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Amy Kirk, marketing and events director at the Bathroom Association, previews the speakers and conversations taking centre stage at Connect Conference 2026, before the industry comes together to celebrate its emerging talent at the evening’s Gala Dinner.
From rapidly changing consumer expectations, and acute economic pressures to skills, innovation and manufacturing, our annual conference will bring a varied speaker programme to Birmingham this October.
We’re returning to the fabulous surroundings of The Grand Hotel, Birmingham, on Thursday, October 8, with a programme designed to look beyond the industry’s immediate pressures and consider what stronger, more sustainable growth could look like.
This year’s theme, ‘Stronger Together’, reflects a simple reality: the challenges facing the bathroom sector cannot be addressed by individual businesses working in isolation. Whether the subject is skills, standards, innovation, sustainability or changing customer expectations, progress increasingly depends on better collaboration across the supply chain.
Opening the speaker programme will be award-winning author, broadcaster and keynote speaker Jez Rose. Known for combining research-led thinking with humour and energy, he will explore how nature affects human health, wellbeing and behaviour, and how relatively small changes can produce significant results. His session will also consider what high-performing teams can teach businesses about resilience, trust and maintaining momentum.
The economic backdrop will then come into sharper focus with Rebecca Larkin, head of construction research at the Construction Products Association. At a time when businesses are navigating subdued market conditions, cost pressures, and uncertainty about the pace of recovery, her analysis will provide useful context for the decisions companies are making now.
Design and consumer expectations will be examined by Dr Vanessa Brady OBE, founder and CEO of the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID). Drawing on more than 30 years’ experience across interior design, construction and procurement, Brady will consider the trends shaping the market and what customers increasingly expect from the spaces, products and brands they choose.
After lunch, attention will turn to one of the sector’s most persistent concerns: the shortage of skilled, competent installers and plumbers. A panel discussion featuring Steve Collinge, managing director of Insights Retail Group, will explore the consequences for capacity, costs, quality and compliance. Importantly, the conversation is expected to look beyond simply diagnosing the problem and towards the collective action needed to strengthen skills and competence.
The final main session comes from entrepreneur Rob Law MBE. Best known for creating the Trunki ride-on suitcase, Law turned an unsuccessful appearance on Dragons’ Den into a product success story spanning more than 100 countries. His manufacturing-focused presentation will offer a candid perspective on resilience, innovation, understanding the end user and taking a physical product from a promising idea to international growth.
Alongside the formal sessions, the conference will provide time for delegates to compare experiences and continue the conversations prompted on stage, which are often among the most valuable parts of an industry gathering.
The day concludes with our Gala Dinner, including the charity raffle. The evening will also celebrate our Thirty-under-Thirty winners of 2026, recognising younger professionals already making their mark on the sector.
I’m looking forward to welcoming friends new and old back to our annual conference for a packed day of good conversations and excellent food.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, and booking details see the Connect Conference 2026 website: bathroom-association.org.uk/cc2026/
This article is sponsored content