About the Conference

The International Head & Neck Cancer Conference 2026 builds on more than a decade of collaboration, shared learning, and patient-led innovation. Over the past ten years, the conference has grown into a trusted and respected forum where patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners come together with a shared purpose: to improve care, outcomes, and quality of life for everyone affected by head & neck cancer.

Last year’s conference in Northampton was one of the most successful to date, welcoming over 300 delegates per day across two days. The programme featured six interactive panel discussions and more than 25 speakers, bringing together lived experience and professional expertise from across the head & neck cancer pathway.

Post-conference feedback consistently highlighted:

• the importance of patients and caregivers sharing the stage with professionals
• the value of panel-led discussion over traditional lectures
• the focus on quality of life, rehabilitation, and long-term survivorship, alongside treatment

“This was one of the few conferences where patient experience genuinely shaped the conversation.
I left with practical insights that will influence how I work every day.”
Conference Delegate (anonymous feedback)

Many attendees reported that learning from the conference directly informed conversations back in clinics, services, education, and research—demonstrating the real-world impact of bringing diverse voices together in one space.

In 2026, the conference will continue to build on this momentum. Over two days, the programme will combine expert keynote sessions with interactive panels, ensuring that patient and caregiver voices remain central to learning and reflection.

The conference will challenge attendees to think differently about care from diagnosis, through treatment, survivorship, and beyond, recognising that survival alone is not enough without quality of life. As the conference enters its next decade, it remains committed to ensuring that lived experience continues to shape care, research, and support for the years ahead.

Why Attend?

“This conference exists to ensure that patients and caregivers are not just heard, but truly listened to. By bringing people together in one place, we build better understanding, better care, and better quality of life for everyone affected by head & neck cancer.” 

This makes this conference special is the way clinical expertise and lived experience come together in the same room. These conversations genuinely shape how we care for people affected by head & neck cancer. Attending gives professionals, patients, and caregivers the opportunity to learn from one another and take insights back into everyday practice where they truly make a difference. Hearing directly from patients and caregivers alongside clinicians strengthens multidisciplinary working and improves how we support people during treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term recovery.
Joanne Ashton, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Victoria Hospital, Blackpool

Conference President

We are pleased to announce that Joanne Ashton, a Clinical Nurse Specialist specialising in Head & Neck Cancer at Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, will serve as Conference President for 2026.

Joanne brings extensive clinical experience and a deep commitment to patient-centred care. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for integrating clinical excellence with lived experience, ensuring that patients and caregivers are actively involved in shaping care, communication, and long-term support. Her leadership reflects the values at the heart of this conference: collaboration, compassion, and improving quality of life for people affected by head & neck cancer.

“This conference is about listening, learning, and working together. When patients, caregivers, and professionals share the same space, we can improve care in ways that truly matter to people living with head & neck cancer.”
Joanne Ashton, Clinical Nurse Specialist

Conference Timetable

Conference Venue
The Imperial Hotel, North Park Drive, Blackpool, Lancashire FY3 8NR

Conference Highlights

• Keynote presentations and panel discussions led by leading UK and international experts
• Powerful lived-experience stories shared by patients, survivors, and caregivers
• Interactive sessions designed to encourage open discussion and audience participation
• A strong focus on improving patient outcomes, rehabilitation, survivorship, and quality of life at every stage of care
• Local and international companies showcasing the latest products, services, and innovations supporting people affected by head & neck cancer

You are encouraged to visit the exhibition area to explore innovations, services, and resources that support patient care, rehabilitation, and long-term quality of life across the head & neck cancer pathway.

Charity Gala Dinner 

Join us for a prestigious Charity Gala Dinner as part of this year’s International Head & Neck Cancer Conference.

Taking place at the elegant Imperial Hotel, North Promenade, Blackpool, on Tuesday, 3rd November 2026, this special evening promises celebration, connection and inspiration in true Blackpool style.

Black Tie Event
7:00pm for 7:30pm
Carriages at Midnight

Guests will be welcomed with drinks on arrival, followed by a beautifully prepared three-course meal in the hotel’s stunning surroundings. The evening will continue with live music, creating the perfect atmosphere to relax, network and celebrate together.

More than just a dinner, this is an opportunity for patients, caregivers, clinicians, partners and supporters to come together socially, strengthen relationships and support the ongoing work of the charity.

An unforgettable evening. One community. One shared mission.

** Cost £60 per person or if you book a table of 10 its discounted to £550

BOOK HERE

Travel, Accommodation & Getting There

Full travel information and accommodation guidance will be provided closer to the event.

Getting There

By Train:
Blackpool is well served by rail, with regular services to Blackpool North Station. The Imperial Hotel is approximately a 10–15-minute walk or a short taxi journey from the station.

By Car:
Blackpool is easily accessible via the M55 motorway, connecting directly to the M6. On-site and nearby public parking is available; charges may apply.

By Air:
Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport offer international and domestic connections. Both airports are approximately 60–75 minutes by road or rail.

Local Transport:
Blackpool has an extensive tram and bus network running along the promenade, with stops located close to The Imperial Hotel.

Recommended Local Taxi Service

Premier Taxis – a trusted Blackpool taxi and private-hire service operating across Blackpool, Lytham & St Annes, and the Fylde Coast.

For convenient local travel during your time in Blackpool, we recommend Premier Taxis, offering 24/7 service throughout Blackpool, Lytham St Annes, and the Fylde Coast.

Telephone: +44 (0)1253 401000

Train & Taxi Fare Estimates (Guide Only)

Manchester Airport → Blackpool North Station: approximately £15–£30 (advance/off-peak)
Journey time: approximately 1.5–2 hours
Taxi from Blackpool North Station to venue: approximately £7–£10
Taxi from Manchester Airport → The Imperial Hotel: approximately £85–£95 (one way)

Fares vary by provider, vehicle type, and time of day; all prices are indicative estimates only.

Conference Highlights

- Expert keynote speakers from the UK and internationally
- Interactive panel discussions bringing together patients, caregivers, and professionals
- Lived-experience insights that inform clinical practice and service improvement
- A strong focus on outcomes, rehabilitation, survivorship, and quality of life

Optional Conference Donation

To help support the delivery of the International Head & Neck Cancer Conference, we invite those who are able to consider a voluntary donation of £25 or more.

Donations are entirely optional and do not affect your registration. If you are eligible, please remember to Gift Aid your donation to help maximise its value at no extra cost to you.

Whether or not you choose to donate, your attendance and participation are valued and appreciated.

Thank You for Registering

Thank you for registering for the International Head & Neck Cancer Conference 2026. Your participation helps strengthen a collaborative, inclusive community committed to improving care, research, and lived experience in head & neck cancer.

We look forward to welcoming you to Blackpool in November 2026.

Follow Us on Social Media

Twitter: @H_and_Ncancer
Facebook: @HNCCONF2026
#HNCCONF2026

Location

The Imperial Hotel
North Park Drive, , Blackpool, Lancashire FY3 8NR

Contact Event Organiser