Attending landscaping trade shows helps those working in the business keep informed and ahead of the industry competition. It’s a chance for visitors to see and trial the latest industry innovations and for exhibitors an opportunity to cash in on a concentrated pool of leads under one roof. As well as offering the perfect environment for networking, many trade shows offer learning hubs, keeping attendees informed of latest trends and legislations. Here’s a pick of some popular European events.
1. SALTEX
SALTEX is the leading turf management event for groundscare volunteers, professionals and manufactures. Run by the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) the annual show is held over two days in October at the NEC Birmingham. It draws together exhibitors from across the UK, Europe and further afield who showcase their products and services to the 9000 plus visitors who attend.
It is a one-stop-shop for thousands of individuals working to install, manage and maintain the UK’s outdoor leisure spaces – from sports groundsmen to park and leisure amenity officers, from landscapers to greenkeepers, and foresters to estate managers.
All are employed in maintaining outdoor spaces from professional sports grounds to motorway service stations, and stately homes to local council parks and schools. They visit SALTEX to find the tools, machinery, materials, products and services designed to help them do their jobs as effectively as possible.
For exhibitors it is a landscaping trade show to showcase your products and services – machinery, tools, vehicles, turf, soils, seeds, aggregates, artificial or natural surfaces, playground, landscaping equipment, street furniture, arboriculture, horticulture, safety, security, training and career development.
Next show: 30-31 October, 2019 : iogsaltex.com
2. The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME)
The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) is Europe’s leading exhibition for turf professionals and buyers, and an opportunity to further education and development through the Continue to Learn programme. Currently based in Harrogate, Yorkshire the exhibition usually takes place in January.
This year BTME 2020 will feature more than 250 hours of education including the Turf Managers’ Conference, more than 150 exhibitors showcasing the latest products and innovations plus unrivalled networking opportunities. Last year’s exhibition saw nearly 9,000 turf managers, golf club owners, managers and industry decision-makers pack into the Harrogate Convention Centre.
There will be artificial grass, course furniture, drainage, fertilizers, groundscare machinery and equipment, irrigation, mowers, soil biology, spraying, turf and seeds, water, lake and pond management. Golf Cars, Utility Vehicles, Landscaping equipments, Spraying machines, Turf and Seeds, Wash off Systems and Workwear are also exhibited in this show.
Next Show: 21-23 January 2020: btme.org.uk
3. Landscape Show, Battersea
The Landscape Show currently takes place in Battersea Park on the south bank of the River Thames. Held in mid September it is becoming established as the essential trade event for discerning landscape designers, architects, contractors, facilities managers and interior designers.
It brings together an array of industry professionals from more than 60 countries, including garden designers, landscape architects, contractors and many more. The show features an endless selection of products that are available to source, including garden buildings and structures, stone, paving and aggregates, tools, machinery and vehicles, and metalwork.
The event aims to inspire and entertain visitors and one of its highlights is the Pecha Kucha 20×20; an exciting event that derives from the Japanese term ‘chit-chat’. This discussion is presented in a simple format, where the industry’s professional landscape architects present 20 images for 20 seconds each. Additionally, the event has a Best in Show competition, where exhibitors showcase a particular product from their innovative ranges to introduce to visitors.
The exhibition and all seminar sessions are free to attend. Registration is online.
Next event: 17th – 18th September, 2019 : landscapeshow.co.uk
4. Glee (Garden, Leisure, Equipment Exhibition)
Glee is a garden and outdoor living trade show, showcasing the freshest brands and new products and inspiring garden retail insights.
It offers thousands of the newest and most inspirational garden retail products from more than 500 suppliers. Glee welcomes a range of exhibitors from across eight show sectors from garden centres to those who make or grown own products. With visitors from multiples, independents and online retailers, it’s the perfect opportunity to launch and showcase your product collections, nurture your existing relationships and grow new ones.
10-12 September, 2019 : www.gleebirmingham.com
5. ARB Show
A firm date the annual calendar for arborists and those who care and enjoy the forests and tress of the UK. The ARB Show offers professionals the chance to discover the latest tools and kit with a host of industry suppliers in attendance during the two day event.
Landscaping trade shows such as this also allows members of the public to enjoy the day with a host of educational seminars to inform on offer and plenty of stores for some retail therapy.
Next date: 15 and 16th May, 2020
6. GaLaBau
One of many international landscaping trade shows for landscaping, maintenance and construction of urban and green spaces and sports grounds, golf courses and playgrounds across 14 exhibition halls.
The biannual show which takes place in Nuremberg, Germany offers the entire range of products from plants to machines in one place. More than 70,000 visitors and 1,253 exhibitors attend the bi-annual show.
Next show:16- 19 September 2020.