A total of 8386 visitors attended BTME 2012 – a 49.6% increase over 2011.
That remarkable figure represents a threefold increase in the number of attendees from Continental Europe; an increase of 108% in those who attended from the South West; an 86% increase of those from Scotland and a 57% increase from the South East.
“We are delighted with the attendance figures, which vindicate the huge amount of work that was carried out in advance of the Show to encourage visitors to attend. The week has evolved over the years and now encompasses a fantastic, well supported education programme, various networking and hospitality events and this year we also saw other bodies taking the chance to hold meetings and gatherings in Harrogate whilst taking in a trip to the Exhibition.
The education offering is first class and improves year on year in terms of quality and uptake. The unique venue also ensures that networking takes place from breakfast to bedtime and good practice in greenkeeping is discussed and refined as a result.” said BIGGA’s CEO Jim Croxton.
Reflecting on BTME 2012, Croxton remarked “One of BIGGA’s most popular events is our Turf Management Exhibition and to have such a successful edition in the year we celebrated 25 years of the Association is really gratifying. When SIGGA, EIGGA and BGGA amalgamated in 1987 to form the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association many of our highest profile members envisaged a time when our activity would be central to the progress of the industry. I hope they’d agree we are on that path now.”