SPA National Conference and Awards 2025 - #SPANC25

The SPA National Awards and Conference is back for its biggest and best year yet!

Our annual conference is a weekend packed full of journalism talks, workshops, networking and awards, and we can’t wait to bring it to Devon’s capital city.

#SPANC25 will be hosted from 4th – 6th April by Exeposé, the University of Exeter’s student newspaper, and hosted at Sandy Park, home of the Exeter Chiefs - tickets are on sale now and are even price-matched to last year thanks to the generous support of Exeposé!

Please be mindful before you book that we are unable to grant refunds. The SPA is a small charity which runs our conferences at a loss, and pays for conference costs in advance based on the number of tickets sold.

Find out more about #SPANC25 here.

Tickets are on sale now. Accommodated tickets include breakfast and a bed in a shared twin room at the Courtyard Exeter Sandy Park hotel - right next door to the conference venue, giving you maximum lie-in time! Our awards will also be held at Sandy Park, giving you plenty of time to get ready, and not far to stumble back to.

You will be able to list a preference as to who you wish to share with. There is also an option to upgrade your ticket to a single-occupancy double room.

Also for the first time this year, the SPA can offer up to 80% off your train travel to #SPANC25 when booked through GWR. Check your confirmation email for details.

Your ticket includes:

• 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;

• Up to 80% off your train ticket to #SPANC25 when you book through GWR; 

• 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 goody 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 2026.

  
  

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

For more information, including all terms and conditions and FAQs, read more here. Questions? Email chair@spajournalism.com.