ScaffEx26 will open its doors at Manchester Central on 10 September, bringing suppliers, contractors and industry bodies together for two days before the Scaffolding Excellence Awards close the event on Friday evening.
Registration for the exhibition and conference is free, with organisers preparing a larger exhibition hall following last year’s event.
Suppliers and service providers from across the scaffolding and access sector will be exhibiting, giving contractors the chance to compare equipment, speak directly with existing suppliers and meet companies entering the market.
The NASC Village will also return following its introduction at ScaffEx25, including the Black Hat pub and Demo Zone.
Conference tackles commercial and workforce pressures
Alongside the exhibition, journalist Sophie Long will host an eight-session conference programme covering some of the commercial, training and safety issues facing the sector.
The programme opens with Thriving in Uncertainty, a Question Time-style discussion covering fair payment, contract terms and workforce pressures.
Panellists are due to include representatives from the National Federation of Builders, PHD Access, Altrad UK and Lindum Group, alongside a government representative.
Another session will examine the realities of setting up and running a scaffolding business, with business owners discussing finances, company culture and some of the problems they encountered during their early years.
Training is also likely to produce plenty of debate.
Would You Trust a Scaffolder Trained on a Computer? will bring together training centre representatives, employers and scaffolders to discuss the use of virtual training technology and where it should sit alongside practical experience.
Other sessions will tackle the industry’s workforce shortage and safety risks including fire and dust exposure.
Two major projects will also come under examination. Delegates will hear about work on the restoration of Manchester Town Hall and the access challenges at 25 Canada Square in Canary Wharf.
Scaffolding Excellence Awards close the show
ScaffEx26 finishes on the evening of Friday 11 September with the Scaffolding Excellence Awards.
Comedian and broadcaster Dara Ó Briain will host this year’s ceremony. The former Mock the Week presenter will be joined by Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, actress and television presenter Kym Marsh and former England cricketer Phil Tufnell.
The awards recognise companies, projects and individuals from across the scaffolding and access industry, with categories covering achievement and professional standards across the sector.
Scaffmag will be at Manchester Central throughout ScaffEx26, reporting from the exhibition and conference across both days.
The exhibition and conference take place at Manchester Central on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September 2026.
Registration is free through the ScaffEx26 website, while separate tickets and tables are available for the Scaffolding Excellence Awards.
