The SPA National Awards and Conference is back and better than ever!

#SPANC26 is coming to Norwich from 27th – 29th March 2026 with a top lineup of speakers, workshops, networking meet ups and the UK’s largest student publication awards.

We’re beyond excited to be bringing SPANC to Norfolk’s beautiful and historic city (which has not one, but TWO cathedrals) thanks to our host publication Concrete, the University of East Anglia’s student publication.

Keep up to date with speaker announcements and the launch of our national awards by following us on Instagram or signing up to receive the SPA’s newsletter. 

Questions? Email events@spajournalism.com

Where will #SPANC26 be held?

The conference and awards ceremony will take place on the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus (Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ).

What’s included in my ticket?

All tickets include:

• A welcome social on Friday (with dinner!) giving you the chance to meet students from across the UK and Ireland;

• Access to the full conference programme with more than 30 panel discussions and keynote speaker events from top journalists;

• Access to one-to-one drop-in sessions with senior industry professionals, as well as workshops to get bespoke feedback on your work (including copy clinic, CV workshop, your very own free byline photo and much more…);

• A goodie bag full of freebies;

• A reserved seat at the SPA Awards, including a three-course sit-down dinner, as we celebrate the best of student journalism;

• Meals during the conference itself on Friday, Saturday and Sunday;

• An opportunity to vote at our AGM to shape SPA policy for the next year;

• Your chance to run for election to be part of the SPA’s executive committee and put on an even better event in 2027.

  We also have conference-only tickets available for those who just want to take in all the knowledge.

What about if I book accommodation?

If you buy an accommodated ticket, we have more options available than ever - including this year on campus, just two minutes away from our conference venue. 

Staying in on-campus accommodation is the easiest way to get the most out of #SPANC26.

Rooms at the Broadview Hotel are just a short walk from conference sessions, workshops and socials, meaning no late-night travel and more time to network with other attendees. On-campus rooms include a mix of shared twin, double and a limited number of single rooms, offering greater comfort and flexibility. Availability of room types is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you book a twin room you’ll be staying at either the Broadview Hotel on the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus, or the Premier Inn Norwich City Centre (Duke Street). You’ll be sharing a twin room with one other person. Tickets for the city centre are cheaper to accommodate for the travel time. 

If you are booking alone, you will be allocated a roommate by the SPA. Where possible, we will take into account publication and other preferences provided at checkout. If you have accessibility requirements or specific room-sharing needs, please let us know when booking.

If you book a shared double room these tickets van only be booked in pairs. Private double rooms and single rooms are also available. 

If you book a conference and awards only ticket, it is up to you where you stay, and the SPA will not be responsible for sourcing your accommodation.

What food will I get?

A light lunch and refreshments will be available on both conference days, with a formal three-course meal served at the awards ceremony. Breakfast is included in accommodated tickets. 

You will be asked to provide any dietary requirements during the ticket checkout process. We are able to cater for a wide range of dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher and common allergies.

How do I get to Norwich?

If you’re getting the train, Norwich Railway Station runs direct Greater Anglia services to and from London Liverpool Street, Cambridge, Peterborough, Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham. with connections via East Midlands Railway (EMR) from Liverpool. At least two changes will be required if you travel via train from Cardiff or the South West. You will also have to change at Peterborough if you’re travelling from Edinburgh.

The SPA is aware that there may be service disruptions on several rail routes during the #SPANC26 weekend. We recommend checking your journey in advance to help ensure smooth travel to Norwich.

If you are looking to take a coach, National Express runs direct services to Norwich bus station or directly to the University of East Anglia (UEA) campus from London Victoria, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Stansted Airport and Heathrow Airport. Flixbus also runs services from London, departing from Stratford.

If you’re driving, you can get to Norwich by following the A11 from London/South East, or the A14 and A11 from the East Midlands/North. Free on-site parking is available at the Broadview Hotel. Delegates staying in the Premier Inn Norwich City Centre can park in the St Andrews Multi-Storey Car Park at a starting rate of £2 per hour. Parking is not included with our accommodated tickets.

If you’re travelling from further afield, Ryanair and easyJet operate flights to Stansted Airport from Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh and Newquay. Once you’ve arrived at Stansted, you can take a direct train or coach to Norwich Railway Station.

When should I arrive?

Registration for the conference will take place from 3pm on 27 March. Please make sure you arrive in time to get yourselves checked in and ready for our Friday night social! If you're arriving on Saturday, just turn up to the welcome desk in the morning.

Is the site accessible?

All venues and spaces on the UEA campus are fully accessible. If you have any concerns, get in touch!

Can I get financial help to come to SPANC?

The SPA’s Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) aims to help individuals who are currently underrepresented in journalism attend SPANC. This includes, but it is not limited to, those from lower socio-economic or ethnic minority backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTQI+, or have a disability. 

Funding will cover all basic costs associated with attending #SPANC26, including: 

• Travel to and from the event within the UK or Ireland;

• Accommodation for up to two nights;

• Tickets to the full conference and awards evening;

• Meals during the conference weekend.

The scheme may also see some applicants awarded partial funding.

You can apply by completing our online application form, which opens on Wednesday.

Awards night

The SPA’s National Awards are a celebration of all the excellent work that takes place across our member publication community throughout the year! Our awards cover a wide variety of article categories and publications, and previous winners have gone on to secure amazing jobs across the industry and beyond. 

This year’s award winners will be announced at our awards ceremony on the Saturday of #SPANC26. More details on how to enter the awards can be found here. 

The awards ceremony is a formal evening event. Attendees are encouraged to dress smartly, but there is no strict dress code.

Code of Conduct

All attendees at #SPANC26 are expected to behave in a professional and respectful manner throughout the conference weekend, including at social events and the awards ceremony. The SPA’s code of conduct applies at all times, and any concerns can be raised in confidence with a member of the SPA team.

Photography and filming

Photography and filming will take place during #SPANC26 for promotional and archival purposes. If you would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please inform a member of the SPA team at registration.