Bradley Tennant of International Greenkeepers for Hire recently attended SALTEX 2024, the UK’s leading event for the grounds management sector. Held at the NEC Birmingham, the two-day exhibition consistently attracts a diverse global audience, with insightful talks, demonstrations, and networking opportunities. Here, Bradley shares his experience as his fifth or sixth time (as an estimate!) at the event.
I can always count on events like SALTEX to offer a fantastic opportunity to network with others in the industry. I had the chance to reconnect with sponsors like Howardson Group and Kersten and catch up with companies including SIS Pitches, Fleet Line Markers, and Turf Coach. I also chatted with a few familiar faces, including my former apprentice Harvey Milne, Jonathan Brown from my Belfry days, and Ikumi Murai, who moved to the UK from Japan to work at Arsenal Football Club with the help of IGFH.
The revamped demo zone added an engaging element to this year’s event. I love it when brands get creative with their product displays, and something that stood out this year was a practical challenge featuring a Kress leaf blower, where participants were tasked with manoeuvring a ball through a mounted puzzle for a chance to win nearly £3,000 worth of Kress products. There were also line-marking demonstrations on artificial turf sections.
The Learning LIVE programme was back again this year, addressing current and future trends in the industry. I attended talks that focused on technological advancements and sustainable practices in groundskeeping including one presented by Sean from Kersten, which explored sustainable approaches to weed, pest, and disease management.
In the evening, I attended the “SALTEX After Hours” networking session for GMA members, which offered a relaxed environment to catch up with other professionals and exchange ideas over pizza, chips, and a free drink or two.
As always, SALTEX 2024 delivered a fantastic programme of demonstrations and talks, with invaluable opportunities for networking. The revenue generated from the event is reinvested directly into the grounds management industry, so when you get involved, you know you’re contributing to advancements in the industry For me and countless others, SALTEX remains an unmissable event on the grounds management calendar.
