
Education Buildings Wales 2026
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About this event
Education Buildings Wales 2026 (Adeiladau Addysg Cymru 2026)
Education Buildings Wales is an annual conference and networking event dedicated to educational buildings in Wales. It is described as the only event of its kind focused specifically on the educational learning estate, bringing together the people who shape it—through policy, planning, delivery, and ongoing stewardship.
Event focus & theme
The event’s stated theme is: “Designing for Learning & Building a Sustainable Future for Education in Wales.” The programme is structured to connect policy direction with real project delivery across the sector, supporting a dialogue-driven approach to improving educational spaces.
What the event covers
The event focuses on the funding, design, build, maintenance, and management of learning environments, specifically including:
- Schools
- Colleges
- Universities
Who it is for (policy + practice)
Education Buildings Wales brings together education sector professionals and built environment practitioners. It is positioned as a place where policy and practice meet—creating a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic dialogue intended to support sustainable, inclusive, and high-performing learning environments across Wales.
Conference + networking format
The event is delivered as both:
- Conference sessions covering key challenges for estates and facilities professionals, plus the latest policies and trends presented by representatives of the Welsh Government and other sector stakeholders, supported by real-life examples.
- Networking opportunities designed to help attendees meet and promote services to sector leaders and decision makers involved in designing, delivering, refurbishing, and supplying products and services for educational buildings.
Where the event is happening (as provided on the official site)
The provided official website content includes location and scheduling details, but these details appear under the “Education Buildings Wales 2027” section rather than explicitly under “2026”. Based strictly on the text provided, the location and dates shown are:
- City/Venue shown on the page: Cardiff (Venue details for 2026 not stated in the provided text)
- Dates shown on the page: Summer 2027 (Dates for 2026 not stated in the provided text)
Opening times (as provided on the official site)
The official content also lists opening times for the “Education Buildings Wales 2027” entry: 08:30 to 17:15. Opening times for 2026 are not stated in the provided text.
Partnership
The event is held in partnership with the Welsh Government. The official content positions the Welsh Government involvement as central to the policy-led elements of the programme and the policy-to-project link the event aims to strengthen.
Why the event matters for educational estates
Education Buildings Wales is presented as the annual glimpse into the future of the Welsh learning estate. By combining strategic discussions with practical examples and sector collaboration, the event aims to support better outcomes for educational infrastructure—particularly where long-term sustainability, inclusion, and operational excellence are priorities.
Register your interest
The official page invites visitors to register their interest in the event and directs attendees to “Conference information” via the site’s navigation.
Official organiser (as listed on the page)
The event is shown as organised by STEP CONNECT2 Ltd.
Address: 1st Floor Upper Birchetts, Langton Road, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 0EG.
Telephone: +44 1892 351626
Email: education@stepconnect2.com
Data sheet
| Event Name | Education Buildings Wales 2026 / Adeiladau Addysg Cymru 2026 |
| Event Date | Official website references “Summer 2027 | Cardiff.” User-provided date: 30 June 2026. The official site content currently shows a 2027 edition reference, so the exact 2026 date is not independently verified from the primary source. |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Cardiff, UK (specific venue name not publicly confirmed on the copied official page text) |
| City | Cardiff |
| State / Region | Wales |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Organizer | STEP CONNECT2 Ltd |
| Official Event Website | educationbuildings.wales |
| Event Type | Conference and networking event with exhibition / sponsor presence |
| Primary Category | Building & Construction |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Education & Training; Business Services; Home & Office |
| Audience Reach | Primarily national (Wales-focused), with adjacent UK public-sector and education-sector relevance |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Medium to low for total headcount; high for event positioning, audience type, and thematic focus |
| Main Purpose of Event | To bring together Welsh education policy leaders, estates and facilities professionals, and built-environment suppliers to discuss funding, design, build, maintenance, and management of learning environments. |
Education Buildings Wales is a specialist annual conference and networking event dedicated to the educational learning estate in Wales. According to the official event website, it is held in partnership with the Welsh Government and focuses on the funding, design, build, maintenance, and management of schools, colleges, and universities.
The event matters because it sits at the intersection of policy and project delivery, attracting decision-makers who influence public investment, estate planning, capital works, refurbishment, sustainability, and operational performance. For suppliers, consultants, contractors, and service providers, it is a strong B2B environment for engaging public-sector education buyers and built-environment stakeholders involved in long-cycle purchasing and framework-based procurement.
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education estate leaders | Local authorities, academy trusts, schools, colleges, universities | Set priorities for capital works, maintenance, refurbishment, and strategic estate planning | High-value audience for construction, facilities, and estates solutions |
| Facilities and estates teams | Public education estates departments, FM teams, site operations | Influence maintenance contracts, building systems, compliance, and service procurement | Relevant for FM, M&E, cleaning, security, energy, and asset management suppliers |
| Capital project sponsors | Public sector capital programme teams, project sponsors, programme boards | Approve and steer new-build, refurbishment, and decarbonisation projects | Important for architects, contractors, PMs, and specialist building suppliers |
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Education authorities, universities, trusts, public-sector procurement offices | Manage tenders, frameworks, supplier qualification, and contract awards | Direct route to RFPs, framework entry, and approved supplier lists |
| Policy and government stakeholders | Welsh Government, public agencies, education policy teams | Shape funding direction, standards, compliance priorities, and sector strategy | Relevant for policy-aware suppliers and public-sector framework vendors |
| Architects / design consultants | Architecture firms, education design specialists, engineering consultants | Recommend specifications, design standards, and partner suppliers | Influential for materials, BIM, sustainability, acoustic, and fit-out vendors |
| Main contractors / subcontractors | Construction firms, specialist trades, MEP contractors | Influence supplier selection on active and future projects | Strong fit for subcontract, product, and service providers |
| Sustainability / decarbonisation leads | Public-sector net zero teams, estates carbon programme owners | Specify energy performance, retrofit, and carbon-reduction solutions | Relevant for energy, HVAC, controls, insulation, and ESG services |
| Technology and digital learning estate stakeholders | IT leaders, digital learning teams, AV / classroom technology planners | Shape smart-building, connectivity, and learning-environment technology decisions | Relevant for smart campus, AV, networking, security, and software suppliers |
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiff host city | Local public-sector and built-environment attendees | High | Cardiff is Wales’ main business and public-sector hub. |
| Wales / host region | Education authorities, colleges, universities, contractors, consultants across Wales | Very high | Core audience based on official event positioning. |
| Nearby business hubs | South Wales corridor, Bristol, Newport, Swansea, Bridgend, Newport | Medium to high | Likely spillover from adjacent infrastructure, construction, and education markets. |
| National reach | UK-based suppliers and advisors serving Welsh education estates | Medium | Likely attendance from England-based firms active in Wales. |
| International reach | Limited; only if suppliers or advisors have UK education-sector relevance | Low | Official website positioning is strongly Wales-specific. |
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary classification | The event is Wales-focused, but it draws national UK suppliers and advisors serving the education built-environment market. |
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welsh Government | Government / procurement buyer | Official event partner; influences education estate policy, funding, and standards. | gov.wales | Procurement Manager, Policy Lead, Estates Lead, Project Director | Confirmed Government / Procurement Organization |
| Cardiff University | Higher education buyer | Major campus estate owner with ongoing capital, maintenance, and sustainability needs. | cardiff.ac.uk | Director of Estates, Head of Capital Projects, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Swansea University | Higher education buyer | Relevant for estates, retrofit, facilities, and learning-environment upgrades. | swansea.ac.uk | Estates Director, FM Manager, Capital Programme Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Bangor University | Higher education buyer | Public-sector estate operator with facilities and capital planning requirements. | bangor.ac.uk | Director of Estates, Procurement Lead, Projects Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| University of South Wales | Higher education buyer | Large education estate and procurement stakeholder in South Wales. | southwales.ac.uk | Head of Estates, Procurement Manager, Project Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | Higher education buyer | Likely target for refurbishment, energy, and learning-space improvement solutions. | cardiffmet.ac.uk | Estates Manager, Facilities Director, Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Coleg Gwent | Further education buyer | College estate operator with campus facilities and refurbishment needs. | coleggwent.ac.uk | Director of Estates, FM Manager, Procurement Officer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Coleg y Cymoedd | Further education buyer | Relevant for campus upgrades, sustainability projects, and building services. | cymoedd.ac.uk | Estates Lead, Facilities Manager, Project Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Bridgend County Borough Council | Local authority education buyer | Responsible for schools and public assets; likely estates and procurement stakeholder. | bridgend.gov.uk | Head of Asset Management, Procurement Manager, Project Officer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Cardiff Council | Local authority education buyer | Large schools estate and capital works buyer in the host city. | cardiff.gov.uk | Education Estates Lead, Procurement Officer, Capital Projects Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Newport City Council | Local authority education buyer | Schools estate, refurbishment, and public procurement relevance. | newport.gov.uk | Estates Manager, Procurement Lead, Construction Projects Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Swansea Council | Local authority education buyer | Relevant for school estate planning, maintenance, and capital delivery. | swansea.gov.uk | Head of Property, Education Estates Lead, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Caerphilly County Borough Council | Local authority education buyer | Education estates and public building stakeholder in South Wales. | caerphilly.gov.uk | Project Manager, Estates Officer, Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council | Local authority education buyer | Large schools estate and capital delivery requirements. | rctcbc.gov.uk | Estates Director, Capital Programme Manager, Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Director of Estates / Estates Director | Estates / Facilities | Director | Owns strategic building, maintenance, and capital planning decisions. |
| 2 | Head of Capital Projects / Capital Programme Manager | Capital Projects | Senior Manager | Controls delivery of refurbishment and new-build work. |
| 3 | Head of Procurement / Procurement Manager | Procurement / Supply Chain | Manager to Director | Manages tenders, frameworks, supplier onboarding, and contracts. |
| 4 | Facilities Manager / FM Lead | Facilities | Manager | Influences maintenance, service contracts, and building performance. |
| 5 | Project Manager / Programme Manager | Projects / PMO | Manager | Coordinates suppliers, consultants, and project timelines. |
| 6 | School / College / University Principal or Vice-Chancellor delegate | Leadership | Executive | Influences strategic priorities for learning environments and investment. |
| 7 | Sustainability / Net Zero Lead | Sustainability / Environment | Manager to Director | Drives decarbonisation, retrofit, and ESG procurement. |
| 8 | Architect / Design Manager | Design / Consultancy | Senior Individual Contributor | Shapes specifications, product selection, and project recommendations. |
| 9 | IT Director / Digital Learning Lead | IT / Digital | Director to Head | Relevant for smart campus, AV, connectivity, and security solutions. |
| 10 | Compliance / Health & Safety Lead | Compliance / H&S | Manager | Important for safe building operation, statutory upkeep, and risk management. |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education Management | Core sector for schools, colleges, and learning environments. | School and campus estate decision-makers |
| 2 | Higher Education | Universities are explicitly included in the event scope. | University estates, projects, and procurement teams |
| 3 | Primary/Secondary Education | Schools are a major focus of the event. | Local authority school estate buyers |
| 4 | Construction | Event covers build, refurbishment, and delivery. | Main contractors and project delivery teams |
| 5 | Architecture & Planning | Design is central to the event theme. | Education-focused design consultants |
| 6 | Civil Engineering | Infrastructure and site works are relevant to school and campus projects. | Infrastructure delivery and enabling works |
| 7 | Facilities Services | Maintenance and ongoing stewardship are core topics. | FM, cleaning, security, and maintenance providers |
| 8 | Environmental Services | Sustainability and carbon reduction are prominent themes. | Retrofit, energy, waste, and ESG services |
| 9 | Information Technology & Services | Smart learning spaces and digital infrastructure are relevant. | Connectivity, AV, software, and smart-building tools |
| 10 | Government Administration | Welsh Government and local authorities are key buyer groups. | Public-sector procurement and policy stakeholders |
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Organizer website copy does not publish a total attendance figure | Use only as a qualitative B2B lead source, not a quantified attendee-list benchmark. |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed in the copied text | Unconfirmed | Official site references exhibition and exhibitors, but no count shown in the provided source text | Potentially valuable for supplier mapping if the exhibitor directory is published separately. |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | No buyer list provided in copied official content | Use role-based targeting rather than headcount assumptions. |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Speakers page exists, but count not included in provided text | Speaker organizations are likely useful for prospecting once the programme is reviewed directly. |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Unconfirmed | Sponsor pages are referenced; count not shown in copied text | Sponsors are likely solution providers in construction, facilities, and education services. |
| Historical attendance | Not publicly confirmed in provided source text | Unavailable | No reliable historical attendee figure included in the supplied official content | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Procurement | Frameworks, compliance, supplier qualification | Meet procurement teams managing education capital and FM spend | Procurement services, bid support, contract management tools |
| Design | Learning-focused, inclusive, future-ready buildings | Engage architects and design managers shaping project specifications | Architecture, planning, interior design, specialist consulting |
| Build / refurbishment | Delivery capability, cost certainty, programme control | Connect with capital project owners and contractors | Construction, MEP, fit-out, specialist trades |
| Maintenance and FM | Reliability, safety, lifecycle cost reduction | Speak to estates and facilities teams with operational budgets | Hard FM, soft FM, maintenance software, asset management |
| Sustainability | Net zero, energy efficiency, carbon reduction | Position energy and retrofit solutions to public-sector stakeholders | Retrofit, HVAC, controls, insulation, renewables, audits |
| Digital learning environments | Connectivity, AV, hybrid learning, smart buildings | Reach IT and facilities leaders responsible for classroom tech | AV, Wi-Fi, networking, smart campus software, security tech |
| Compliance and safety | Building safety, statutory inspections, risk management | Meet leaders accountable for safe operation of occupied buildings | Inspection, compliance, fire safety, security, maintenance |
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The event is specifically built around education estates, facilities, funding, and delivery. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Official site positions the event for public-sector influencers and decision-makers. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Strong if exhibitor, sponsor, and speaker lists are published; attendance count is not publicly confirmed. |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Clear industry, geography, and job-title alignment for education, construction, and public-sector procurement. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Strong Wales-specific focus with useful nearby UK spillover markets. |
| Best outreach approach | Account-based and role-based | Target estates, procurement, and project stakeholders with tailored solution messaging. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Well-aligned B2B event for supplier outreach into public education and built-environment buying committees. |
| Best use case | Qualified attendee-list building and procurement pipeline development | Suitable for lead generation, appointment setting, exhibitor prospecting, and account targeting. |
| Limitations / risks | Event-year date inconsistency; limited public volume data | Official website text references Summer 2027 while the user provided 2026 dates; attendance count not published. |
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Education Management; Higher Education; Primary/Secondary Education; Construction; Architecture & Planning; Civil Engineering; Facilities Services; Environmental Services; Information Technology & Services; Government Administration | Capture the core buying ecosystem around education buildings and public-sector delivery. |
| Departments | Operations, Facilities, Procurement, Project Management, Finance, Engineering, IT, Sustainability, Administration | Reach the teams closest to purchasing and project execution. |
| Seniority | Manager, Director, VP, CXO, Head, Partner, Owner | Prioritize decision-makers and budget holders. |
| Job titles | Director of Estates, Head of Estates, Facilities Manager, Procurement Manager, Capital Projects Manager, Programme Manager, Sustainability Manager, IT Director, Head of Procurement, Project Director | Direct line to buyer committees and influencers. |
| Geography | Wales; Cardiff; South Wales; United Kingdom | Match the event’s location and sector concentration. |
| Employee size | 50–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,001+ (prioritize public-sector organizations and larger education bodies) | Captures institutions with active estates and procurement functions. |
| Keywords | education estate, facilities, capital projects, refurbishment, decarbonisation, net zero, learning spaces, campus, procurement, Welsh Government | Refines target accounts to event-relevant buying intent. |
| Company type | Government, public institution, higher education, local authority, contractor, consultancy | Focus on organizations with building and procurement authority. |
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Buildings Wales official website | Official organizer / event website | Event positioning, partnership with Welsh Government, focus areas, audience, conference and networking format, and Cardiff / Summer 2027 reference. | Very high |
| STEP CONNECT2 Ltd organizer information on official site | Organizer / contact page content | Confirmed organizer name and business contact details. | Very high |
| Welsh Government | Government website | Public-sector identity of the event partner referenced on the official event site. | High |
| Education Buildings Wales programme / speakers / sponsors menu references | Official event navigation references | Verified that the event maintains speaker, sponsor, exhibitor, and programme pages, though counts were not present in the copied text. | High |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Education Buildings Wales 2026 — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.