Crowne Plaza, Stratford-Upon-Avon set to host the Aluminium Federation (ALFED)’s flagship event combining business insight, industry recognition and charitable impact
With just six weeks remaining, anticipation is building for the ALFED Annual Business Briefing & Dinner 2026, taking place at the Crowne Plaza Stratford-upon-Avon on Thursday 24th September, bringing together leaders from across the UK aluminium supply chain for a day of insight, collaboration and celebration.
Centred around the theme “Making Things Happen in UK Manufacturing”, this year’s Business Briefing programme will explore the challenges and opportunities facing UK industry, with expert speakers addressing topics including economic resilience, manufacturing competitiveness, innovation, leadership development and future skills.
Headline sessions include an opening keynote from John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, who will discuss the role of industrial identity, capability and collective action in strengthening UK manufacturing. Delegates will also hear from Glynn Jones of the Bank of England, providing valuable insight into economic forecasts, inflation and industrial confidence. The programme will feature industry leaders from across the aluminium sector, alongside technical and strategic discussions covering industrial transformation, sustainability and future capability.
A key feature of this year’s event will be the ALFED Sleep Pod Relay, running throughout the day and inviting delegates to step away from the conference programme for just ten minutes to help build Sleep Pods that will provide shelter and support for people experiencing homelessness.
Under the banner, “10 Minutes of Your Time. A Lifetime of Impact,” the initiative aims to demonstrate the collective impact that can be achieved when industry comes together for a common purpose.
As the Business Briefing draws to a close, attention will turn to the evening’s celebrations.
Guests will begin with a pre-dinner drinks reception, sponsored by Swan Alloy, incorporating Shakespearean elements that celebrate Stratford-upon-Avon’s unique heritage and setting.
During the dinner, highlighting our diamond sponsor, Smart Aluminium Extrusion, attendees will hear from Jess Rowe and Miriam Payne of the Seas the Day rowing team, who will share personal reflections from their extraordinary 8,000-mile Pacific Ocean crossing from Peru to Australia. Their story of resilience, teamwork and determination was undertaken in support of The Outward Bound Trust, ALFED’s 2026 Official Charity Partner.
The formal programme will culminate in the presentation of the 2026 ALFED Awards, sponsored by BOAL Extrusion UK, recognising excellence, innovation and achievement from across the aluminium industry. This year’s awards will aim to celebrate extraordinary individuals and companies from across the sector with the following categories;
- Rising Star Apprentice Award
- Low-Carbon Innovation Award
- Industry Champion Award
A huge shout-out also goes to EDMO Limited, who have kindly designed and crafted this year’s trophies for us, keeping sustainability in mind as the awards have been manufactured using off-cuts of aluminium that would have otherwise been destined for scrap. The awards are a great reflection of EDMO’s capabilities as they started as a simple piece of aluminium tube, and transformed by machining the features of the design, surface finishing, and finally laser etching the inscription to each of the trophies.
Following the awards, guests will have the opportunity to continue networking and celebrating with live music and a post-dinner casino, sponsored by Aluminium Shapes.
The evening will also feature a silent auction in aid of The Outward Bound Trust, helping to raise funds for the charity’s work supporting young people through challenging outdoor learning experiences. Those wishing to support the cause before the event can donate online via ALFED’s fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/page/aluminium-federation-supporting-the-outward-bound-trust
With limited tickets remaining, ALFED is encouraging organisations across the aluminium sector to secure their places and be part of what promises to be one of the industry’s most significant events of the year.
For ticket information and event details, visit:
https://alfed.org.uk/event/2026-alfed-annual-dinner/
