NEG announces 2026 Building for Success Conference 

NEG announces 2026 Building for Success Conference

New partnership with AIO

Date Sunday 18 and Monday 19 October at St George’s Park in Burtonon-Trent

The National Eyecare Group (NEG) has announced the dates for its 2026 Building for Success Conference, which will take

place in October in partnership with the Association for Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (AIO).

To be held on Sunday 18 and Monday 19 October at St George’s Park in Burtonon-Trent – the home of English football – the conference will be themed: ‘The future’s brighter together’. And, for the first time, the conference will be open to non-members working in independent practice.

Delegates will be able to attain 13 CPD points through workshops and lectures, supported with business presentations and an exhibition of leading NEG preferred suppliers – including Title Sponsor EssilorLuxottica, and Headline Sponsors Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision and Stepper.

A gala dinner on the Sunday evening will celebrate independent practice, with the inaugural NEG Awards. Two awards will be presented – Supplier of the Year and Practice of the Year – nominated by the membership.

A highlight of the two-day programme will be keynote presentations by Ella AIShamahi on Sunday 18 October, and by Sir Clive Woodward OBE on Monday 19 October.

Explorer, paleoanthropologist and evolutionary biologist turned TV presenter, Ella

AI-Shamahi is renowned for hosting science and archaeology programmes on the BBC, Channel 4 and beyond. As well as leading expeditions in demanding locations such as Iraq, Yemen and the Nagorno-Karabakh region, Ella uses comedy to make complex ideas accessible, performing internationally at venues including the Bloomsbury Theatre, the National Geographic main stage, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Sir Clive Woodward is probably one of the world’s best and most innovative coaches. In his lecture, titled ‘Brilliant basics’, the Rugby World Cup-winning coach and respected business leader will share how doing the simple things brilliantly can be the foundation of lasting performance.

Phil Mullins, NEG managing director, said: “As part of our community-building ethos, we are delighted to announce the return of our Building for Success Conference in 2026 – and for the first time in partnership with the AIO. Together, we have organised our biggest – and what we hope will be – our best conference ever. In opening the conference out to any independent practice in the UK, we hope to ensure everyone feels welcome to be part of our independent community.

“As well as gaining valuable CPD points, delegates will return to practice with tangible ideas and strategies to grow their practices and their teams. We are also thrilled to be welcoming Ella AI-Shamahi and Sir Clive Woodward this year, who will be sure to leave delegates feeling challenged and invigorated to achieve great things – in life as well as practice.”

New partnership with AIO

Commenting on the new partnership, AIO chairman, Keval Sejpar, said: “The AIO is delighted to be partnering with NEG for the 2026 conference at St George’s Park. As two organisations that work purely for the benefit of the independent sector, we look forward to presenting an excellent agenda that helps drive the sector forward, while strengthening bonds with suppliers and fellow independent practitioners alike.”

The conference is free to attend, with subsidised accommodation   rates available. To find out more about the programme, view the latest updates and to register, visit https://negconference.co.uk