Bigger and better – UKSFA Conference & Awards 2026 a huge success
“Speakers and discussions were outstanding”
“Great energy in the room”
“We must start preparing (for change) now…”
Our Conference & Awards this year was a huge success, bringing together professionals from across the flooring supply chain for two days of discussion, practical insights, and industry collaboration, with this year’s event enjoying and engagement and practical debate.
With expert speakers from across the world, including the USA, Europe as well as the UK, delegates explored the key issues shaping the future of sustainable flooring, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Digital Product Passports (DPP’s), takeback schemes, circularity, sustainability communications and the commercial realities facing businesses today.
Cathie Clarke, CEO of UKSFA, said: “This year’s conference had a real energy in the room. The discussions have moved the agenda forward and given us valuable direction as we build UKSFA’s future work programme. Sustainability remains as important as ever, and events like this demonstrate the value of bringing the industry together to tackle shared challenges.”
One of the strongest messages throughout the day was the importance of collaboration.
Charlie Martin, CEO of the Anti-Greenwash Charter, praised the event’s practical approach: “What I particularly liked was that it was really grounded. There’s a genuine intent in the room, but also a strong commercial focus on how we make sustainability work in practice…let’s keep the discussion going!”
Headline speaker Dr Robert Peoples, Executive Director of Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE), highlighted the value of learning from different perspectives across international markets. He said: “Every journey starts with the first step. Get started, learn from your mistakes and continue to partner and build together. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough.”
For many delegates, the conference reinforced the urgency of preparing for future legislation.
Inga Morris-Blincoo, Buying Transformation Programme Director at Headlam plc, commented: “The quality of the speakers and discussions was outstanding. My biggest takeaway was we need to start preparing now. EPR is coming, and the sooner we organise ourselves as an industry, the better placed we’ll be to manage the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
A huge thank you to all our speakers, panellists, sponsors and delegates for making this year’s event such a success.
Missed a presentation or want to revisit the discussions?
Presentation slides and event photographs are now available exclusively to UKSFA members in the Members’ Area.
