Strictly Highways 2024 brought the highways community together once again for a record-breaking event in Blackpool. Organised by LCRIG, this year’s event focused on key industry themes such as leadership, legal trends, AI integration, decarbonisation, and building a future skills pipeline. Paula Claytonsmith, CEO of LCRIG, has summarised the key takeaways from the event, highlighting the importance of collaboration, the role of Warm Mix Asphalt in decarbonisation, and the need to inspire young people to shape the future of the sector.
Feedback from councils and partners highlighted the event’s value, with many praising the networking opportunities and the diverse range of presentations. From legal updates to technical innovations, Strictly Highways provided an invaluable platform for sharing knowledge, solving problems, and planning for the future.
The feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting the events success. Here are just some of the comments we have received:
Local Authorities
- “A massive thank you for Strictly Highways, I found some of the presentations incredibly valuable, and it was great to catch up with colleagues and suppliers. Well done on such a professionally run event!!” (Luton Borough Council)
- “A big thank you to you and your team for an amazing event!!! You were all absolutely incredible!!! It was definitely the best so far!!!” (Knowsley Council)
- “Great to spend time with colleagues and suppliers with important topics covered during the conference.” (Dorset Council)
- “It was really enjoyable, as well as informative and thought-provoking. I’ve made loads of connections and it is going to take me months to unpack and action everything I’ve picked up. The best work-related event I’ve ever attended by far!” (Salford City Council)
- “A super few days! Met some great people and saw some brilliant inspiring speakers.” (Calderdale Council)
- “Every single conversation over the past three days wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for this event. I think most LAs will be returning to their teams and departments with plenty of follow up conversations, ideas and inspiration from the collaboration we’ve had this week with the tools to either improve, problem solve or continue those conversations and make an impact in their own organisations.” (Central Bedfordshire Council)
- “A great couple of days attending my first Strictly Highways event. Well done to LCRIG for putting on a fantastic event and looking after us all.” (Hull City Council)
- “Really good to take strong representation from SMBC and learn from other colleagues about the great work going on across the sector. Well done and many thanks. The event was really good and useful.” (Stockport Council)
- “Thanks to the team at LCRIG for making us feel welcome.” (Leicestershire County Council)
- “GREAT conference this year btw. I really got a lot out of it. Thank you so much once again.” (Calderdale Council)
- “It was a fantastic event and a great opportunity to share lessons learned for all those across the sector.” (Lancashire County Council)
Supply Chain and Partners:
- “Highlights included insightful and engaging conversations with existing customers, potential customers, partners, and even competitors!” (Vaisala)
- “A huge thanks to the LCRIG team for another brilliant Strictly Highways – loved the diversity of the agenda and all the great networking opportunities.” (National Highways)
- “Well done and thanks to everyone at LCRIG for another amazing Strictly Highways event (possibly the best yet?) and for creating this truly collaborative highways community.” (Multevo)
- “What an enjoyable two days at Strictly Highways.” (A E Yates Ltd)
- “A huge thank you to LCRIG for organising such an engaging event hearing about all that is new in the sector. Events like these are a great way of building your network and deepening your understanding of the sector you work in.” (DfT)
- “Very insightful and thought-provoking event shaping the future of Highways and where technology can play a pivotal role in the coming years. Also great to understand the wider supplier market and partner collaboration opportunities.” (Route Reports)
- “What a busy but great time at Strictly Highways event. Good content, beautiful venue, excellent networking.” (Sweco)
- “It was great connecting with so many incredible people in the industry.” (Meon)
- “If you haven’t attended Strictly Highways before, make sure you get to a future event. Great presentations, discussions, opportunities to network and the warmest of hospitality.” (RSTA)
- “Huge thanks and hats off – what a great conference so many interesting speakers – learnt a lot about how much you all care about our highways!” (Primary Engineer)
- “It was great to connect with so many industry leaders and innovators, sharing insights on the future of highways and road management.” (Causeway Technologies)
- “What an amazing few days catching up with old faces and meeting so many new ones! So much to celebrate within the industry. Thank you for putting on such a great event, as always!” (Brightly)
- “For the beginning of a run of conferences for us you have set the bar high. It was a great atmosphere and an interesting few days in a positive and friendly environment.” (SocietyWorks)
- “This has been the perfect forum to explore industry challenges, find solutions and share knowledge via a jam-packed agenda.” (John Sisk)
- “Great, successful event again. Many thanks to all at LCRIG and everyone who visited our stand.” (Roadtechs Group)
- “What an event we have had! This event in particular is a fantastic opportunity for us to mingle with our current clients as well as build relationships with potential future ones. A huge thank you to the team at LCRIG for another fabulous event which only comes together as a result of the hard work and effort that goes on behind the scenes.” (Kiely Group)
- “A fantastic couple of days at this year’s Strictly Highways. Always inspiring to hear about the great work and innovation going on across the industry. Thanks to the team at LCRIG for another great event.” (Amey)
- “A very successful couple of days at Strictly Highways.” (Smartmicro)
- “Really inspiring and honest speakers and discussion panels. We are an industry that can inspire and take great pride in our achievements.” (Re-flow)
- “LCRIG have done a great job bringing together the highways and streetworks community at Strictly Highways.” (Visibly)
- “Massive thank you to Susanne Ingham and her amazing team at LCRIG for such a fantastic 2 days. If this event gets any more popular half of us will be sitting upstairs at next year’s dinner!” (Roadmender Asphalt)
- “Thank you, it’s been a great event! Strictly Highways is a great opportunity for our team to learn about new innovations and technology in the highways sector, share knowledge and keep up-to-date with important updates and insights from DfT.” (Highway Care)
- “Wow! The last three days at Strictly Highways have been amazing!” (QMS)
- “Delighted to see so many public and private sector attendees pop by the stand.” (Jean Lefebvre)
- “We’ve participated every year and always find it to be a valuable and engaging experience.” (Miles Macadam)
- “We’ve had a fantastic time attending and exhibiting at this year’s Strictly Highways. It’s been great to meet up with the industry, hear about and celebrate the exciting developments, and share a few recent innovations with local authorities and attendees.” (WJ)
- “Some very interesting presentations and great to catch up with exhibitors, customers and local authorities alike. Based on the turnout and calibre of the event, IKO PLC should be showcasing here in 2025.” (IKO)
Strictly Highways 2024 provided an invaluable platform for discussing innovations, networking, and tackling the challenges ahead in the highways sector. A huge thank you to all sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, local authorities, and industry partners who contributed to making this event a success.
Register Your Interest for Next Year
The enthusiasm and engagement of attendees highlights the importance of events like this in driving progress within our industry. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event. Strictly Highways 2024 sold out in record time so register your interest for 2025 today and make sure you don’t miss out!.