ASPiH Conference 2026

What ASPiH Conference 2026 is and who goes

ASPiH Conference is the annual meeting of the Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare, a not-for-profit membership body. The 2026 event is its 17th and is themed Simulation: The Next Era. It draws clinicians, educators, simulation technicians, students and commercial suppliers from across health and social care. The 2025 conference in Bournemouth had over 1,000 delegates from 26 countries.

Dates and opening times

The conference runs from Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 November 2026 at Harrogate Convention Centre. Wednesday is the ASPiH X-perience, a separately ticketed workshop day: registration opens at 9.30am, workshops run from 10am to 5pm and a drinks reception follows from 5pm to 7pm.

The main conference and exhibition take place on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 November. On Thursday, registration and the exhibition open at 8am, the welcome is at 8.45am and a networking reception runs from 5.30pm to 7pm. On Friday, registration opens at 8am, the day two welcome is at 9am, the exhibition closes at 3pm and closing remarks finish around 4.30pm. The organiser notes that the programme may change.

For exhibitors and teams staying all week

The exhibition fills Halls B and C, and the organiser reports it sold out in 2025. Exhibitor and sponsor enquiries go through Fitwise, the conference organiser. Teams who are in town from the Wednesday through to Friday evening often want somewhere to spread out, make breakfast before an early start and keep kit tidy. Our serviced apartments and townhouses are a short walk from the Convention Centre and suit that kind of stay.

For visitors and delegates

This is a professional conference, so you need to register to attend. Student, technical and support roles pay less than physicians and other clinicians, and ASPiH members pay less than non-members. At the time of writing, standard full-conference rates (from 1 September) run from £350 to £700 for members and £430 to £850 for non-members, including VAT. The X-perience day costs £55 for students, £110 for members and £165 for non-members. Check the official site for current prices and whether registration is still open. Keynote speakers include Dr Soledad Armijo-Rivera, Charles Everard and Pedro Cartaxo Cintra, and the programme also covers oral presentations, posters and workshops. Bring your confirmation email to collect your badge.

Getting there

Harrogate station is about a 10-minute walk from the Convention Centre. Leeds is about 35 minutes away by train. The organiser says trains from London usually involve a change at Leeds, so check LNER and National Rail for the best option on your day. Leeds Bradford Airport is about 30 minutes by taxi. If you are driving, use postcode HG1 5LA and allow for pay-and-display parking at the venue.

Book early

Late November is a busy time for Harrogate conferences and Christmas shopping trips, and a three-day event with an exhibition puts pressure on rooms close to the centre. The organiser has an accommodation service run by Reservation Highway, and you are welcome to compare it with a stay with us. Booking early gives you the widest choice, particularly if you are travelling as a group.

After the event

Thursday evening includes the exhibition reception and, for those with tickets, the SimSoirée at the DoubleTree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic. On other evenings, Harrogate has plenty of restaurants and bars within walking distance of the centre. If you have a free hour before a train, the Turkish Baths are a relaxing way to wind down after three days of sessions.