shotton Mill
• European Paper Update - Frauke Schmidt, EUWID
• UK Corrugated Industry Update - Neil Osment, Managing Director, NOA Ltd 
• Advantive Sponsor Spotlight - Robert Mabbutt
• MIND Charity - Rebecca Conlon
• Academies / 6th Forms - encouraging young people into our Industry - Mike Irving, M&K Trading

3:15pm - Coffee Break and SUPPLIER SHOWCASE

• 4:00pm - Discussion Panel - Putting the theme of this Conference into practice, we are turning the Discussion Panel format on its head and have invited a number of SPA members from GenZ to give mentoring tips to a more senior audience!
• Sun Automation Group Sponsor Spotlight - Gokul Gopakumar 
• UK Sheet Plant Survey 2024 - NOA Ltd
• WH Leary Sponsor Spotlight - Shaun Baker

SPA Initiatives Updates:

• SPA Sales Masterclasses - SBR Consulting
• SPA 5 Star Health & Safety Audit - Springboard Safety R&D 
• R&D Tax Credit Scheme - Kene Partners 
• Employment Law & HR - Menzies Law 

5:35pm - Conference Close

5:45pm - Sponsored Bar

7:30pm - Dinner

The agenda for SPA 110th Conference is now finalised.  We welcome and encourage SPA Members to suggest agenda itemS and presenterS that you'd like to see at a 2025 SPA Conference. You can add your suggestion when booking your place in the "Additional Information" section or email it to the SPA Chairman.

We are delighted to announce the following SPA Members as co-sponsors of SPA 110th Conference:

Smurfit Westrock Sheetfeeding is Ruby Sponsor for all SPA Conferences in 2025      

Delegate costs: 

Day Delegate - £95 

Includes Buffet Lunch, Full access to Conference, Afternoon Refreshments, FREE Wifi and FREE Parking. 

Day Delegate + Dinner - £140 

As Day Delegate + Drinks Reception and 3 Course Dinner. 

Full Delegate -  £260

As Day Delegate + Dinner and Overnight Single Rate Room plus Breakfast following day.

• Delegate invoices have been issued for all booked delegates.
• Delegate fees must be cleared in full prior to attendance.  
• Cancellation policies from venues mean that Delegate charges are non-refundable within 45 days of the event.  
• Dietary / Accessibility requirements MUST be added to detailed at time of booking.

HOUSEKEEPING:

• Conference will be held in the County Suite at Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club, Daventry.
• All first-time attendees and new SPA members are invited to attend an informal Welcome by the SPA Committee at 12:15 in the County Suite, followed by a buffet lunch.
• Conference commences at 1:30pm and is due to end by 5:45pm.
• A sponsored bar will be open following Conference.
• For overnight delegates, room keys will be available during the afternoon coffee break in the County Suite for those who sign in with the SPA team before 1pm.  Later arrivals can check in at the main hotel reception at the end of Conference.
• Delegates will need to register a credit card at main reception to enable drinks to be charged to their rooms.
• Dietary / Accessibility requirements - Must be added to Additional Information at time of booking

• This event will be filmed and photographed by the Sheet Plant Association for use on SPA website, in Social Media and SPA Marketing.

• Wi-Fi network name for delegates – Staverton_GUEST. No password

• Try Before You Buy places are available for this event.