PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2026.

Strictly Highways is the UK’s leading event dedicated to the future of local roads.

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?

This conference brings the sector together to learn from experience, collaborate and share practical insight. It is a space to exchange ideas, from those already delivering impact to those still being developed, and to support better, more informed decision-making across the sector.

It is also an opportunity to showcase and recognise the great work happening on the ground, reflecting the power of collaboration and shared learning across the highways community.

Who Can Submit?

Applications are invited from local authorities and supply chain organisations. Supply chain organisations may apply directly.

What We’re Looking For

We are inviting speakers and case studies to deliver sessions that:

• Share honest lessons learned including challenges as well as successes
• Demonstrate effective collaboration between local authorities and suppliers
• Provide practical insight that others can apply in their own organisations
• Help build a stronger, more connected and informed sector

Key Themes

Submissions should align with one or more of the following:

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.

What Makes a Strong Submission

We are looking for sessions that are:

• Evidence-led with clear data and outcomes
• Practical – transferable and usable by others
• Honest – including challenges and what didn’t work
• Relevant – aligned to sector pressures

What We Are Not Looking For

To maintain the quality of the programme, we will not accept:

• Sales pitches
• Company-led presentations without evidence
• Generic or high-level content with (unless presenting an innovation with clear and demonstrable potential for real-world use.)

Speaking Opportunities

Successful submissions may be selected for:

• Main Stage Sessions (high-impact case study presentations and panel sessions)
• Inclusion as a case study or guidance in the Knowledge and Innovation Network

Key Dates

• Submission Deadline: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
• Review Period:  6 – 24 July 2026
• Speaker Notifications: 27 – 31 July 2026
• Strictly Highways Conference: 6 – 8 October 2026

How Submissions Will Be Reviewed

All submissions will be assessed by a review panel, including:

• LCRIG Advisory Board
• LCRIG’s Strictly Highways content team

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be scored against:

• Relevance to current sector challenges
• Evidence & measurable impact
• Practical application & transferability
• Originality & insight
• Clarity and quality of submission

Why Speak at Strictly Highways?

• Share your work with 550 professionals from across the sector
• Position yourself as a trusted leader in the sector
• Contribute to shared learning and progress across the local road network
• Build meaningful connections with future partners and clients

Please submit your Speaker & Case Study Proposal using the form below:

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2026.