SALTEX 2024 – Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress For The Grounds Care Industry

SALTEX, the Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition, is gearing up for its 78th edition, under the theme of “Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress.” This year’s event is set to take place from 30th to 31st October at the NEC Birmingham, marking another milestone in the grounds care industry.

The exhibition will bring together industry‑leading grounds professionals, volunteers, and exhibitors from across the globe, showcasing the latest innovations, trends, and practices in grounds management, landscaping, and environmental sustainability. With over 400 brands and thousands of visitors expected, SALTEX 2024 promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

This year’s theme is all about powering the industry; how SALTEX enables the industry to continually progress by bringing together people from all around the world and helping drive innovation, education, and networking. The exhibition will feature cutting‑edge technologies, sustainable solutions, and state‑of‑the‑art equipment that can help professionals maintain and improve sports amenities, parks, and public spaces.

After a year of remarkable growth and development within the industry, SALTEX 2024 will welcome back industry giants across three halls, including Kubota, Toro, and ISEKI UK & Ireland, all reaffirming their support for the GMA’s vision of excellence in grounds management. These leading companies will showcase their latest products and services, offering attendees the opportunity to see firsthand the advancements that are shaping the future of grounds management.

The show will, once again, attract thousands of visitors, reinforcing its status as the premier grounds management exhibition for sharing knowledge and driving industry growth. This influx of professionals provides a unique opportunity for networking, allowing attendees to share experiences and build relationships that can lead to future collaborations.

SALTEX is also set to welcome an exciting array of new exhibitors, such as Stogger Turf Care, Hayley Group, Ryobi and DEWALT, broadening the horizons of the grounds management industry. The addition of these new exhibitors highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of the industry, encouraging continuous improvement and adaptation.

As well as displaying the latest innovations in grounds management, SALTEX is renowned for its exceptional range of professional development opportunities, showcased through its industry‑leading Learning LIVE programme. This programme is designed to educate and inspire attendees, offering a wide range of sessions that cover various aspects of grounds management.

This year, over 20 industry pioneers, technical specialists, and experts will speak across three stages, including the brand‑new Community Sports Stage, over two days - making it the largest free live learning event in the sector. Many visitors cite Learning LIVE, which also offers the opportunity to gain CPD points, as a key reason for attending the show. The lineup of speakers and topics ensures that there is something for everyone, regardless of their specific area of interest or expertise.

The Learning LIVE schedule will feature discussions on the latest hot topics and issues, engaging visitors in the big conversations of the moment. We’ve got some fantastic guest speakers lined up including UEFA’s Stadium Operations and Pitch Expert Lee Guerriero, CEO of The Football Foundation Robert Sullivan, LABOSPORT Group’s Professor David James and Mark Ferguson, Agronomist at All England Lawn Tennis Club.

As a not‑for‑profit organisation, the Grounds Management Association (formerly the Institute of Groundsmanship) has continually re‑invested revenue generated from its annual exhibition back into the grounds management industry since its inauguration in 1938. Naturally, due to the success of the show year on year, that contribution continues to grow, further demonstrating how SALTEX continues to power progress in the industry. This reinvestment helps to ensure that the industry remains at the forefront of innovation and best practice.

Thanks to the success of SALTEX 2023, the GMA has been able to subsidise approximately 67% of its membership base, providing essential support to those at the heart of grounds management. With community and student memberships benefiting the most, this underscores the GMA’s commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring that the highest standards of grounds care are upheld across the industry. This support is vital for the development of the next generation of grounds professionals, helping to secure the future of the industry.

In addition to supporting membership, the revenue from SALTEX 2023 has helped to subsidise 1,900 GMA training courses for grounds professionals, both in person and online. The GMA’s unique suite of training courses and qualifications are instrumental in advancing the knowledge and skills of grounds professionals. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from basic grounds maintenance to advanced turf management, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 30th and 31st October 2024. For more information on SALTEX and to register for the event, please visit https://www.saltex.org.uk/.