SPA 114th Conference - Carden Park - Monday 1st February 2027

Event Overview

Paper is at the heart of our industry – and the landscape around it continues to evolve.

Following on from the discussions at SPA 112th Conference, this event will take a closer look at the changing world of paper makers, recycling, speciality papers and the wider paper supply chain.

With new sources of supply emerging, continued pressure on recycled materials, changing customer expectations and growing demand for more sustainable and specialist paper solutions, there is plenty for our industry to consider.  We shall also explore the opportunities presented by plastic substitution and advances in paper coatings, and how these innovations are opening up new possibilities for fibre-based packaging.

We will bring together industry insight, real-world perspectives and opportunities to explore what these changes mean for sheet plants – and how we can adapt, collaborate and take advantage of what lies ahead.

Draft Agenda:

09:15 - 12:15 - SPA Emerging Leaders Module 7

10:00 - 11:30 - SPA 14th Health & Safety Forum - area of focus:  Machine Guarding PUWER

12:15 - First-Time Attendees, New SPA Members and TBYB delegates welcome by SPA Committee - Carden Suite bar area

12:30 - Buffet Lunch (non-allocated seating) - Redmond's Brasserie

13:30 - Conference Agenda commences promptly in the Carden Suite:

• European Paper Market Update - EUWID Pulp & Paper - Frauke Schmidt
• UK Corrugated Industry Update - NOA Ltd - Neil Osment
• Employment Law & Human Resources Update
• Shotton Mill Presentation
• Supplier Showcase
• SPA Board Grade Calculator Application and SPA SPOCS Dashboard Initiatives Update- KMSS - Eduardo Andrade
• AI Discovery Workshop Initiative - AI Expert - Nick Baxter
• Annual General Meeting - Sheet Plant Association - Tim Gray 
• Conference agenda is due to finish by 18:00.

18:15 - 19:30 - Sponsored drinks reception

19:30 - Dinner (non-allocated seating)

Shotton Mill VIP Tour - Tuesday 2nd February

We are delighted that SPA Members will be among the very first to enjoy an exclusive VIP tour of Shotton Mill once the new facility is in production.  Having previously visited Shotton Mill in October 2025, before the mill was commissioned, this will be a fantastic opportunity for SPA Members to return and see the transformation first-hand, with the mill fully operational.  A unique opportunity to witness this exciting development in the UK paper and packaging industry!

(Places on the tour are limited - a request to join this exclusive VIP visit must be added to Additional Information section at time of booking. All tour participants will be subject to approval by Shotton Mill.)

Supplier Showcase returns to SPA 114th Conference

One of the highlights of this Conference will be the opportunity for Sheet Plants to discover the latest innovations from our valued Supplier Members.  A small 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 is built into the agenda for a Supplier Showcase Walkaround, ensuring members gain maximum benefit from this unique ‘learning and networking’ opportunity.

Send at Least 1 Member of Your Team

We strongly recommend that Sheet Plant Managers and Owners encourage colleagues from across their business to attend Conference – the agenda will have something relevant for your colleagues in Health & Safety, Production, Design, HR, Sales & R&D departments.  If you are unable to attend the event yourself, you should send a member of your team in your place and have them report back to the business.

Networking at Conference

Delegate feedback suggests that the most valuable aspect of SPA Conference is Networking.  The SPA allows plenty of time and opportunity for delegates to Network.  The Carden Park 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 (30 minutes).

Additional for Full Delegates: 

• At the Sponsored bar post Conference, at dinner, seating is again unassigned so delegates choose who they sit with at dinner.  After dinner the private bar stays open after midnight enabling further Networking.  Over breakfast on Tuesday 2nd February, at the SPA Golf Event (details to follow) or on the Shotton Mill VIP visit.

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.

Try Before You Buy: Non-Member UK Sheet Plants!

Non-member UK Corrugated Sheet Plants are invited to experience the benefits of SPA membership through our "Try Before You Buy" scheme.  This initiative allows eligible companies to attend one SPA Conference prior to joining, offering insight into how SPA membership can enhance your organisation.  Availability is limited, so we encourage interested parties to request a spot promptly - please email the SPA Office for details.  

(Full event charges apply - Non-Member companies can attend 1 TBYB Conference event and will then be requested to join the Association as a full member in order to attend future events.  TBYB is not available to suppliers to the industry)

Delegate Costs:

• Day Delegate - £170 + VAT - includes Buffet Lunch, Full access to Conference, Afternoon Refreshments, FREE Wifi and FREE Parking.
• Day Delegate + Dinner - £240 + VAT - as above plus Sponsored Drinks Reception and Evening 3 Course Dinner with coffee and mints.
• Full Delegate - £350 + VAT - as above plus Overnight Single Rate Room and Breakfast following day.  
• Dietary / Accessibility requirements should be added to detail at time of booking.
• Delegate fees must be cleared in full prior to attendance.  

SPA 114th Conference – Carden Park Cancellation Terms

• 60–119 days before the event: 75% of the booking fee is non-refundable.
• 8–59 days before the event: 90% of the booking fee is non-refundable.
• 0–7 days before the event: 100% of the booking fee is non-refundable.

All cancellations are subject to an additional £20 per person administration charge, deducted from any refund regardless of when the cancellation is made.

Anti-Competiton Law

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.

Delegate Lists

Attendees can review the delegate list in advance of Conference and arrange relevant meetings through the SPA Member-only email facility on the SPA website.  The SPA does not print a delegate list to ensure we adhere to GDPR policies and to save 400+ sheets of paper.  The delegate list may be requested by delegates via email the week before Conference as a downloadable attachment.

Housekeeping

• 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 will not 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.