Tuesday 24 March 2026
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Organised by:
Headline sponsor:
Hosted by:
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 Welsh local authorities will be given priority for funded tickets.
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.
The venue will be confirmed nearer the time, but it will be a welcoming, accessible location close to the city centre and conference venue. All registered delegates are invited to attend.
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24th March Conference Programme
Programme currently in development
08.45
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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Speakers:
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Aleena Khan, Transport Planner, AtkinsRéalis
Kirsty James, Active Travel Board Chair and Campaigns Officer (Wales), Active Travel Board and RNIB Cymru
Scarlett McNally OBE, Surgeon, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Professor and columnist, British Medical Journal
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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 Plans (RTPs) and Delivery Partnerships (RTDPs) are transforming how Wales collaborates. This discussion brings together local authority leaders, CJCs, and delivery partners to share how trust, leadership, and shared learning are driving progress across regions.
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Chair: Gwyn Lewis, Regional Transport Fund Lead, 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
Suite 85
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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Speakers:
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John Howard,
Head of Business Development, VivaCity
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Nicola Mastini,
Head of Technology, Citisense
Suite 96
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. 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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Tim John, Principal Consultant, AtkinsRéalis
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Nicola Grima, Active Travel Programme Lead, Transport for Wales (TfW)
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Teresa Guerreiro, Design Lead, Transport for Wales (TfW)
Meet at reception
Walking Tour – Cardiff in Motion
Join us for a guided walking tour showcasing key active travel, public realm, and street enhancement schemes in central Cardiff. This interactive tour will highlight how the city is delivering people-focused spaces, improving connectivity, and supporting healthier, more active urban living. Delegates will see recent and emerging projects first-hand, hear from local officers involved in their development, and have the chance to discuss lessons learned and future plans.​
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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
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
Speakers:
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Finlay McNab, Design Lead (Places and Streets), Transport for Wales
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Hamish Belding, FRideDays Bike Bus Project Coordinator, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust
Suite 85
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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Speakers:
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​Tom Porter, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board / Public Health Wales
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Matt Jones, Head of Facilities Management – Services and Sustainability, Senedd Cymru
David Watts, Sustainability Lead, Dragons Rugby Football Club
Suite 96
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
John-Paul Doherty, Professional Head of Discipline for Highways Operational Safety, AtkinsRealis and Dimitris Potoglou, Professor of Transport and Applied Choice Analysis, Cardiff University
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Tanya Watkins,
Housing Support Team Manager, YMCA Cardiff
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Carmarthen Mobility Hub
Adam Richards, Head of Commercial Asset Management, APCOA
Meet at reception
Walking Tour – Cardiff in Motion
Join us for a guided walking tour showcasing key active travel, public realm, and street enhancement schemes in central Cardiff. This interactive tour will highlight how the city is delivering people-focused spaces, improving connectivity, and supporting healthier, more active urban living. Delegates will see recent and emerging projects first-hand, hear from local officers involved in their development, and have the chance to discuss lessons learned and future plans.​
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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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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
17.00
Close of conference
Speakers
Teresa
Guerreiro
Design Lead
Transport for Wales
Kirsty
james
Active Travel Board Chair and Campaigns Officer (Wales)
Active Travel Board and RNIB Cymru
Scarlett
McNally
Surgeon, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and past President
Medical Women's Federation
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
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
Ian
Walker
Professor and Head of School of Psychology
Swansea University
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
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
