Flood & Coast Conference and Exhibition 2026

Flood & Coast 2026: taking place in Liverpool, UK

Flood & Coast is the UK’s leading annual event for professionals working to manage flood risk, build climate resilience, and protect our communities, infrastructure, and environment.

Hosted in the vibrant city of Liverpool, this must-attend event brings together the people, ideas and innovations driving the future of flood and coastal risk management.

Delivered in partnership with our Strategic Partners, Flood & Coast is where the public and private sectors connect — from local authorities and infrastructure operators to engineers, environmental specialists, community leaders, and policy-makers. Whether you work in planning, delivery, research or regulation, this is your space to share insights, forge partnerships, and explore practical solutions to the most pressing climate challenges.

Expect three days of discussion, knowledge-sharing, and practical learning. From keynote talks and real-world case studies to new approaches and lessons from the field, Flood & Coast offers space to explore what’s working – and what’s next – in flood and coastal risk management.

Policy to practice: Achieving resilience together

Flood & Coast 2026 will explore how the FCERM community can turn policy ambition into practical, effective delivery — across our rivers, catchments and coasts. With a changing climate, evolving policy and regulation, and increasing pressure on resources, the sector faces some of its biggest challenges — but also unprecedented opportunities to innovate, collaborate and accelerate resilience through system-wide and place-based approaches that reflect local needs and catchment priorities. The programme will balance strategic insight with practical learning.

Attendees will hear from policymakers shaping the future of FCERM and gain practical tools, case studies and inspiration from those delivering on the ground. Whether you’re starting your career, leading major programmes, or working at the intersection of disciplines, Flood & Coast 2026 will provide fresh perspectives, actionable knowledge, and opportunities to connect across the whole FCERM community.

The conference programme will address the following priorities:

1. Flood and coast policy and the strategic landscape
   As DEFRA’s new flood-funding policy reshapes the approach to flood and coastal erosion investment, and the Independent Water Commission’s reform agenda presents opportunities to collaborate for shared benefit, we explore what this means for FCERM in practice; and how can we innovate, collaborate and accelerate resilience through system-wide and place-based approaches that reflect local needs and catchment priorities.
2. Funding, assets and investment
   Tackling the balance between capital and operational funding, from maintenance and forecasting to long-term asset management and response. Managing and adapting ageing infrastructure, understanding new funding opportunities and unlocking investment through demonstrating multiple benefits for people, nature and growth.
3. Skills and the future workforce
   Inspiring and equipping the next generation of FCERM professionals, while building capacity, improving inclusivity and innovation skills across the workforce.
4. Innovation in delivery
   Harnessing technology, data and new approaches to transform asset management, improve efficiency, and drive smarter decision-making.
5. Water, nature and climate resilience
   Delivering nature-based solutions, SuDS, and integrated water management at scale and pace to deliver climate resilience, healthier communities and ecosystems - and positioning FCERM as a central pillar of the UK’s climate adaptation strategy, backed by coordinated action across government.
6. Community resilience and social value
   Strengthening resilience through inclusion, engagement and trust — using community insight and local partnerships to improve preparedness, response and long-term recovery. Embedding social value and local understanding at the heart of FCERM planning, and this being a core tenet of catchment and regional water systems plans. Showcasing place-based learning opportunities at Flood & Coast’s new location.

Call for papers

Flood & Coast 2026 brings together professionals, decision-makers, and innovators from across the FCERM sector. We want to hear how advances in practice, and collaborative approaches and innovation are creating better outcomes for communities, infrastructure, and the environment, while building a climate-resilient, net-zero world.

This year, we are seeking submissions for:

• Workshops – interactive, practical, collaborative sessions
• Technical Skills Theatre – skill-based, practical and case study learning sessions
• Critical People Skills Theatre – human-centred approaches and leadership development
• Industry-led sessions – 40-minute sessions showcasing examples of best practice led by your organisation (paid)
• Side events – off-site or invitation-only sessions that complement the main programme (free to submit, venue hire cost may apply)

Accommodation

Liverpool Convention Bureau is the official accommodation booking provider for Flood & Coast 2026.

We recommend booking early to ensure you are able to select your preferred accommodation option.

If you wish to make a group booking (10+ rooms), or you are experiencing any difficulties in completing your booking online, please contact the Liverpool Convention Bureau accommodation team at bookings@liverpoolcvbres.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you to Liverpool and hope that you enjoy Flood & Coast 2026

Flood & Coast 2025: Highlights

2,100+ attendees, 105 exhibitors, 265 speakers, 125 sessions, 550 Awards Dinner attendees

Attending Flood and Coast 2025 was, as always, a highly valuable experience. The event never fails to impress—it's an essential gathering for anyone working in or looking to enter the Flood and Coastal sector. The networking and business development opportunities are plentiful, with many insightful conversations that will undoubtedly continue long after the event. Flood and Coast remains a standout event on the industry calendar.

Yvonne Smith

Flood and Coast is one of the biggest events in the FCERM sectors and it is great to be able to share experiences between practitioners and try to make positive changes as an industry together.

Valentina Aleotti

The UK’s primary event for catchment and coastal professionals.

Innes Thomson

Flood & Coast is like a 'battery recharge' for me. The chance to meet old friends, to make new friends, to learn about new products and to hear industry experts sharing their thoughts is exactly what I need from time to time to top-up my passion for SuDS. Work is hard; global chaos is frightening, and after a while my sparkle dulls, but Flood & Coast has brought back my sparkle.

Jo Bradley

As a newbie to flood and drainage I found the Flood and Coast Conference 2025, an excellent place for both my learning and networking.

Lisa Sale

I really enjoyed attending Flood & Coast 2025. There were insightful and interesting talks and workshops on many topics, including nature based solutions, groundwater, retrofitting SuDS and property flood resilience. The event provides a great forum for bringing together those who work across all parts of the flood risk world, and I cannot wait to attend again in the future.

Louisa Wade

It was my 1st F&C, and I cannot wait for next year.

Angharad Llewelyn

The scale of this event is really impressive and its inspiring to see the talent we have in the sector. I feel like I've gained knowledge and made new connections so it was worthwhile event. Well done to the team behind all the moving pieces.

Aisling McGilloway