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World Plumbing Conference comes to InstallerSHOW 2026
A UK based paid event attracting an influential and global audience, all coming together to work towards improving the future of plumbing. For the first time in 36 years, it will be hosted in England by InstallerSHOW at the NEC in Birmingham, alongside the World Plumbing Council and the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating. Bringing together global plumbing leaders, industry experts and visionaries, the 3 day conference will discover, challenge and discuss worldwide plumbing challenges focusing on the theme “Worldwide Problems – Global Solutions”.
09:00
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Delegates are invited to collect their badges and enjoy morning refreshments in the networking area ahead of the day’s programme.
10:15
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Kevin Wellman, CEO of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE), officially opens the World Plumbing Conference 2026 with an energising address that reflects on plumbing’s ev …
10:30
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In preparation for the Plumbing & Heating competition at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, we’re proud to host a live training showcase featuring international plumbing contestants completing a series of tec …
10:45
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Plumbing systems sit on the frontlines of climate adaptation—shaping how buildings are constructed, how communities live, and how finite resources are protected. In this keynote provocation, Claire O’ …
11:00
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Following Claire O’Neill’s keynote, this high‑impact panel brings together global thought leaders and technical pioneers to examine plumbing’s role in shaping breakthrough efficiency measures, circula …
12:00
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Delegates are invited to take a moment to recharge and connect with peers over refreshments, served in the networking area.
12:30
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Amid growing public concern over pollution events, financial mismanagement, and a deepening crisis of trust, this keynote panel confronts the hard truths facing the UK water sector. Featuring senior v …Speakers
13:15
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Delegates are invited to enjoy a well-earned lunch and take the opportunity to connect with peers. Lunch will be served in the networking area, offering a relaxed setting to continue conversations and …
14:15
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In the UK, gas engineers remain the only trade legally required to hold a licence, regulated under the Gas Safe Register. This expert panel—moderated by Kevin Wellman—examines how quality and accounta …
15:00
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As the plumbing and heating sector responds to rising demands for sustainability, safety, and skilled labour, the role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is more critical than e …
15:45
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Building on the conversation around global workforce development through TVET, this panel explores practical strategies to address the critical shortage of skilled professionals in the plumbing and he …
16:30
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Independent merchants are the backbone of local trade ecosystems — not just supplying products, but nurturing skills, relationships, and innovation. This session explores how merchant businesses are d …Speakers
17:15
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As the first day of the conference concludes, delegates are invited to enjoy refreshments in the networking area and reflect on the day’s insights before beginning their evening. The programme resumes …
08:00
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Delegates are welcomed back for the second day of the programme, with a focus on Innovation, Efficiency & Technical Standards. Morning refreshments are available in the networking area ahead of the da …
08:45
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Day Two opens under the guidance of Master of Ceremonies Julie Spinks, Chief Executive of WRAS, with a focus on the technologies, practices, and frameworks that underpin safe, efficient, and future‑re …
09:00
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The Water Supplies Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (WSD) is advancing public service through integrity and innovation—ushering in a new digital era to enhance operational eff …
09:30
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As the UK transitions to low-carbon heating, domestic heat pumps are emerging as a key enabler of grid flexibility. This session shares insights from EQUINOX, an innovation trial led by National Grid …
10:00
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Air source heat pump water heaters (HPWH) are gaining popularity as a low-carbon alternative to traditional electric or gas systems, using ambient air to heat water. As adoption accelerates, their ins …
10:30
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Start at Home is a collaborative research initiative between SNIPEF and Nesta, designed to explore whether providing plumbing and heating engineers with a free heat pump to install in their own home c …
11:00
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Delegates are invited to take a moment to recharge and connect with peers over refreshments, served in the networking area.
11:30
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Water distribution and associated sanitary pipework systems in healthcare facilities are essential for patient hygiene, wellbeing, and infection prevention and control, yet, they can also act as hidde …
12:15
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Water is both precious and vulnerable—and as climate pressures intensify, efficiency alone is no longer enough. Plumbing and water professionals must design and deliver systems that are resilient, sec …
13:00
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Delegates are invited to enjoy a well-earned lunch and take the opportunity to connect with peers. Lunch will be served in the networking area, offering a relaxed setting to continue conversations and …
14:00
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Backflow prevention is a critical safeguard in maintaining drinking water purity—yet the UK continues to lag behind global leaders such as the US and Australia in adopting best practices. This session …Speakers
14:45
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Securing our water future demands more than innovation—it requires collaboration across sectors, disciplines, and borders to turn shared challenges into shared solutions. This session focuses on the h …
15:30
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The Worshipful Company of Plumbers Annual Lecture welcomes futurist Matthew Griffin for a compelling exploration of the forces reshaping water, infrastructure, and society. Drawing on global trends an …
16:30
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As Day Two concludes, delegates are invited to enjoy refreshments in the networking area and continue conversations sparked by today’s sessions. The programme resumes at 8:30am tomorrow with Day Three …
08:00
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Delegates are welcomed back for Day Three of the programme, focused on Equity, Hygiene & Systems. Morning refreshments are available in the networking area ahead of the day’s sessions.
08:45
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Day Three opens under the guidance of Master of Ceremonies Michelle Ashford, former COO of WICS, and explores how water and sanitation systems can be designed to serve everyone — regardless of geograp …
09:00
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From the invention of the water closet to the rise of centralised sewer networks, the UK’s 19th-century drainage systems shaped global patterns of water use, sanitation access, and nutrient management …
09:30
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The Bokhejunda Water Distribution Project is a new humanitarian initiative led by the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE) and The Worshipful Company of Plumbers, in partner …
10:15
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Led by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), this session explores recent efforts to collect and analyse water use data in non-residential buildings to support th …
10:45
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With over four billion people lacking access to clean water, the global water crisis demands urgent, localised action. Yet public awareness of actual water consumption—especially virtual water—remains …
11:15
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Delegates are invited to take a moment to recharge and connect with peers over refreshments, served in the networking area.
11:45
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This session explores the evolving landscape of Non-Sewered Sanitation (NSS) — systems that operate independently of traditional sewer networks. NSS encompasses innovative approaches to waste capture, …
12:45
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This strategic reflection builds directly on the preceding panel discussion, which explored the evolving landscape of Non-Sewered Sanitation (NSS) — from standards and technologies to implementation r …
13:15
14:15
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This strategic session explores how ownership and investment models shape access, affordability, and infrastructure priorities in the water sector. Developers, regulators, and utilities will examine t …
15:00
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Over the past three days, the programme has explored plumbing’s evolving role — from governance and workforce development to technical innovation, standards, and global equity. Delegates have heard ho …