SALTEX, Geared Around The Football Sector

November 2nd-3rd, 2022 - Birmingham NEC

In 1946, the year that football returned to a full programme of fixtures after the second World War, SALTEX launched to serve those working in the industry preparing the grounds. Since then, the Grounds Management Association (GMA), who organise the show, has had grounds people in the football sector front and foremost in many of its key decisions.

Here we speak to Geoff Webb, the GMA’s CEO, about what the show is today and why attending should be factored into every grounds person’s calendar.

“When making the move away from being an outdoor summer show in Windsor to being an indoor show at the Birmingham NEC in November, we considered the schedules of those working in the football industry. Winter makes SALTEX a much more easily accessible event for those in football: renovation work is complete, and the season is well underway meaning there’s more flexibility to register for that all-important day – or days! – at the show.

The central location and great transport links make the event far more accessible to people travelling from anywhere in the UK, and we even attract visitors from overseas. By speaking to those in the industry, we knew that being an indoor event wasn’t going to put people off – in fact, our extensive market research showed us that grounds staff prefer to view what’s available at SALTEX and then arrange to demo what could benefit their business back at their home grounds.

It’s important we move with the times and respond to what our visitors want, and we know with authority that these days the purchasing process isn’t led by demos at shows, it’s by trialling what appeals, checking it’s fit for purpose, in-situ, in real time on your own training pitches and stadium grounds.

As the football industry has drawn the crowds over the last 76 years, so too has SALTEX.

It’s an event grounds people have always made the time to attend. We know from visitor and exhibitor feedback surveys that the networking opportunities are a massive draw and never more so than in the post-pandemic landscape. Our 2021 survey data shows that almost half (46%) of those attending, do so for the networking opportunities, while over two-thirds (68%) said they attend to source new products, services, and suppliers. And with 83% rating the show as Good, Very Good or Excellent, SALTEX didn’t disappoint.

The grounds sector and in particular football sector is a people industry and SALTEX is where we find you go to meet industry colleagues and make new connections; building networks, knowledge and learning about new innovations. And with over 400 brands showcasing in three halls, across two days, in one place, it’s easy to see why the football sector continues to return to SALTEX year after year.

We know everyone is busy and that’s why we make SALTEX worth everyone’s while to attend. We’ve got links with the Football Foundation and every year we line up the relevant funding bodies from the sporting world to share the impact of funding in your industry. We’ve got working arrangements with BASIS too, who at this year’s show will be presenting the latest information on this year’s hot topic – sustainability – in a sporting context.

For the younger generation, my advice would be simple – come with work colleagues, use it as valuable opportunity to connect with our Young Board of Directors who have their fingers on the pulse of all the prevalent issues affecting your roles today, maximise the social opportunities, make it a reward for all the hard work.

There will be an extended Learning Live schedule – over 30 sessions – attacking the key issues – pay, career development, how to negotiate in the workplace and how to find out about the millions of pounds of grant funding available from sports clubs. Representation from the Amenity Forum will be bringing a Question Time debate, plus staff from the UK’s iconic sporting venues will be in attendance.

SALTEX put simply is a great opportunity to educate yourself and see what others are doing.

It brings you all the products and brands to make your working lives easier, introduces you to all the latest innovations and technologies and brings you the latest information on the key issues and trends. It’s the place to be.

For your free registration, click here or visit saltex.org.uk for more information.