Mark your calendars, because the plumbing world is about to converge in spectacular fashion. From 23–25 June 2026, the NEC Birmingham will transform into the global epicenter of plumbing innovation as the World Plumbing Conference 2026 unites the international water and plumbing community for three electrifying days of insight, breakthrough thinking, and skills excellence — all alongside the renowned InstallerSHOW.
This year's theme, "Worldwide Problems, Global Solutions," isn't just a tagline — it's a rallying cry. The conference will tackle head-on the biggest challenges facing water, sustainability, and public health across the globe, bringing together the brightest minds to forge real, actionable answers.
ProgrammeThree Days, Three Themes, Endless Possibilities
Each day of the conference unfolds with its own focused theme, weaving together keynote presentations, dynamic panel discussions, and hands-on technical sessions. Whether your passion is skills development, water supply and conservation, sustainability, or safeguarding public health, you'll find content engineered to deliver both big-picture strategy and practical, take-home value.
This isn't a conference for spectators — it's built for professionals across plumbing, manufacturing, engineering, and policy who want to make a difference. See the full agenda here.
The LineupA Powerhouse Roster You Won't Want to Miss
Day one comes out swinging with a spotlight on sustainability and water stewardship, headlined by keynote speaker Claire O'Neill CBE, who will dive deep into the Global Plumbing Commitment and the industry's pivotal role in protecting our most precious resource.
She'll be joined by an absolute who's-who of global water champions — including Feargal Sharkey OBE, Chris Hines MBE, and Dr Doulaye Koné of the Gates Foundation — each bringing world-class perspective on water quality, sanitation, and environmental responsibility.
Adding even more firepower, broadcaster Tom Heap will moderate the key discussions, while Daphne Doody-Green brings her expertise on strategic change and the future of leadership in the industry.
Skills & TalentThe Skills Forum: Where Tomorrow's Talent Shines
One of the conference's crown jewels is the World Plumbing Conference Skills Forum, delivered in partnership with WorldSkills and IWSH. Picture this: a live training workshop fused with a competitive arena, where emerging plumbing talent from across the planet showcases advanced techniques in installation and system configuration.
It's part masterclass, part championship, and a powerful reminder of why skills and standards remain the backbone of our profession.
NetworkingConnect, Celebrate, and Build the Future
Beyond the sessions, delegates will enjoy a vibrant calendar of networking and social events — from welcome receptions to the show-stopping gala dinner and awards evening. These aren't just nice-to-haves; they're where partnerships spark, deals get done, and lifelong connections form with international peers, industry leaders, and decision-makers.
It's the kind of world-class professional caliber that Best Plumbers champions year-round — celebrating excellence in the trade, spotlighting top-tier talent, and connecting skilled professionals with the customers who need them most.
With visitors expected from more than 20 countries and access to hundreds of exhibitors through InstallerSHOW, the World Plumbing Conference 2026 isn't just an event — it's a once-a-year opportunity to exchange game-changing ideas, build powerful partnerships, and gain front-row insight into how plumbing is shaping the future of sustainable development and public health.
And for the professionals and homeowners who can't make the journey to Birmingham, the same standard of excellence celebrated on the world stage is just a click away — every day of the year — through the industry's most trusted Plumbing Directory.
Register today and start planning your trip to the UK.