Education to play major role at SALTEX 2015
With a new venue, a more convenient date and an exhibitor list containing the industry’s biggest names, SALTEX 2015 is already promising to be the must-attend event of the year. Now the exhibition is set to be even better with the announcement of an enhanced, all-encompassing and free to attend education programme called LEARNING LIVE.
This programme is set to cater for all sectors of the groundscare industry and will offer a more extensive information-sharing experience than that offered at previous Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) conferences. A packed timetable will see three dedicated seminar theatres, featuring programmes running from 10am through to 3.30pm each day of the show. With the full timetable set to be released soon, the IOG has provided a glimpse of what to expect.
The seminar theatre next to the IOG Hub on the show floor will feature sports turf management panel debates with high-profile industry professionals taking centre stage. SALTEX visitors will be able to learn from those tasked with preparing the pitches for some of the world’s major international sports events such as this year’s Ashes and the Rugby World Cup. While visitors with interests in fine turf and a variety of sports surfaces will be able to choose from a range of informative seminar sessions presented by some of the industry’s national and international experts.
Two further theatres will feature dedicated seminars relevant to those working in the school, play, amenity, parks, arboriculture and forestry environments. The Parks Alliance will give an update on the state and future of the nation’s parks and green spaces, while other sessions will include an update on industry groundscare regulations, a question and answer session on pests and diseases while the inspection and safety standards in the play industry will be explored.
For young people looking to advance their career in the groundscare industry, the Rigby Taylor/Top Green Young Groundsmen’s Conference, 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.
Pete Hussey, manager of Stanley Park Sports Ground, Chippenham Council, recognises the importance of an extensive education programme at the national groundscare industry exhibition and is particularly pleased with the vast range of people the programme has been designed for.
“Offering SALTEX visitors the opportunity to learn while visiting the event is a real bonus,” he says. “It looks as if there will be something for everyone - particularly from a public sector point of view. It’s good to better understand what the groundsmen at elite facilities do on daily basis but as these seminars cater for all - the sessions offer a true reflection of what people can achieve with or without limited budgets.”
Rob Bradshaw, head groundsman at One Leisure sports centre in St Ives, passes his knowledge onto local volunteer workers on a weekly basis through various seminars and knows first-hand just how important education is to the future of the industry.
“It’s great that the IOG are paying a lot of attention to the education provision at SALTEX this year. The NEC, being at the centre of England, will give visitors from all over the country an opportunity to learn from both the event exhibitors and industry experts at these sessions. Education is the key and I’m sure that a lot of people will have a greater understanding of their work after they have spoken to the right people at SALTEX,” he said.
SALTEX 2015’s new website is now live and visitor registrations are open. To confirm your attendance on 4/5 November 2015 visit www.iogsaltex.com
For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/IOGSALTEX
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