The highlight of the EWI industry calendar is undoubtedly the annual INCA Awards ceremony which celebrates External Wall Insulation at its best. Nominations are spread over various categories with each submission being rigorously scored by a panel of fully independent industry expert judges.

Following the hugely successful event in Leeds in 2025 we’re moving across the M62 to the vibrant city of Manchester in 2026. Once again, we’ve taken on board your feedback and plan to make a few changes this year in an effort to make it even more memorable and to make it a little easier to enter too! For your comfort, we are limiting capacity to around 320 guests so we strongly suggest booking early to avoid disappointment.

The event commences at 6.45pm with pre-dinner drinks and the formal ceremony starts promptly at 7.55pm. Once again we are looking to raise money at the event for our chosen charity CRASH. Dress code: black tie / formal eveningwear.

In 2026 we’re taking the INCA Awards to the next level by moving to the grade II listed Midland Hotel in the very heart of Manchester – one of the top awards venues outside of London and one of Manchester’s most-loved icons, located just minutes from Oxford Road and Piccadilly stations.

The Midland Hotel in Manchester has been a much-loved part of this magnificent city’s life for almost 120 years. Step into its timeless elegance and experience award-winning restaurants and an idyllic urban spa.

First opened in 1903, The Midland Hotel has been delighting guests from the very beginning. It was originally built to serve rail travellers from London, our stunning building and ballroom charmed visitors day in and day out, and while our appearance has changed over the years, our outstanding service remains the very same.

“Over the years we’ve hosted everyone from rock stars and politicians to royalty, and our history has taught us one simple thing: every guest is unique, and so their stay must be too. It’s this belief that drives our team to make your stay perfect.”

We are delighted to announce that the host of the 2026 INCA Awards will be none other than the recognisable comedian, writer and actor Hal Cruttenden. 

Hal Cruttenden is one of the top stand up comedians working in the UK today, as well as being a highly accomplished writer and actor.

He has made several appearances on ‘Live at the Apollo’, ‘Have I Got News For You’ and ‘The Royal Variety Performance’ as well as regular appearances on shows such as ‘Mock the Week’, ‘The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice’ and ‘The Apprentice: You’re Fired’.

He’s written and starred in his own sitcom, ‘Hal’ on Radio 4 (co-written with Dominic Holland), has completed six nationwide tours and, having originally trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, has an extensive acting career spanning across TV, stage and big screen.

Read Hals full biography.

Below you’ll find details of prices and how to book your places at the 2026 INCA Awards ceremony. As usual we have three options – a premium table of 10, a standard table of 10 or individual tickets.

You can find out more about the different options here or click the links below to go straight to the booking form.

We have a number of different sponsorship packages available on a first come first served basis. There’s something for every budget (from just £210 +VAT) including:

• Full Page Brochure Advert – print copy and online
• 1/2 Page Brochure Advert – print copy and online
• Award Category Sponsorship
• Event Program
• Charity Sponsorship

Your company details will feature at the ceremony itself and in all award related literature and promotions – print, web and social media.

This year we have reorganised the award categories to make it easier to enter but without narrowing down the entry criteria. We will be judging against 10 project categories but entry is a little clearer this year – you will only need to decide if your project is residential or non-residential, and whether it’s low rise (below 11m), mid rise (11m-18m) high rise (above 18m) or if it’s a small project of below 300sqM.

Please use your judgement as to which category to enter – but don’t worry, we will allocate it if you are not sure which one to enter.

Projects of all sizes and finishes are welcome and will be judged fairly against similar projects (INCA reserve the right to amend categories to ensure judging is fair in this respect).

From the entries the judging panels will then also decide on a Retrofit Project of the Year and a New Build Project of the Year. The entry categories are listed below:

Please note that following on from the awards each non residential project entry will be published as a case study with link to your website and promoted nationally via INCA social media channels so even if you don’t win you do!

Please note that following on from the awards each residential project entry will be published as a case study with link to your website and promoted nationally via INCA social media channels so even if you don’t win you do!

Please note, INCA reserve the right to amend the categories in order that projects may be judged against each other fairly and on a like for like basis. To find out about the INCA Awards 2026 project categories in greater detail and to submit your entries please visit the INCA Awards 2026 – Project Categories And Enter page.

Our non-project awards categories are currently under review – we may be introducing additional categories in due course but for now you are able to nominate and vote in the following:

To find out more about the INCA Awards 2026 non-project categories, to submit your entry or nomination and to vote or rate your winners please visit the INCA Awards – nominate and vote page.