Annual Conference 2026 Exhibitor Opportunities

Children in Scotland’s 2026 conference explores the children’s sector through the lens of the 20th anniversary of GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child), Scotland’s national commitment to providing all children, young people and their families with the right support at the right time, so that every child and young person can reach their full potential.

The programme of keynotes speeches and workshops will unpack issues surrounding the 8 SHANARRI wellbeing indicators:  Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, and Included.

In addition, there will be a specific strand that flows through the conference focusing on co-produced work to highlight how those across Scotland are working together to get it right.

Sponsored by Clearcare, this year’s conference will be a space to share learning, inspiration and reflections as we come together to celebrate successes, acknowledge areas requiring improvement and strengthen our collective next steps as we continue to support children and young people across Scotland.

This is a unique opportunity to get together with people from across the whole spectrum of the children’s sector. From frontline staff to strategic leaders, funders and academics, students and volunteers – it’s a chance to meet, learn and network with like-minded people who have a shared aim to improve the lives of children in Scotland.

The conference will feature:

Practical workshops

Learn new skills to take back to your own work supporting children and young people.

Good practice exchange

Hear from organisations and practitioners who have introduced innovative ways of working with children and young people, explore how to make these work in your setting, and discuss your own experiences.

Inspirational presentations

Listen to leading experts share their knowledge, trailblazers tell their stories and young people explain what made a difference to their lives.

Children and young people’s voices

Embedded across all activity — from Changing our World (our children and young people’s advisory group) helping with the conference planning, to young people co-chairing and children’s views and perspectives within workshops.

  • What to expect?
    • 450 delegates across the two days
    • 20 workshops
    • 40+ exhibitors
    • Expert keynote speakers
    • Networking opportunities
    • A conference that incorporates children and young people’s views each step of the way, through our children and young people’s advisory group, Changing our World, and the wider participation children and young people.
  • Who will be there?

    The Annual Conference will once again bring together diverse voices from across the children’s sector to share best practice, explore innovative ideas and build on our collective aim of creating a country where children and young people have an equal chance to flourish.

    Attendees represent individuals and organisations across the private, public and third sectors, including:

    • Early years childcare, learning and support
    • Primary, secondary, further, higher and community education
    • Health, social, foster and residential care
    • Local authorities and Scottish Government

    In previous years we’ve been thrilled to have participation from a range of leading children’s sector organisations, including Kibble, the Open University in Scotland, Forces Children Scotland, Clearcare, Harmeny, Children & Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, LGBT Youth Scotland, Road Safety Scotland, Intercultural Youth Scotland, Home-Start, Creative Scotland, Fast Forward, Carnegie UK, Care Inspectorate, Parenting Across Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid, GTCS and Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities.

  • Why get involved?

    This is a unique opportunity to meet, network and share your work with practitioners. You’ll be able to raise awareness of your organisation with delegates in Glasgow and via all our associated conference comms.

    Engage with the sector

    The variety of the programme and range of delegates provides a unique forum for you to discuss, disseminate and gain vital feedback on your work with children and young people.

    Raise your profile

    With delegates in attendance from so many sector organisations, and promotion to our 3,000+ followers across LinkedIn and Bluesky, this is a great opportunity to increase awareness of your organisation’s activities, projects and campaigns.

    Shape the agenda

    Every year we receive more than 100 requests to contribute to the event, and we consider them all for inclusion. Unfortunately, we’re not able to accommodate everyone, but taking up one of our sponsorship options can strengthen your place in the programme – please contact us for more information.

    Discussion and planning sessions

    Share your perspectives and expertise with others across the sector. Make plans to work together and improve your own settings.

    Research presentations

    Be the first to hear about the latest research and findings from studies relating to children and young people’s lives and discuss how this could impact your work.

    Strengthen the sector — and support your staff

    As the flagship CPD event of the year for the sector, this is an invaluable opportunity for you to contribute to the development of our workforce’s skills and knowledge. This of course includes your own staff!

    Sustainability

    This year we continue our sustainability journey which has become an increasingly important focus for us over the last couple of years, led by our children and young people’s advisory group, Changing our World.

    We aim for the conference to be more environmentally sustainable. Once again, we’ll be having a plant-focussed menu to cut down on emissions while we have decided to not have a printed programme (it will be accessible digitally through a QR code) and will be encouraging exhibitors to consider what materials they bring along. One of the real positives of the new venue is that the DoubleTree by Hilton provides a carbon offset for each delegate who attends the conference.

     

  • What do you get?
    • Exhibition stand
    • 2 x two-day delegate passes, with a discounted rate available for additional delegate tickets.
    • Preferential room booking rates at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.
    • Inclusion in our online conference hub exhibitor listing section, which will contain:
      • Your logo
      • Link to website
      • Contact information
      • Organisation description
    • An exhibitor social media pack to help you promote your presence at our conference.
    • Social media engagement in the months running up to the conference, and on the days of the event. Speaker sponsors will also be announced in specific posts on LinkedIn and Bluesky.
  • What does it cost?

    Members: £695
    Non-members: £845

    Please note VAT will apply to all prices where applicable.

    Your exhibition stand includes a table (standard 6’), two chairs, a tablecloth, and access to electricity if required.

Apply to be an exhibitor

Have questions first? Use the Contact Us form and select “Events & Training”.