IGFH’s Bradley Tennant recently attended the first annual Turf Tech event, held at KRC Genk in Belgium. Here, he shares his experience of the event, including the best way to get there from the UK, what he thought about the talks and presentations, and whether he’d attend again.
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of attending Turf Tech KRC Genk, a new addition to the greenkeeping calendar that shows significant promise. Hosted at the home of KRC Genk in Belgium, this two-day event brought together industry professionals from across Europe to share knowledge and connect with one another in an impressive setting.
The event, held on November 12th and 13th 2024, combined live talks and presentations with practical demonstrations right on the KRC Genk pitch. Florian Mann, the event’s organizer, kept the event to a relatively smooth schedule (there were some growing pains, as to be expected with any brand-new event), and Eddy Van Endert of KRC Genk guided attendees as the event’s presenter.
I chose to drive to the event from the UK with Matt Gardner and Alfie Eaton from Reading Football Club, taking the Channel Tunnel rather than flying. I think this is the most convenient way to get to Belgium from the UK, as you don’t have to waste time waiting around in airports. Having a car was also helpful, although there are shuttle buses between the hotel and the venue if preferred.
The talks featured a mix of industry leaders, with some highlights including Raw Stadia, who delivered insights into data-driven pitch management, Campeys, who shared practical advice on machinery and techniques, and Covermaster, specialising in frost covers, who explained how to manage cold-weather challenges effectively.
Out on the pitch, the demonstrations provided hands-on learning opportunities. We were able to see the stadium’s lighting rigs in action and take a look at the machinery that’s used by the club.
A nice touch was the event’s hospitality. We were treated to complimentary lunches and dinners, a hotel stay, and an open bar during networking sessions. We had plenty of great opportunities to connect informally, something I always find the most valuable about attending events like these.
For a first-year event, Turf Tech KRC Genk was well attended, and there’s clearly lots of enthusiasm for learning and innovation in the industry. I’ve heard that there are plans already in motion for next year, and I think this event has the potential to become a staple for greenkeepers in Europe seeking practical knowledge and valuable connections.
Big thanks to Florian Mans and his team for creating such a well-rounded experience. Events like this strengthen the greenkeeping community and inspire us to raise the standard of our pitches. In what can be a fairly lonely job, making connections will always be of high importance. I’ll be keeping an eye on Turf Tech’s development and hope to see even more familiar faces there next year.
You can find Turf Tech on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/turftechsummit/
