Saltex 2025 has officially wrapped with a confirmed attendance of 7,463, outstripping 2024 visitor numbers and reinforcing its position as the cutting-edge event for the grounds management industry, organiser the Grounds Management Association states.
With visitors from across Europe, Asia, the Americas and New Zealand to name a few, the show’s international reach continues to grow – and so does its impact.
This year’s Saltex “wasn’t just busy and vibrant on the show floor but incredibly purposeful, too”, says the GMA. “Exhibitors reported a high volume of meaningful conversations with influential buyers and decision-makers, many of which may progress into commercial opportunities.”
From elite sports venues, such as 14 Premier League football clubs and more than 75 golf clubs, to local authorities, private estates and educational institutions, “the calibre of attendees mirrored a sector ready to invest”.
Great place to catch up
Josh Keay, greenkeeper at Blackwell Golf Club, said: “It’s been great, the education you get through Learning LIVE and the extracurricular activities you can do, all on top of networking – it’s a great place to catch up with people. It’s also a great opportunity to see how the industry is moving forward and how things can be useful to you.”
More than one in two said they attended the event to source new machinery and technological advancements. “The show floor was alive with innovation, as a number of exhibitors used the event as a strategic launchpad for their latest products. Among them were AriensCo with the AS 920 ESherpa 2WD, SMG Machines introducing the TurfBoy TB1 Eco DC, Allett Ltd unveiling the LEDMASTER UVC 100, ISEKI showcasing its Raymo remote-controlled range, Rhenac presenting the RML 400 lighting product and Trimax launching its latest innovation, OptiAdjust. “Just a handful of the many new technologies revealed, highlighting the show’s role as the go-to platform for product debuts and industry advancement.”
Centenary celebration
Alan Prickett, sales director at ISEKI UK & Ireland, said: “We had a really good time celebrating our 100-year anniversary at the show, and very pleased with the visitor numbers. We like it here at the NEC – it’s a good atmosphere and it gives us the chance to put a proper stand up without having to worry about everything getting wet all the time.
“We like to support the GMA, they do very good work, and Saltex is an important get together for the industry. It’s a great place to launch new products and we do always come away with actionable enquiries, and they lead to sales. We’ll keep coming back.”
Learning LIVE popularity
The Learning LIVE programme attracted 1,038 attendees, making it one of the most visited features of the show. With sessions spanning seven key themes including Technical Insights, Sustainable Grounds Management, Careers and Skills Development, Innovation in Grounds, Case Studies and Best Practices, Funding and Resources and Hands-on Learning, the programme once again delivered practical, forward-thinking content for professionals and volunteers at every level.
Elite mindset and performance
Keynote speaker James Haskell drew a packed audience with his talk on elite mindset and performance, setting the tone for a memorable programme. Alongside him, a host of respected industry figures shared expertise and sparked discussion on the future of the profession.
“I love Saltex and especially given the opportunity to speak about what I’m passion about, which is resilience and elite level mindset – It’s something I use in all areas of my life,” said James. “All the visitors here are so important to sport, and my Learning LIVE session seemed to resonate with them, which is great. Grounds management work has a lot of traditions to it, but innovation for me is about looking at the best solutions and the best ways of working.”o
Saltex “is unique in its mission: every penny of surplus is reinvested back into the grounds management industry. That means every exhibitor and visitor is directly contributing to the development of the profession including grassroots initiatives, workforce training, GMA membership and sector-wide advocacy”.
Industry cornerstone
Geoff Webb, GMA chief executive, said Saltex “is a cornerstone of our industry. Every year it brings together the right people and the latest innovations that drive grounds management forward.” What made it “truly unique” was that at its core was an exhibition built by the few to serve the many.
“It’s had challenges such as Covid, new entrants, and defied decades of change built by grounds staff, providing a high quality and professional shop window for our sector and those that supply into it, those that work in it and those that elevate others – be that through education or agronomic advice it is a show truly by the industry, for the industry.
“That means when someone chooses to exhibit or attend, they’re directly contributing to the future of the profession. This year’s event was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together with purpose. The energy, the quality of conversations and the appetite for progress were clear across the show floor. Great business was done with numerous comments about the high quality of leads and connections. We changed it up and we have had a great response as a result. A great team effort all round.
Landmark 2026 event
“As we look ahead to our 80th edition in 2026,” Geoff continued, “we can feel that we’re building momentum.” The event “continues to be the beating heart of the grounds management community, and we’re proud to champion its growth both nationally and internationally.”
Next year’s edition will be a landmark celebration, marking the 80th Saltex. Taking place on 11 and 12 November 2026 at NEC Birmingham, it will honour eight decades of progress within the grounds management industry.
For updates and registration details, visit www.saltex.org.uk