MAIN STAGE SHOWCASE

Posted on October 25, 2023

MAIN STAGE SHOWCASE

SALTEX WILL HOST hundreds of brands showcasing products in halls 6, 7 and 8, over two days.

Now in its eighth decade, SALTEX, at Birmingham’s NEC on November 1 and 2, remains Europe’s largest free sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition. With hundreds of brands showcasing products in halls 6, 7 and 8, across two days, SALTEX is a must-attend event for everybody operating in, or supplying to, the grounds care sector.

The 2023 gathering provides a great opportunity to meet industry colleagues and make new connections – building networks, knowledge and learning about new innovations. The event is organised by the Grounds Management Association, the leading not-for-profit membership organisation representing grounds managers, grounds personnel, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports turf, pitches, landscape, and amenity facilities in the UK.

SALTEX is known for the quality, range and breadth of professional development opportunities it provides through its industry-leading, established Learning LIVE programme. This year, over 20 presenters will speak across three stages in two days. It is the largest free live learning event for the sector with many visitors citing it as a key reason to attend the show.

SALTEX PROVIDES A PLATFORM to build networks, knowledge and learning.

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the GMA, says: “Learning LIVE is a well-respected, highly anticipated highlight at SALTEX, known to be a fantastic way to boost knowledge in a wide range of topics. Here we provide a snapshot of some of the headline speakers and sessions available. It’s exciting and there is so much more to come!”

This year, the main stage will continue as it always has done to highlight the latest hot topics and issues, bringing visitors into the big conversations of the moment. Day one of the show sees Lee Guerriero, pitch and technology specialist at UEFA, discuss UEFA’s 2024- 2027 pitch strategy and on day two Tony Hanson and his fellow panellists from the Environment Agency and Anglian Water will cover future water restrictions for golf greens and sports turf.

Lee Guerriero explains: “Attending events like SALTEX is important to maintain an understanding of the latest developments in a rapidly evolving industry. With challenges facing grounds keepers as a result of heavy fixture schedules, climate change and the need to work in a sustainable way, it is important that all stakeholders from grassroots sports to the elite game come to events such as SALTEX.

“The Learning LIVE sessions in particular allow for an exchange of best practice and an open dialogue across sports so that the quality of the pitches continues to improve as expectation levels and demands around pitch quality also continue to grow.” New for 2023 are themed stages and reflecting the need to place sustainability and environmental issues at the heart of the grounds maintenance sector’s thinking, the Eco Stage will do just that.

SALTEX is proud to introduce Dr Eric O’Donnell from SportsLabs to talk about recycling solutions for synthetic turf and a session from the Football Foundation on its pilot on the future of sustainable synthetic turf The Spotlight Stage brings to the fore the crowd-pullers into an ask the experts-style forum. Dr John Dempsey will bring his insights to the 2020- 2023 independent turfgrass research update and non-pesticidal disease management sessions, while Aled Lewis will highlight Welsh FA’s Pitch Improvement Funding Strategy.

Dr John Dempsey, independent turfgrass research, says: “The reason I like to present at events such as SALTEX is that I love sharing the results of not only my research but also the latest data available on relevant turfgrass subjects and it gives me the opportunity to meet many turfgrass professionals.

SALTEX TAKES PLACE at Brimingham’s NEC on November 1 and 2.

“Hopefully attendees will find the presentations of value and take away something that will be able to incorporate into their maintenance programs be it golf, football or playing fields.” Sarah continues: “We have curated what we believe to be a well-rounded, industry representative programme of CPD-accredited seminars, which we will be able to share in full with visitors in due course.”

Register now to boost your knowledge and guarantee entry to Europe’s largest and leading sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition at www.saltex.org.uk

SALTEX IS KNOWN FOR THE QUALITY, range and breadth of professional development opportunities.

SHOW BUSINESS

Posted on August 1, 2023

SHOW BUSINESS

Events present a wealth of business ideas to help with your forward planning...

TAKE AN AWAY DAY to shows like SALTEX to boost your location business planning.

As hard as it is to tear yourself away from day-to-day operations, an away day to attend a focused trade event can help with vital forward planning. Taking a step back from those daily duties can clear your mind and give you a fresh perspective on honing that vital business plan for short, medium, as well as long term investment and development.

A timely bit of trade show pre-planning should enable you to set some visit objectives while still remembering to keep open to new ideas. Check out the exhibitor floor plan, print off a copy and mark your target contacts before you set off while planning your best routes around the venue.

Don’t forget to check out the odd seminar or two to take the weight off your feet and absorb ideas and inspiration on your key topics. Pre-registration is a must for a smooth arrival while planning travel times to avoid the rush hour travel – sometimes worth taking time out for a break and staying on longer.

You can put yourself in the fast lane by pre-booking some meetings with exhibitors – but don’t forget to check out their competitors to ensure you are partnering with the best value suppliers. So pack up those business cards, chose your most comfortable shoes, as we recommend three shows to add to your diary in the coming months.

Show Season Gets Underway

Posted on October 3, 2016

Show Season Gets Underway

A busy line-up of trade shows and exhibitions awaits the holiday parks industry this autumn. Spanning all aspects of park life, from lodges and caravans to outdoor play and even hot tubs, there are a number of dates for your diary throughout September and October. Here we bring you a shortlist of the must-attend industry shows and event and we reveal what you can expect at each one...

2016 CARAVAN EXTRAVAGANZA WEEKEND

September 3 & 4, 9am – 5pm
The Lawns, East Yorkshire HU16 5SQ
The annual Caravan Extravaganza Weekend at The Lawns in Cottingham, run by the Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Caravan Manufacturers’ Association (HERCMA), is one of Britain’s biggest caravan exhibitions in the UK and is the first place where members of the public can view the new season’s models. More than 22,000 visitors from all across the UK are expected to attend the two-day event in the University of Hull’s grounds. In addition to more than 140 touring caravans, 160 caravan holiday homes, lodges and park homes, close to 50 other companies will display products and feature services ranging from awnings to decking, verandahs and motor movers.
www.lawnsandbeaulieushows.com

LANDSCAPE 2016

September 13 & 14, 10am – 5pm
Battersea Park, London
Landscape 2016 is the only trade event dedicated to qualified landscape designers and contractors, architects, local authority landscaping professionals, facilities managers and interior designers from all over the UK and beyond. It is a platform for them to network and source market leading products to use in high end projects worldwide. From country homes to city apartments, from urban lofts and public spaces to luxury hotels, the indoor-outdoor phenomenon affects all types of living spaces. With weather proof rugs, outdoor kitchens, showers on the terrace and sofas in the garden, the indoor spirit is flowing through outdoor spaces and creating a new focus for architecture and technology. Landscape is delighted to host an entirely free seminar programme of international standing with some of the most prestigious names in the industry featuring over 70 different speakers.

www.landscapeshow.co.uk

LEISURE INDUSTRY WEEK

September 20 & 21, 9am – 5pm

NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT

There will be a strong play element at Leisure Industry Week (LIW) this year, with a dedicated education stream, an outdoor play showcase area and partnerships with the likes of Fit for Sport, Interfun and Attractions Management. Organisers have promised a strong focus on education, offering practical insights into how play businesses can boost commercial performance. Delegates can attend seminars on branding, market diversification, safeguarding and training needs, as well as discussing the importance of play to all ages. Play operators will leave LIW with knowledge that will ultimately help to increase revenue and drive down costs.

www.liw.co.uk

HOLIDAY CARAVAN 2016

September 23 – 25, 10am – 5pm Hides Field,

Beaulieu, Hampshire SO42 7ZN

Every year, the Beaulieu estate in the New Forest plays host to the largest display of brand new caravan holidayhomes, lodges and park homes in
the south of England. As well as the wide selection of caravans, there will be numerous other exhibitors featuring associated products and services, ranging from decking and soft furnishings to finance and insurance. Many holiday and residential parks will have stands, both within manufacturer displays and the central area, along with leading distributors of
holiday homes.
www.lawnsandbeaulieushows.com

HOT TUB LIVING EXPO

October 24 & 25, 10am – 5pm

NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT
Making your holiday park or facility stand out from the crowd can be easy when you can add additional features such as hot tubs, saunas, swimming pools and other outdoor living products.
Hot Tub Living Expo 2016 is the best place for you to meet with quality companies and distributors and benefit from trade deals and offers. With an exclusive VIP evening on 23rd this event will allow you to find new products to improve your facility. Additionally there will be experts on hand to offer advice on how to maintain and run your new additions in the most cost effective and economical way.
www.hottublivingexpo.com

UK POOL & SPA AWARDS

October 24, 7pm until late
The Vox, Resorts World, Birmingham, B40 1PU Ticket price £50 +VAT (Includes arrival drinks, dinner and entertainment).
The independent UK Pool & Spa Awards showcase the very best of the companies involved in the provision of water leisure in Great Britain. A highlight of the awards is the presentation of the Holiday Park Pool of the Year Award – a hotly contested category, which celebrates the outstanding facilities at parks across the country. The prize-giving event will begin with a business networking style drinks reception, followed by a two course buffet dinner and entertainment. Tickets for the business networking style prize-giving event are now available to book online. With limited seats available, early booking is advised.

www.ukpoolandspaawards.co.uk

SALTEX 2016

November 2 & 3, 9am – 5pm
NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT
With three large halls containing many of the major players from across the industry, SALTEX 2016 is the ideal place to see products and services which could improve the daily operations of holiday parks. The exhibition will see a plethora of exhibitors representing the likes of play equipment and services, turf maintenance equipment, fencing and landscaping, sports surface design, research and consultancy, seeds, turf, aggregates and treatments, and facilities services management. Visitors can also expect to see new products being unveiled, new unique services and some exciting guest appearances on the exhibitor stands.
www.iogsaltex.com

Best In Show

Posted on August 29, 2014

Best In Show

Up to 7,000 leisure professionals from across the country are expected to visit LIW at the Birmingham NEC.

Autumn is shaping up to be a busy season for the holiday park industry, with not one but three not-to-be-missed trade shows in the pipeline.

The popular Leisure Industry Week (LIW) will return to Birmingham’s NEC and this year it promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

Up to 7,000 leisure industry professionals are expected to visit the three day show from 30th September to 2nd October, spanning across six core sectors including Pool & Spa, Play, Health & Fitness, Eat & Drink, Leisure Facilities and Sport.

New for this year is the hotly anticipated Pool & Spa Advice Clinic, providing a comprehensive swimming pool and spa information centre at stand W440. Representatives from four of the industry’s leading pool and spa companies will be on hand to offer advice on all aspects of design, installation and maintenance. From planning a new pool to refurbishing an old one, or deciding which wellness options will generate the most revenue, the panel of industry experts have got it covered.

The Landscape show features contemporary, cutting edge technologies and methods, and is supported by a comprehensive free seminar programme.

CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Next up is the well-established Landscape show, which focuses on the design, build and maintenance of indoor and outdoor landscaping projects.

Visitors to the show at Battersea Park will have the opportunity to view cutting edge products and technologies geared towards improving their property, including hot tubs, paving options, specimen trees and planting, containers and decking. The Holiday Park Scene team will also be in attendance on stand A37 – stop by to pick up your free copy of the magazine and discuss how you can get involved in future issues.

The show will be open to the public from 10am – 6pm on Tuesday 23rd September, and 10am – 5pm on Wednesday 24th September. Tickets are free of charge and available by registering on the website.

RANGE OF BUSINESS IDEAS

If you’re looking for new ideas for your camping or caravanning business, be sure to visit the Farm Business Innovation exhibition and conference when it returns to Olympia London on 27th-28th November.

Don’t let the name fool you – you don’t need to be a farmer to benefit from a day at the show. The combination of suppliers, seminars and workshops covers a range of ideas that any forward-thinking camping or caravanning business owner will find invaluable in maximising the revenue potential of their business.

The schedule of seminar and workshop topics includes tourism, glamping, retail and marketing, with expert advice on how to identify the opportunities that are right for your business.

Holiday Park Scene Magazine