When the 73rd annual SALTEX exhibition opens its doors at the NEC, Birmingham on 31 October and 1 November, visitors can look forward to a comprehensive product display spread over three large halls, gain expert information through the free-to-attend extensive education programme of CPD-accredited seminars and benefit from knowledge-gaining opportunities through other unique show features. The exhibition is the longest-standing event of its kind in the world, held almost every year since 1938. This year, over 300 exhibitors and some 9,000 visitors are expected to be in attendance and there is plenty on offer for those working in or involved in landscape design and management.
Inventions and innovation
New for 2018, SALTEX visitors can experience the latest groundscare ingenuity in a new area on the show floor dedicated to innovation and new concepts in grounds management. Key speakers will discuss and explore current groundscare trends such as cordless/environmentally friendly equipment, robotics, GPS control machinery, pesticide alternatives, pitch lighting, watering systems and monitoring systems. The Innovation Hub will also play host to the SALTEX 2018 Innovation Award ceremony and visitors can see the latest and best in new grounds care technology. The Innovation Trail enablies visitors to see every entry on the show floor.
Knowledge is growth
Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s education programme has CPD-accredited seminars, panel debates and network opportunities. Registration is open for all sessions due to take place in four purpose-built seminar theatres on the SALTEX show floor. There will be several expert speakers from the UK and abroad including John Moverley (Amenity Forum), Ruth Mann, (STRI), Dr Colin Fleming (Agri-Food and Biosciences), James Hewetson-Brown (Wildflower Turf) and Mark Rowe (Royal Parks).
Improve your soil biology
With prolonged heat and drought conditions challenging turf managers this year, SALTEX attendees will no doubt welcome the chance to have soil profiles assessed. The Pathology & Soil Science LIVE area on the IOG Hub (stand number C180, from 11am to 1pm each day) will allow visitors to look in detail at the symptoms of some common turfgrass fungal disease problems, as infected plants are magnified and displayed on a large screen. Visitors who may have soil profiles causing problems or concerns are welcome to bring in their own samples to discover how it could be improved.
See the latest products in action
In addition to the wide range of innovative products on display within the indoor environment, visitors to SALTEX will have the chance to see Outdoor Demonstrations on a grass area directly outside SALTEX halls 6,7 and 8. Groundwater Dynamics will be showcasing equipment that helps deal with flooding and standing water issues and Skarper will feature its array of wood chippers.
The future’s bright
Visitors can also get free advice at the Job Clinic. Located on the IOG Hub, industry expert Frank Newberry will host 15-minute one-to-one sessions covering CV writing to interview techniques. To book an appointment with Frank, visitors are advised to go to the IOG information desk on the IOG Hub as early as possible.
Network with like-minded individuals
Landscapers may be interested in SALTEX’s new feature ‘Lawn Care Legends LIVE’, which will offer a networking opportunity. Lawn Care Legends, a Facebook group created in July 2016, has more than 3,000 worldwide active members, and is primarily for landscapers and gardeners to showcase their work and knowledge, and ultimately support one another. Lawn Care Legends LIVE will be on 31 October at 2:00pm in concourse suites 22 and 23 by the SALTEX entrance.
www.iogsaltex.com