The first NAFEMS European Conference on Simulation-Based Optimisationwas held at the Hilton Hotel at Manchester Airport in October 2016. The Optimisation Working Group had previously organised one-day seminars,such as that held at Gaydon in 2012, but this moved the format on to become aparallel-session event held over two days, with 36 presentations. The event was well-attended with delegates travelling from a number of European countries as well as receiving support from the US.