SALTEX 2015’s New Date And
Venue Gets Industry Approval
The Sports, Amenities, Landscaping
Visitors can attend any of the 47
Trade Exhibition’s (SALTEX) move from an
educational seminars on the show floor,
outdoor environment into the halls of the
hosted by partner associations and
NEC Birmingham on the 4 and 5 November
industry experts, within the two-day
2015 has been met with tremendous
LEARNING LIVE programme – many of
support from both exhibitors and visitors
which has CPD points connected to them.
alike. A packed exhibitor list containing
The seminar theatre next to the IOG Hub
some of the industry’s biggest names
will feature sports turf management
al ong with confirmation of new exciting
panel debates with high-profile industry
features, has ensured that this year’s
professionals taking centre stage. Two
exhibition is set to be the biggest and best
further theatres will feature dedicated
SALTEX to date.
seminars relevant to those working in the
The new, centrally located, national
exhibition venue and the more convenient
school, play, amenity, parks, arboriculture
and forestry environments.
working at the Africa Cup of Nations 2015.
For young people looking to advance
their career in the groundscare industry, a
half-day Young Groundsmen’s Conference,
sponsored by Rigby Taylor/Top Green
and organised by the IOG’s Young Board
of Directors, will offer information on
educational opportunities, a guide to what
some of the top grounds managers are
looking for in a young recruit, and a day
in the life of the 2014 Young Sports Turf
Student of the Year.
Hosted on the evening of the first day (4
November), the IOG Industry Awards at
time of year has attracted more than 200
Other professional bodies supporting the
exhibitors representing forestry, play,
show and contributing to the LEARNING
groundscare machinery, artificial surfaces,
LIVE programme include: The Agricultural
natural turf, landscaping products, pest
Engineers Association (AEA), The British
control, line marking, waste management,
and International Golf Greenkeepers’
sports equipment, litter and landfill and
Association (BIGGA), The Amenity Forum,
engine fuels. In fact, show organisers had
The Institute for Occupational Health, and
to extend the show footprint by adding an
Safety (IOSH), British Agricultural & Garden
extra hall to accommodate the increased
Machinery Association (BAGMA) and the
Mark Saggers, journalist and radio
interest.
Sports and Play Construction Association
presenter on talkSPORT will host the
(SAPCA). The Chartered Institute of
‘Gaining Ground’ turf management
Horticulture (IOH) will also host its annual
debates. The former Sky News and BBC
conference at SALTEX.
sports correspondent is a regular IOG
Visitors from across the UK and abroad say
that the new venue, and new date are key
reasons behind their decisions to preregister for the FREE to attend event. The
From an international perspective the
NEC has well connected transport links to
LEARNING LIVE programme will feature an
the rest of the country – with more than
in-depth look at the Forsyth Barr Stadium
75 per cent of the UK’s population situated
in New Zealand - the world’s only natural
within just three hours from the venue.
turf playing surface under a permanently
Plus visitors who decide to travel by Virgin
fixed roof - by the STRI’s Dr Richard Gibbs.
Rail can receive 25 per cent discount on
Phil Sharples, currently the director of
their ticket fare.
pitches for Gabala FC in Azerbaijan, will
The new look SALTEX, which also marks
the 70th anniversary of the show, will
feature a comprehensive programme of
FREE educational seminars and will, for the
first time, combine with the Institute of
Groundsmanship’s (IOG) annual Industry
Awards dinner.
50 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 15
focus on some of the challenges he has
faced while working overseas. Bertrand
Picard from Natural Grass will offer a
French perspective on turfcare, while
Ian Craig, regional agronomist for STRI,
will relay the bizarre turf management
experiences he encountered while
the Hilton Metropole is set to be the UK’s
biggest celebration in groundsmanship;
with 19 awards up for grabs, Alistair
McGowan providing the after dinner
entertainment and talkSPORT’s Mark
Saggers hosting the event. Visit www.
iogawards.com to book your place.
conference and awards host and visitors
to SALTEX 2015 will be pleased to him
reprising his role. The Gaining Ground
theatre will be of particular interest to
those with interests in fine turf and a
variety of sports surfaces. Visitors to this
theatre will be able to choose from a range
of informative seminar sessions presented
by some of the industry’s national and
international experts including Mark
Pover - national facilities manager at
the FA, Lee Jackson – head groundsman
at Manchester City, Chris Wood - pitch
consultant for the ECB and Simon Winman
- head of club development at Rugby
Football Union.