Uniting The Industry, Powering Progress

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 show, taking place from 30th to 31st October at the NEC Birmingham, marks another significant milestone in the grounds care industry. The show will bring together leading grounds professionals, volunteers, and exhibitors from around the world, making it the most internationally diverse event to date.

Exhibitors from 14 countries, including Canada, India, Japan, Pakistan, and the United States, will showcase their latest innovations. Industry leaders such as EGO (Germany), Hilltip (Finland), SGL (Netherlands), EGHOLM (Denmark), and The Aquatrols Company (United States) are among the 23 international exhibitors displaying cutting-edge products.

With over 700 square meters of exhibition space dedicated to international representation, SALTEX serves as a global platform for the latest advancements in grounds care. Visitors from countries such as Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Nepal, and Iceland have already registered, further extending the event's global reach.

Featuring over 400 brands and thousands of visitors expected, SALTEX 2024 promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

The Clubhouse has undergone an impressive revamp, introducing a brand-new bar area with stylish wooden slats designed to offer a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. Alongside this, SALTEX has curated an agenda within The Clubhouse to foster networking and collaboration across the different sectors. This year, the aim is to unite the industry and power progress by creating opportunities for attendees to share ideas, tips, and insights, driving forward collective growth and innovation. Visitors will also benefit from the Trophy Room, a space available for private meet-ups or team meetings providing a dedicated environment for focused discussions and networking.

This year’s theme centres around how SALTEX enables the industry to continually progress by bringing people together from around the world, helping drive innovation, education, and networking. The exhibition will feature cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art equipment to help professionals maintain and improve sports amenities, parks, and public spaces. After a year of remarkable growth in the industry, SALTEX 2024 will welcome back industry giants such as Kubota, Toro, and ISEKI UK & Ireland, reaffirming their support for the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) vision of excellence in grounds management.

Visitors will have a unique opportunity to network and share experiences, and this year’s exhibition promises even more exciting developments. The GMA Hub will provide vital information, including advisory drop-in sessions with experienced pitch advisors, offering personalised advice on the challenges and opportunities that professionals face in their daily operations. There will also be engagement with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) like the Football Association, Football Foundation, England and Wales Cricket Board, Rugby Football Union, and Rugby Football League.

And following its triumphant debut in 2023, the Community Sports Zone is back, dedicated to the unsung heroes of community and volunteer sports grounds. This year, the zone promises to be the place to be for all things turf maintenance for grassroots and community sports clubs. With more space, more machinery, and its very own Learning LIVE stage, the zone will host ten engaging sessions across two days. Topics include Essential Planning for Pitch Improvement Projects and Quality Surfaces on a Shoestring Budget. The machinery on display, from brands like ISEKI, Dennis and SISIS, Campey Turf Care Systems, and Trimax Mowing Systems, will offer practical solutions for clubs with limited resources.

SALTEX is also renowned for its exceptional professional development opportunities through its industry-leading Learning LIVE programme. Over 20 pioneers, technical specialists, and experts will speak across three stages, including the brand-new Community Sports Stage, making it the largest free live learning event in the sector. The Learning LIVE programme will cover hot topics and issues, offering attendees the opportunity to gain CPD points and engage in big conversations with experts like UEFA’s Stadium Operations and Pitch Expert Lee Guerriero.

Several exhibitors will debut exclusive product launches at SALTEX 2024, giving visitors the first glance of some of the latest technologies. KAR UK will introduce Hunter Industries' Wireless Valve Link, an innovative system revolutionising irrigation control with unmatched flexibility and efficiency. Kersten will unveil the Zasso ZAP Weeder, the world’s first battery-powered electric walk-in device, designed for eco-friendly weed management. Major Equipment Ltd will showcase its upgraded TDR Rotary Mower, a professional tractor-powered groundcare mower designed for parklands, sports pitches, and semi-rough golf course grass.

This year’s event also marks the retirement of Derek Walder, fondly known as ‘Mr SALTEX,’ after 42 years as Operations Manager. Derek’s career, which spans over six decades, saw him begin as a gardener and rise to Grounds Manager for a major sports field complex in Southwest London. His dedication to the industry has been widely recognised, earning him a British Empire Medal and the GMA Lifetime Achievement Award. SALTEX 2024 will be a special opportunity to celebrate Derek’s contributions to the industry and the exhibition.

As a not-for-profit organisation, the GMA reinvests revenue generated from its annual exhibition back into the grounds management industry. Thanks to the success of SALTEX 2023, the GMA has been able to subsidise approximately 67% of its membership base, supporting those at the heart of grounds management. In addition to membership support, the revenue has also funded 1,900 GMA training courses, both in-person and online, further advancing the skills and knowledge of professionals across the industry.

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 30th and 31st October 2024.
For more information and to register, visit www.saltex.org.uk