More than 250 glazing industry professionals gathered at the Coventry Building Society Arena for the 2026 Glazing Summit, making this year’s event one of the most well-attended and engaging editions to date.
Bringing together leaders from across the glass, glazing, fenestration and wider construction supply chain, the Summit delivered a packed programme of thought-provoking presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the industry and beyond.
The day kicked off with an opening keynote from the Bank of England’s Glynn Jones, who provided an overview on the Bank’s outlook for the coming 18 months (key takeaways: inflation is higher than expected, energy prices remain volatile and rising costs will have a knock-on effect for consumers).
This year’s agenda was developed by a Steering Committee of industry experts and independent market research, which highlighted key areas of focus for the sessions. As expected, Artificial Intelligence emerged as one of the dominant themes throughout the day, with almost all sessions exploring the growth of technology across the fenestration sector. Delegates heard from a range of speakers exploring how AI is transforming business operations, customer engagement, manufacturing processes and data-driven decision making. While technology took centre stage in many discussions, speakers repeatedly emphasised that people remain at the heart of successful businesses, highlighting the importance of skills, leadership and company culture in navigating change.
Alongside AI, a strong message of collaboration resonated throughout the event. Industry leaders underlined the need for businesses to work more closely together to address shared challenges, from sustainability and recruitment to regulation and economic uncertainty. Many sessions showcased examples of successful partnerships and reinforced the value of collective action in driving progress across the sector.
The Summit also provided delegates with extensive opportunities to connect with peers, customers and suppliers. Networking sessions throughout the day proved especially popular, creating a vibrant atmosphere and sparking conversations that are expected to lead to new partnerships and business opportunities.
With an audience representing every corner of the industry, the event once again demonstrated the Glazing Summit’s position as the leading forum for discussion, debate and knowledge-sharing within the sector.
“This year’s Glazing Summit brought together the industry at a challenging time for business,” said GGP editor, Chris Beck. “This is an sector built on relationships, and that was abundantly clear throughout the day. While AI and technology may shape the future of this sector, it will be nothing without the people running the companies.
“Of course, this event would be nothing without the support from its sponsors and the speakers who gave up their time to share their insight. I’d once again like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Glazing Summit such a success.”
As the industry continues to evolve, the 2026 Glazing Summit highlighted a clear consensus: while technology will play a critical role in shaping the future, collaboration, relationships and people will remain the foundations upon which long-term success is built.
For more information about the Glazing Summit and future events, visit the event website.
