Speakers from across business, design, construction and manufacturing will explore how collaboration can help the bathroom sector respond to shared challenges

The Bathroom Association’s Annual Connect Conference returns to The Grand Hotel, Birmingham, on Thursday 8 October. Bringing together the entire bathroom industry, the conference will provide a full day of insight, discussion and networking, followed by the Association’s Gala Dinner

The theme for 2026 is ‘Stronger Together’, reflecting the importance of closer collaboration at a time when businesses across the sector are responding to economic uncertainty, changing consumer expectations, skills shortages, regulatory pressures and the need to improve environmental performance. Rather than viewing these as separate challenges for different parts of the market, the conference will consider how knowledge and experience can be shared more effectively across the bathroom supply chain

The daytime programme will open with award-winning author, broadcaster and keynote speaker Jez Rose. Then Rebecca Larkin, head of construction research at the Construction Products Association, will assess the economic and construction outlook. Followed by an exploration of the changing relationship between design, product development and consumer expectations by SBID CEO, Dr Vanessa Brady

An industry panel will discuss the shortage of skilled installers and plumbers and its wider consequences for the industry. And the final main session will come from entrepreneur Rob Law MBE, who will draw on his experience of turning an early setback into an international product success, sharing lessons around resilience, innovation, manufacturing and understanding the needs of the end user

Daphne Doody-Green, CEO of the Bathroom Association, says, “The challenges and opportunities facing the bathroom sector are increasingly interconnected. Our annual conference gives us the chance to bring different parts of the industry together, hear perspectives we may not encounter in our everyday roles and have constructive conversations about where we go next.”

You can find further details here