We’re inviting local authorities and supply chain organisations to take centre stage at Strictly Highways 2026, taking place from 6-8 October at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
This year, supply chain organisations can apply directly to speak at Strictly Highways, expanding opportunities to be part of the event programme.
Bringing together over 550 delegates from local highways authorities and the supply chain, the conference focuses on one critical question:
How do we work together to deliver road networks that are greener, safer, resilient, and future-ready in the face of increasing pressure?
As the UK’s leading event dedicated to the future of local roads, Strictly Highways offers a platform to learn from experience, collaborate and share practical insight. It also provides a valuable opportunity to showcase and recognise the great work happening on the ground, reflecting the power of collaboration and shared learning across the highways community.
Key Themes
We’re looking for submissions that cover one or more of the following topics:
Building Resilient Networks
Are you delivering great work that is helping create more resilient, safer road networks?
Could you share how you are responding to challenges such as climate, asset or network pressures and what others can learn from your approach.
Innovations Shaping the Sector
Do you have an innovation that is making a difference in enabling greener, safer, resilient or more future-ready road networks?
Can you share examples of new approaches, processes, technologies or materials that are delivering impact and the lessons learned from implementing them?
Enabling Change: Policy, Funding and Transparency
Are you helping to drive change through policy or funding? Are there any key insights from this year’s transparency reporting process? We’d love to hear how high level policy and insights can support the sector.
People, Skills and the Future Workforce
Are you developing the skills, culture or workforce needed for the future of highways and road infrastructure technology? We’d love to hear about how you are attracting, retaining and supporting people to deliver for the sector.
Be Part of the Speaker Line-Up
Speaker applications are now open, with supply chain organisations able to apply directly, as well as in partnership with local authority collaborators.
We’re particularly keen to hear from teams sharing practical examples, showing how projects, partnerships, and new approaches are making a tangible difference.
Whether your work focuses on innovation, collaboration, resilience, or developing the future workforce, this is your opportunity to share it with a highly engaged audience of peers and decision-makers.
Why Take Part?
Speaking at Strictly Highways is a chance to:
- Showcase your work to a national audience of highways professionals
- Strengthen your organisation’s profile across the sector
- Share insights that can support wider industry progress
- Build meaningful connections with current and future partners
For full details on themes, submission criteria, and how to apply, click here to view the Call for Speakers and submit your proposal.
Submission deadline: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
Event Highlights
- Main Conference (7–8 October): Two days of expert-led sessions, discussion, and a major industry exhibition
- Networking Evening (6 October): Connect with peers in a more informal setting
- DfT Special Recognition Awards (7 October): Celebrating outstanding achievement across the sector
We look forward to seeing the ideas, insights, and stories that will shape this year’s programme and to welcoming you on stage at Strictly Highways 2026.