SPA 112th Conference - Monday 29th September - Craxton Wood, Chester

Event Overview

     *****  Booking for Conference is now CLOSED  *****

The Theme of SPA 112th Conference is “Changing Times.”  With Shotton Mill soon to enter the UK market as a new supplier of paper, our industry is already experiencing significant shifts.  At the same time, we face wider changes - from adapting to evolving customer demands, to ensuring the next generation of talent is engaged and ready to lead our industry.  At this Conference we encourage delegates to explore how to embrace these changes, seize new opportunities, and help secure a strong future for our sector.

Kevin Keegan, OBE, Former England International Football Player and Manager

will headline SPA 112th Conference

Kevin Keegan is one of the most recognisable faces in British football.  He has graced football pitches around the globe in a glittering career.  Kevin won European Footballer of the Year twice and has since forged a successful career in football management and punditry and as an awards host.

Kevin now shares his enthusiasm and experiences through his coaching and after dinner speaking.  He will be tailoring his presentation for the sheet plant member audience.  Kevin has fought his way to the top of his profession with peerless dedication and incredible motivation.  He is a great motivator and an excellent communicator, who is now in high demand as a speaker. 

We thank SPA Member, Domino Printing Sciences, for their sponsorship of Kevin Keegan at this SPA Conference.

Supplier Showcase returns to SPA 112th Conference

One of the highlights of this Conference is the opportunity for Sheet Plants to discover the latest innovations from our valued Supplier Members.  A carefully selected group of suppliers will be presenting their newest products and services through our popular SPA Supplier Showcase - where delegates can meet exhibitors face-to-face.  Dedicated time has been built into the agenda for a Supplier Showcase Walkaround, ensuring members gain maximum benefit from this unique ‘learning and networking’ opportunity.  Supplier Showcase companies confirmed to date: 

Bahmueller GmbH - TURBOBOX and POWERPACKER

Domino UK Ltd - water based Digital Corrugated Printing Press X630i 

Hybrid Software - Pre-Press software tools : Packz, Cloudflow, iC3D, Colorspace 

M&K Trading - T3CH / early machine fire detection and prevention

Packitoo - AI Agents are coming to HIPE software

Siegwerk UK - Water Based Flexographic printing ink and coatings 

SpaceVac International - SpaceVac REACH 

Sun Automation Group - LMC SPP1-618 Servo Mini Line 

TCY UK & Europe - TCY Flexo Converting Machinery 

W. H. Leary Ltd. - offering a range of solutions for corrugated sheet converting plants

Conference Agenda

Timings are Subject to Change:

Shotton Mill VIP Visit

Daniel Johnson, General Manager at Shotton Mill, extends an exclusive invitation to SPA Members for a VIP visit to Shotton Mill on Tuesday 30th September.

Full Delegate SPA Members attending 112th Conference are invited to request a place on a VIP tour.   Places on the Shotton Mill VIP Tours are limited and as Shotton Mill is still under construction, all site visitors will need to read and agree to site safety and confidentiality guidelines in advance (details have been emailed to all VIPs and must be signed online prior to Conference).  Dont Forget Your boots!:

Networking at Conference:

Over 70% of Delegates feedback that the MOST valuable aspect of SPA Conference is the Networking.  The SPA allows plenty of time and opportunity for delegates to Network.  The Craxton Wood venue is a beautiful hotel that provides excellent Networking facilities so delegates can arrange meetings and manage networking opportunities scheduled around Conference Agenda:

• From 11am meet up in the hotel.

• At the Supplier Showcase from 11:30am - 1:15pm

• In the SPA Conference private bar, from 12:30pm until Conference starts at 1:30pm. 

• Over Lunch - 12:30pm - 1:15pm - seating is unassigned to facilitate your own Networking.

• During refreshments at afternoon break (45 minutes).

• At the Sponsored bar post Conference - FULL DELEGATES

• At dinner, seating is again unassigned - Full Delegates choose who they sit with at dinner - FULL DELEGATES

• After dinner the private bar stays open after midnight enabling further Networking - FULL DELEGATES  

• Over breakfast on Tuesday 30th September - FULL DELEGATES

• At the VIP Shotton Mill Tour on Tuesday 30th September - FULL DELEGATES

There are valuable opportunities to Network, in a non-competitive environment, for all SPA Conference delegates.  Colleagues who have not attended Conference before can gain significant value from the Networking experience.

We strongly recommend that Sheet Plants encourage colleagues from across their business to attend Conference - from Health & Safety, Production, Design, HR, Sales & R&D departments.

Attendees can review the delegate list in advance of Conference and arrange relevant meetings through the Member email facility on the SPA website.  Please note with regard to Delegate List:  There will be no printed delegate list available at Conference. On average, printing the delegate list requires 400–500 pages, most of which are discarded by the end of the event. This is not aligned with the SPA’s sustainability goals.  The delegate list will be shared with all delegates via email a few days before Conference as a downloadable and printable attachment.  Additionally, the SPA brings several electronic tablets to Conference, all signed into the SPA website Conference event page, where the delegate list can be accessed electronically.

The Sheet Plant Association reminds all delegates that SPA Conferences and events are conducted in full compliance with UK and EU competition laws, and all participants are expected to comply at all times.

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

We thank Shotton Mill for sponsorship of SPA 112th Conference

Housekeeping:

• Conference will be held in the Craxton Suite at Craxton Wood Hotel, Chester.
• All first-time attendees and new SPA members are invited to attend an informal Welcome by the SPA Committee at 12:15 in the bar outside the Craxton Suite, followed by a buffet lunch at 12:30pm.
• Conference agenda commences at 1:30pm and is due to finish before 6:00pm.
• A sponsored bar will be open immediately following Conference.
• Check-in for Full Delegates will take place from afternoon coffee break.
• Delegates will need to register a credit card at main reception to enable drinks at dinner to be charged to their rooms.
• Dietary / Accessibility requirements - Must be added to Additional Information AT TIME OF BOOKING.  Otherwise, requirements cannot be guaranteed.

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

• Credit Notes / Refunds are no longer available for this event.