Tuesday 24 March 2026
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Headline sponsor:
Silver sponsor:
Hosted by:
Active Wales returns in 2027
Please check back soon for updates.
2026 Highlights
Welcome to Active Wales 2026
Active Wales 2026 brings together the people, organisations, and leaders shaping the future of walking, wheeling, and cycling across Cymru. Developed in partnership with Welsh Government and Transport for Wales, this national event is the central forum for strengthening collaboration, accelerating delivery, and supporting a truly inclusive approach to active travel.
Through plenary sessions, expert led breakouts, design surgeries, monitoring support, exhibitions, and a walking tour of Cardiff’s active travel interventions, the event offers an in-depth exploration of what it takes to embed active travel into everyday life, supported by strong leadership, inclusive design, data driven decision making, and multimodal integration.
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Active Wales 2026 is the definitive annual gathering for anyone working to make active travel the natural choice for people and communities throughout Cymru.
Key themes:
Leadership & Collaboration
Strengthening trust, supporting local authorities and CJCs, and building effective regional partnerships that drive delivery and scale.
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Multi-modal Integration
Connecting active travel with rail and, bus links, , as well as exploring secure cycle parking, journey planning and better wayfinding.
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Infrastructure & Accessibility
Designing networks that are inclusive and barrier free, maximising opportunities presented by 20mph areas, and ensuring equitable access for disabled people, older adults, children and underrepresented groups.
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Data, Monitoring & Impact
Embedding robust evidence, monitoring frameworks, and shared learning to support accountability, track progress, and guide investment.
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Active Travel for Everyday Journeys
Supporting schools, workplaces, communities, and public sector organisations to champion behaviour change, embed the Healthy Travel Charter, and promote active travel through placemaking, communication, education and community engagement.
Why attend?
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Align with the national direction of travel as Wales advances the Active Travel Delivery Plan 2024–2027.
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Hear directly from national leaders, including Welsh Government, TfW, WLGA and regional representatives.
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Gain practical support, including TfW led design surgeries, monitoring support sessions, and hands-on case studies.
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Explore Cardiff’s real world active travel schemes through a guided walking tour, offered twice during the day.
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Learn from best practice across Wales, with examples from schools, communities, workplaces, and local authorities.
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Network with peers and partners across transport, health, education and placemaking.
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Discover tools, data and innovations
showcased within the exhibition.
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Build connections that support long-term delivery, including regional collaboration and cross-departmental working.
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As Wales moves forward with the Active Travel Delivery Plan 2024–2027, Active Wales provides a shared space for local authorities, CJCs, transport professionals, health and education partners, community organisations, and national policymakers to come together to learn, align, and deliver. The programme combines strategic insight with practical guidance, hands on support, and real-world examples helping every part of the system play its role in building a healthier, fairer, and more connected nation.
Active Wales 2026 is where leaders, practitioners and partners come together to share progress, solve challenges, and accelerate action, supporting a Cymru where walking, wheeling and cycling are easy, inclusive and integral to everyday life.
Who should attend?
Active Wales is designed for everyone involved in delivering, influencing, or supporting active travel, including:
Local authority officers and councillors
Welsh Government and Transport for Wales officers
Education leaders and learner travel professionals
Active travel and public realm consultants
Transport operators and mobility providers
Charities, advocacy groups and the voluntary sector
CJCs and regional transport teams
Public Health Wales and health sector leads
Planners, designers, engineers and accessibility specialists
Community organisations and behaviour change practitioners
Monitoring, evaluation and data specialists
Attendee rates
Public Sector
1st 3 Delegates
FREE
Each additional local authority place for your authority -
£149 + VAT
Whether you’re an educator, parent, transport planner, or policymaker, this conference will equip you with the tools and inspiration needed to make a tangible difference in your community.
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Together, let’s pave the way for a healthier, more active generation!
Public Sector: Local authority free registration
3 members of your Local Authority may attend free courtesy of the Welsh Government.​
Please note that only Welsh local authorities will be given priority for funded tickets. Local authorities from the rest of the UK must purchase a ticket via TransportXtra.
23rd March - Pre-event evening networking
Join fellow delegates, speakers, and exhibitors for an informal evening meet-up in central Cardiff on the night before the conference. This relaxed gathering offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and make new contacts ahead of the main event.
Delegates are invited to join from 18:00 at:
​Tiny Rebel Cardiff
Westgate Street
Cardiff
CF10 1DD
24th March Conference Programme
Programme currently in development
08.45
Enter via Gate 3.
President's Lounge: Registration, Networking & Exhibition
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Connect with colleagues from across Wales’ active travel, health, and placemaking communities over morning refreshments. Explore the exhibition showcasing tools, designs, and data supporting active travel delivery and community wellbeing.
09.45
Millenium Lounge
Opening Plenary – Delivering Active Wales
Theme: Leadership, Collaboration, and Delivery at Scale
This opening session sets the scene for Wales’ national journey toward safer, more inclusive, and sustainable active travel. Leaders from Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, and local authorities will explore how collaborative delivery is turning the ambitions of the Active Travel Delivery Plan 2024–2027 into reality.
A keynote and panel discussion will highlight how health, education, and transport are aligning to create places where walking, wheeling, and cycling are everyday choices.
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Opening remarks and welcome:
Aleena Khan, Transport Planner, AtkinsRéalis
Chair: Alex Walters, Deputy Director - Integrated Local Transport, Welsh Government
Speakers:
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Scarlett McNally OBE, Surgeon, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Professor and columnist, British Medical Journal
Shayoni Lynn, Independent Member of the Active Travel Board​
​Benjamin Harris, Active Travel and Public Transport Committee, Welsh Youth Parliament
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Peter McDonald, Director, Transport and Digital Connectivity, Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government
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11.10
Networking Break with Tea & Coffee served:
Opportunity to network and reflect on the plenary session over refreshments in the exhibition area
11.50
Breakout Sessions - Building an active Wales
Explore focused workshops tailored to your interests and expertise. Choose from three engaging sessions:
Millenium Lounge
Leadership & Regional Delivery
Regional Transport Delivery Plans are transforming how Wales collaborates. This discussion brings together local authority leaders, Corporate Joint Committees and delivery partners to share how trust, leadership, and shared learning are driving progress across regions.
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Chair: Gwyn Lewis, Head of Regional Transport, Welsh Government
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Speakers:
Kaarina Ruta, Senior Policy Officer (Transport), Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
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​Adam Graham, Senior Transport Officer, Ambition North Wales
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Alan Martin, Head of Active and Sustainable Travel Policy, Transport Scotland
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Fran Graham, Senior Transport Planner, West of England Combined Authority
St David’s Lounge
Data, Monitoring & Impact
Robust data is essential for effective investment and accountability. This session explores how local authorities and partners are measuring progress and using evidence to guide delivery. Hear practical case studies and join the Monitoring Support Drop-in for hands-on advice.
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Chair: Matthew Gilbert,
Head of Active Travel and Placemaking, Transport for Wales
Speakers:
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Evidence-led transformation and the future of active travel in Wales
John Howard,
Head of Business Development, VivaCity
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The design of the Travels project: A systems evaluation of the Walking, Wheeling and Cycling Demonstrator Town
Russ Jago, Professor of Physical Activity & Public Health, Bristol Medical School & Ruth Salway, Lecturer in Public Health Improvement, Bristol Medical School
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From data to decisions: Building joined-up transport intelligence for local authorities
Nicola Mastini,
Head of Technology, Citisense
What to expect from the Wales National Travel Survey
Sam Willson, Lead Statistician, Strategic Analysis, Transport for Wales
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Suite 88
Infrastructure & Accessibility
How can Wales design and deliver truly inclusive networks for walking, wheeling, and cycling? This session explores design standards, accessibility, and the opportunities presented by 20mph areas.
In the Expo area, on the TfW stand, delegates can also take part in a Design Surgery with the TfW Active Travel design team to discuss local projects and receive expert feedback.
Chair: Justin Ward, Head of Policy and Technical Practice, CIHT
Speakers:​
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​From analysis to impact: Using GIS‑based active travel network map analysis to unlock the benefits of 20mph
Nicola Grima, Active Travel Programme Lead, Transport for Wales (TfW)
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Safer side roads: how Wales new zebra crossing regulations will support walking and wheeling
Teresa Guerreiro, Design Lead, Transport for Wales (TfW)
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3D tactile models for the communication of 2D designs
Tim John, Principal Consultant, AtkinsRéalis
Meet on ground floor at Gate 3
Walking tour - Cardiff city centre
Join us for a guided walking tour in Cardiff city centre, exploring how thoughtful design can create welcoming spaces and schemes to support greater use of active travel. We’ll look at how perceptions of safety - particularly for women and girls - shape how people use streets and public spaces, while showcasing key active travel and public realm improvements in central Cardiff.​
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Facilitators include:
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Kelly Cary, Associate Director, AtkinsRealis
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Matt Price, Team Leader, Transport Vision, Policy and Strategy, Cardiff Council
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​Laura Service, School Coordinator, Living Streets and
Kelly Theis, Project Manager Wales and South England, Living Streets
The walking tour will run twice during the day, once in the morning and repeated in the afternoon, giving delegates two opportunities to take part.
13.00
Lunch, Networking & Exhibition
Enjoy a buffet lunch with panoramic views of the stadium, connect with delegates and speakers, and meet exhibitors demonstrating innovation in design, monitoring, and engagement.
14:10
Breakout Sessions - Building an active Wales
Dive deeper into key topics with these interactive sessions:
Millenium Lounge
Workplaces, Communities & Behaviour Change
Encouraging more people to walk, wheel, and cycle requires cultural change as much as infrastructure. Explore the success of the Healthy Travel Charter, community-led campaigns, and behaviour change approaches that inspire and empower people across Wales to travel actively.
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Chair: Julie Furnell, Managing Director, Mobilityways
Speakers:
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​Working together to support employers with sustainable travel
Tom Porter, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board / Public Health Wales and Jayne Cornelius, Sustainable Travel Officer, Swansea University
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Matt Jones, Head of Facilities Management – Services and Sustainability, Senedd Cymru
Dragons RFC Active Travel Campaign
David Watts, Sustainability Lead, Dragons Rugby Football Club
St David’s Lounge
Placemaking: Playful Journeys to School
From the school gate to the classroom, this session explores how streets and spaces can be designed to make the journey to school playful, safe, and engaging. Discover how placemaking and creative interventions can transform routes into vibrant community spaces, encouraging active travel and fostering a sense of belonging. Learn from initiatives that integrate play into everyday journeys and case studies on creating child-friendly environments that support health, wellbeing, and lifelong habits.
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Chair: Marianne Manello, Assistant Director: Policy, Support and Advocacy, Play Wales
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Speakers:
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Play and active travel: setting the scene
Finlay McNab, Design Lead (Places and Streets), Transport for Wales
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Bike Bus: transforming the journey from community to the classroom
Hamish Belding, FRideDays Bike Bus Project Coordinator, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust
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Play session: Short routes, big adventures
Jay Davies, Play Scheme and Inclusion Coordinator, Wrexham County Borough Council and Kurt Rushton, Active Travel Assistant, Wrexham County Borough Council
Suite 88
Integration &
Multi-modal Mobility
True active travel means seamless journeys. This session focuses on linking walking, wheeling, and cycling with public transport networks – from secure cycle parking to journey planning tools and wayfinding systems that make modal shift simple and convenient
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Chair: Aoife Blight, Programme Manager Active Journeys, Behaviour Change and Engagement, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Cymru
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Cycling in Town Centres
Fraser Arnot, Technical Director and UK Technical Authority for Active Travel, AtkinsRealis and Dimitris Potoglou, Professor of Transport and Applied Choice Analysis, Cardiff University
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Cycle Hangars: working with Housing Associations across Wales to improve access to cycling
Tanya Watkins,
Housing Support Team Manager, YMCA Cardiff and Molly Green Active Travel Graduate, Transport for Wales
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Carmarthen Mobility Hub
Adam Richards, Head of Commercial Asset Management, APCOA
Meet on ground floor at Gate 3
Walking tour - Cardiff city centre
Join us for a guided walking tour in Cardiff city centre, exploring how thoughtful design can create welcoming spaces and schemes to support greater use of active travel. We’ll look at how perceptions of safety - particularly for women and girls - shape how people use streets and public spaces, while showcasing key active travel and public realm improvements in central Cardiff.​​
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Facilitators include:
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Kelly Cary, Associate Director, AtkinsRealis
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Matt Price, Team Leader, Transport Vision, Policy and Strategy, Cardiff Council
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Laura Service, School Coordinator, Living Streets and
Kelly Theis, Project Manager Wales and South England, Living Streets
15.15
Afternoon break
Networking and refreshments in the exhibition
15:50
Millenium Lounge
Closing Plenary
Towards a Healthier, Happier, and Net Zero Wales
The final plenary brings together national and regional leaders to reflect on lessons from across Wales and set priorities for the next phase of delivery. Speakers will discuss how active travel supports the Well-being of Future Generations Act and contributes to a healthier, more connected, and Net Zero Wales.
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Chair: Alex Walters, Deputy Director - Integrated Local Transport, Welsh Government
Speakers:
Pete Dyson, Behavioural Scientist, University of Bath and Bicyle Mayor of Bath
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Sandy Clubb, Policy Lead on Involvement, Collaboration and Culture, The Office of the Future Generations Commissioner
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​Benjamin Harris, Active Travel and Public Transport Committee, Welsh Youth Parliament
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​Tom Wharf, Head of Design (Active Travel), Transport for Wales
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17.00
Close of conference
Speakers
Teresa
Guerreiro
Design Lead
Transport for Wales
Shayoni Lynn
Independent Board Member
Active Travel Wales
Scarlett
McNally OBE
Surgeon, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Professor and columnist
British Medical Journal
Aleena
Khan
Transport Planner
AtkinsRéalis
Tim
John
Principal Consultant
AtkinsRéalis
Tom
Porter
Consultant in Public Health Medicine
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board / Public Health Wales
David
Watts
Sustainability Lead
Dragons Rugby Football Club
Matt
Price
Team Leader, Transport Vision, Policy and Strategy
Cardiff Council
Dimitris
Potoglou
Professor of Transport and Applied Choice Analysis
Cardiff University
Aoife Blight
Programme Manager Active Journeys, Behaviour Change and Engagement
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Cymru
Julie Furnell
Managing Director
Mobilityways
Matthew Gilbert
Head of Active Travel and Placemaking
Transport for Wales
Adam Richards
Head of Commercial Asset Management
APCOA
Alex Walters
Deputy Director - Integrated Local Transport
Welsh Government
Ruth Salway
Lecturer in Public Health Improvement
Bristol Medical School
Marianne Mannello
Assistant Director: Policy, Support and Advocacy
Play Wales
Jayne Cornelius
Travel Plan Coordinator
Swansea University
Kurt Rushton
Active Travel Assistant
Wrexham County Borough Council
Tom
Wharf
Head of Design (Active Travel)
Transport for Wales
Sandy
Clubb
Policy Lead on Involvement, Collaboration & Culture
The Office of the Future Generations Commissioner
Peter McDonald
Director, Transport and Digital Connectivity
Welsh Government
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Kaarina
Ruta
Senior Policy Officer (Transport)
Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA)
Finlay
McNab
Design Lead (Places and Streets)
Transport for Wales
Matt
Jones
Head of Facilities Management – Services and Sustainability
Senedd Cymru
Kelly
Cary
Associate Director
AtkinsRéalis
Nicola
Mastini
Head of Technology
Citisense
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Alan Martin
Head of Active and Sustainable Travel Policy
Transport Scotland
Hamish Belding
FRideDays Bike Bus Project Coordinator
Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Cymru
Fran Graham
Senior Transport Planner
West of England Combined Authority
Fraser Arnot
Technical Director and UK Technical Authority for Active Travel
AtkinsRéalis
Pete Dyson
Behavioural Scientist and Bicyle Mayor of Bath
University of Bath
Russ Jago
Professor of Physical Activity & Public Health
Bristol Medical School
Nicola Grima
Active Travel Programme Lead,
Transport for Wales
Benjamin Thomas Harris
Welsh Youth Parliament Member
Delyn
Sam Willson
Lead Statistician, Strategic Analysis
Transport for Wales
Exhibition packages
Gold Sponsor
(2 available)
Includes:
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Prominent Gold Sponsor branding across the event website and on-the-day materials
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Logo to appear on all delegate badges as Gold Sponsor
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Logo to appear on all event holding slides as Gold Sponsor
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Opportunity to chair or participate as a panellist in a relevant breakout session, subject to steering group approval
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3m x 2m open exhibition space, supplied with table, chairs, Wi-Fi and power supply
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Company profile with logo and 250-word description on the event website
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Logo inclusion on all on site signage
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Up to 6 delegate places for staff, colleagues and guest invitations
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Invitation to the pre-conference networking evening
£4,500 + VAT
Silver Sponsor
(2 available)
Includes:
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Silver Sponsor branding on the event website and all event signage
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Logo to appear on all event holding slides as Silver Sponsor
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Opportunity to participate as a panellist in a relevant breakout session, subject to steering group approval
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3m x 2m open exhibition space, supplied with table, chairs, Wi-Fi and power supply
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Company profile with logo and 150-word description on the event website
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Up to 4 delegate places for staff, colleagues and guest invitations
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Invitation to the pre-conference networking evening
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£3,250 + VAT
3m x 2m Exhibition Stand
Includes:
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3m x 2m open exhibition space, supplied with table, chairs, Wi-Fi and power supply
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Company profile with logo and 150-word description on the event website
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Up to 3 delegate places for staff, colleagues and invited guests
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Inclusion in the exhibitor listing on the event website and on-site materials
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Invitation to the pre-conference networking evening on Monday 23 March
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£2,000 + VAT
Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities
To discuss exhibiting opportunities at Active Wales 2026,
contact Jason Conboy on 020 7091 7893
Active Wales 2026 is where leaders, practitioners and partners come together to share progress, solve challenges, and accelerate action, supporting a Cymru where walking, wheeling and cycling are easy, inclusive and integral to everyday life.
Exhibitors include:
