With SALTEX just weeks away, the industry is preparing for the biggest event of the year which will be held at the NEC Birmingham on 4 and 5 November.
Here we take a look at exactly why you should register for FREE to SALTEX if you haven’t already…
Over 250 exhibitors from every sector of the industry
With three large halls containing many of the major players from across the industry, SALTEX 2015 is the only exhibition of its kind to provide an all-encompassing experience for a diverse range of grounds management sectors.
The exhibition will see over 250 exhibitors representing various sectors including forestry, play, groundscare machinery, artificial surfaces, natural turf, landscaping products, pest control, line marking, waste management, sports equipment and many, many more.
Visitors can also expect to see new products being unveiled, new unique services and some exciting guest appearances on the exhibitor stands.
For the full list of SALTEX 2015 exhibitors visit www.iogsaltex.com
Education opportunities with LEARNING LIVE
There will be a number of education opportunities at this year’s SALTEX through LEARNING LIVE - an all-encompassing education programme designed for all sectors of the industry. The LEARNING LIVE programme is set to be five times bigger than the education offered at previous SALTEX exhibitions with 49 seminars now confirmed. The seminars will take place in three dedicated theatres on the show floor as well as the Young Groundsman’s Conference, which will be held in Gallery Suites opposite the main entrance.
The IOG Gaining Ground theatre, hosted by journalist and talkSPORT radio presenter Mark Saggers, features a number of industry experts such as ECB pitch advisor Chris Wood; Carol Doran, Rugby Football League; Simon Winman, Rugby Football Union; Keith Kent, Twickenham and the Manchester City FC grounds staff.
Park keepers, rangers, contractors, gardeners, horticulturalists, plus groundsmen who have responsibility for the upkeep of play equipment, will benefit from attending seminar sessions in the Parks Play and People theatre.
Sessions within the Technically Turf & New Product Pitches theatre, will provide visitors with invaluable technical advice on a number of various subjects such as irrigation control, fertiliser plans, growth requirements and soil tests. In addition, The PITCH sessions will showcase SALTEX exhibitors’ products and services or new product launches in an exciting quick-fire approach.
The Rigby Taylor and Top Green-sponsored Young Groundsmen’s Conference, in Gallery Suites 17 and 18 next to the SALTEX halls, has been organised by the Institute of Groundsmanship's Young Board of Directors and will offer a fantastic opportunity for those looking to develop a rewarding career in groundsmanship. Experts participating in the Young Groundsmen’s Conference include Neil Stubley from Wimbledon, Alan Ferguson from St George's Park and Tony Stones from Wembley Stadium.
Many of the LEARNING LIVE seminars have CPD points connected to them. No pre-booking is required - simply ensure that you arrive promptly to make sure you get a seat.
To view the full LEARNING LIVE programme visit www.iogsaltex.com
Ask the Expert
The IOG’s regional pitch advisors will be on hand throughout the event at the IOG Hub to offer free pitch care advice.
A great chance to see a number of the industry's professional bodies all under one roof
Many of the industry's professional bodies will be supporting SALTEX 2015 and have confirmed their presence at the exhibition.
The British and International Golf Greenkeepers' Association (BIGGA) and the Amenity Forum will join the Sport and Play Construction Association (SAPCA), the Arb Association, the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), the Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) and the Parks Alliance in supporting SALTEX 2015's LEARNING LIVE education programme.
Other professional bodies include: the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA), the Association of Play Industries (API), the Crop Protection Association (CPA) and the British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association (BAGMA) who will all have a stand on the show floor.
The Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) will also hold its annual conference entitled Leadership, Innovation and Growth, on the first day of SALTEX in nearby Gallery Suites 15 and 16.
SALTEX will be combined with the IOG’s prestigious annual Industry Awards
This year, for the first time ever, SALTEX will combine with the Institute of Groundsmanship’s (IOG) annual Industry Awards dinner.
Held on the evening of the first day (4 November) at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel the Awards are set to be the UK’s biggest celebration in groundsmanship; with 19 up for grabs. Alistair McGowan, the renowned impressionist, stand-up comic, actor and writer, will be entertaining the hundreds of groundscare experts and sports industry dignitaries attending.
To book your place at this prestigious event or to find out more please visit www.iogawards.com or contact the IOG at events@iog.org.
A number of fantastic ways to unwind and continue networking after a great day at SALTEX 2015
With star-filled theatres and comedy clubs, stylish bars, great restaurants and the hottest nightspots, Birmingham is a vibrant city offering a great opportunity to let your hair down or continue networking after a day at SALTEX.
Resorts World, a new integrated leisure and entertainment complex, is also just a stone’s throw away from the NEC. Facilities include an outlet shopping centre, a wide range of internationally-themed restaurants and bars an 11-screen cinema and a casino for those who feel lucky.
Getting to SALTEX has never been easier
Located in the centre of the UK, whether you are travelling from overseas or within the UK, the NEC is easy to get to by car, rail or air.
The NEC is at the hub of the UK motorway network. Visitors from any direction can travel to the NEC site directly using the following motorways - M1, M5, M6, M6 Toll, M40 and M42. Please note that a parking voucher (reducing the parking charge to £5) is available to all IOG members.
If you wish to travel by rail, you can get a great 25% discount travelling to the NEC with Virgin Trains. Birmingham International rail station is located right next to the NEC, in fact you can reach the hall without even having to step outside. The NEC entrance is on the right hand side as you exit the station. It’s only 1 hour 10 minutes from London Euston and 1 hour 46 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly!
The NEC is just minutes from Birmingham International Airport if you are planning on flying in to SALTEX. Once you've landed you can either walk and follow signs to the SkyRail Link, which is free and has a travel time of 90 seconds, or get a taxi which you will be able to find outside of the passenger terminals.
Affordable accommodation
Birmingham has a vast array of hotels to suit all budgets. Zibrant has been appointed as the official accommodation agent for SALTEX 2015. As a result, discounted rates have been secured at a number of hotels in and around the NEC Birmingham.
To view all accommodation and find out how to claim your discounted rail tickets and car parking charge please visit www.iogsaltex.com
Come and celebrate SALTEX’s 70th anniversary
Visitor registration to SALTEX 2015 is free. To confirm your attendance visit www.iogsaltex.com
Follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/IOGSALTEX
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