Sustainability at the heart of SAGE 2023

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Sustainability at the heart of SAGE 2023: Planning for SAGE 2023 is well underway, and this year sustainability is at its core. After a heatwave and drought sweeping the UK this summer, and with the ongoing energy crisis causing increasing uncertainty, it has never been more important for the groundscare industry to take conscious steps to combat climate change.

SAGE is returning for its third year in 2023 and realises the importance of reducing its impact on the environment, so this year is taking extra measures to ensure SAGE 2023 is as genuinely sustainable as possible.

Sustainability at the heart of SAGE 2023

Sustainability at the heart of SAGE 2023

Rather than vague promises of sustainability, SAGE is backing up claims of sustainability with actions that are tangibly good for the environment. Event Manager at SAGE, Vicky Panniers, said: “The deadline for becoming sustainable in the world of sports is now looming and our industry must now start to think of the steps we all need to take to become carbon neutral and comply with the new legislation.”

From using sustainable cleaning products to reducing single-use plastic, SAGE is implementing a wide range of sustainable practices all in line with Eventex’s suggested green practices, as highlighted in its ‘We are Green’ initiative. This initiative aims to inspire sustainability across the event industry, raise environmental awareness, and build a community of green-thinking organisers – something that is central to SAGE’s ethos.

Carbon footprint

What is a trade show without suppliers? In building next year’s exhibition show, SAGE has consciously chosen goods and services from responsible suppliers that share the same sustainability aims. Where possible, SAGE is sourcing local suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint as well as supporting local businesses. Plus, with a large number of expected visitors, SAGE is encouraging guests to travel by public transport to reduce the number of cars on the roads. For those who cannot travel by public transport, there will be free parking available on-site for increased accessibility.

Waste

With every event of this scale, waste can quickly build up. To reduce the impact, all on-site catering will be using fully compostable packaging, and all waste that does amass will be removed from the site, sorted, and then recycled or composted where possible. The remaining waste will be incinerated or turned into eco-friendly refuse-derived fuel.

Single-use plastic

SAGE is taking a stand against single-use plastic. Unlike other trade shows where disposable lanyards are the norm, SAGE is removing plastic badge covers and replacing them with sustainable lanyards.

Instead of plastic cups serving drinks at the bar, hireable glasses will be used at the networking event, where a variety of beers will be served on tap from barrels rather than from bottles. In a bid to tackle the use of disposable water bottles, SAGE is also installing free water refill stations across the showground and encouraging visitors to bring their own reusable bottles.

Venue

Situated in the stunning Three Counties Showground, in the vale of the Malvern Hills, SAGE prides itself on being in a beautiful bio-diverse area, where woodland and wildflower zones are left uncut, encouraging nature and wildlife to flourish. Setting aside these protected nature areas on site helps to preserve the natural habitats of the grounds and reduce the impact of the event on local wildlife.

SAGE is known for its unique outdoor setting, where exhibitors get the opportunity to display machinery in action. For demonstrations, all-natural materials will be sourced locally, such as brush for chippers and feature gardens. The green energy tariff will also be applied to this event.

Partners

SAGE has announced Bio Circle and GRASS as official partners. With the philosophy of “Making Green Work”, environmental surface technology specialist Bio-Circle has over 35 years of expertise in sustainable parts cleaning. Partnering with SAGE, Bio-Circle demonstrates how business can lower their environmental impact by offering environmental solutions for cleaning and maintenance of groundscare equipment. Bio-Circle will also appear on the live panel event at SAGE’s improved ‘Sustainable Solutions for Grounds Specialists Summit’.

SAGE has also partnered with the Groundscare Resources and Sustainability Solutions experts GRASS, who work across the groundscare and sports industry to implement sustainable changes, and will be offering advice on tailor-made sustainability practices. Chairman of GRASS, Mark Tomlinson, highlights their mission: “Through our work together, we will be working with progressive sports sector leaders to implement sustainable changes now and as new opportunities arise.”

Discover. Demo. Network.

With sustainable practices at the heart of the SAGE 2023 event, this exhibition is set to send waves through the industry and set the precedent for years to come.

With the renowned outdoor setting, convenient try before you buy set up, and free demo plot, SAGE is a great way to demonstrate your machinery to visitors. With unbeatable prices from as low as £14 per m2, secure your place now at SAGE 2023 with the early bird offer, which gives you. 10% off any stand until 31/01/22.

For more information, or to book exhibition space, please visit sportsandgrounds.events or contact Vicky Panniers vp@sportsandgrounds.co.uk. To learn more about how SAGE is implementing sustainable practices, read more on their newest blog post.

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Turf Tank supports Movember

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Turf Tank supports Movember: Industry leading robotic line marking company, Turf Tank, teams up with Scotland-based universities to support this month’s annual moustache-starring campaign for leading men’s health charity, Movember.

Scotland-based universities, Heriot-Watt, and Strathclyde, who are existing Movember Ambassadors, both allowed Turf Tank, an autonomous line marking robot company, to paint its iconic mo across its very own sports fields.

Turf Tank supports Movember

Turf Tank supports Movember

Now in its 19th year, Movember is just days away from encouraging its Mo Bros around the UK to band together to bravely sacrifice their upper lips in support of men’s mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.

Movember’s Country Director for UK and Europe, Anne-Cecile Berthier, said: “It’s a real pleasure to have received support from Turf Tank, Herriot-Watt, and Strathclyde University this year as we’ve been able to continue to raise awareness for men’s health in a way we’ve never once done before.

“Being able to replicate our moustache on such a large scale really does help to amplify our message – men are dying too young. Support like this we admire as it helps us to spread the message far and wide, so together, we can change the face of men’s health.”

According to a recent report released by the men’s health charity, in the UK, 3 out of 4 suicides are by men. 1 in 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and testicular cancer continues to be the most diagnosed cancer in young men.

Movember wants to encourage men to speak up when things get tough, and the work that Turf Tank, Herriot-Watt, and Strathclyde University has allowed the charity to create will hopefully spark conversations which could ultimately save lives.

To date, Movember has welcomed six million supporters and helped fund 1,250 innovative health projects across twenty countries. But we are not done yet. To donate or learn more, please visit uk.movember.com.

TIPS TO GROW YOUR MO 

  • Be prepared:  Choose the moustache that will grace your face by browsing the inspirational Movember Mo Style Guide. But embrace the moustache that nature gives you because whatever you grow will save a bro.
  • Be brave: The first few days, even weeks, can be uncomfortable as your Mo takes shape. Ride it out to encourage donations.
  • Ignore the itching: Remind yourself that men have endured worse in the past. You can stand a little face tickle.
  • Shape your moustache: Get across all the proper grooming techniques. A great Mo comes down to great grooming.
  • Nurture it and keep it clean: Look after your Mo, and your Mo will look after you.

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

  • Move for Movember- Commit to running or walking 60kms over the month. That’s 60kms for the 60 men we lose to suicide each hour, every hour across the world. You can join a team or run solo.
  • Host a Mo-ment- Rally a crew and do something fun. Hosting is all about having a good time for a good cause. And you can always put a virtual spin on your plans. The best part? Virtual events are easy to organise, cheap to run and you can go in your slippers. Think an online gaming tournament, Mo Bingo, or a virtual trivia night.
  • Mo Your Own Way- A choose-your-own-adventure challenge, epic in scope and scale. You make the rules. You set the limits and chase them down. Take a hike, run a relay, ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Get creative, push your limits, and inspire donations with sheer grit.

Why do we do it again?

  • Globally, we lose one man every minute to suicide
  • Three out of four suicides in the UK are men
  • One in 8 men in the UK & Ireland will receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer in their lifetime
  • Over 333,500 men are living with or beyond prostate cancer in the UK
  • Testicular cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in young men

To date, Movember has welcomed six million supporters and helped fund 1,250 innovative health projects across twenty countries. But we are not done yet.

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Burford’s Toro lease deal

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Burford’s Toro lease deal: Burford Golf Club gets its hands on 16 new Toro machines in its first ever Toro lease deal. This renewal deal with distributor Reesink Turfcare proves to be a cost-effective solution to replacing old machines while carefully managing expenses in the current climate.

Coming up on his 19th year next month with the parkland course at the heart of the Cotswolds, known for its treelined fairways, head greenkeeper Richard explains how when it came time to update equipment, a Toro lease deal was a great option for the club. He says: “We had six bits of equipment that were part of an aging fleet, some machines were up to 25 years old, and needed repairs. Eventually it ended up that we started thinking how can we buy new ones? When we went to Reesink Turfcare we were able to look at a lease deal. Instead of just replacing the six machines, with the lease we could get 16 new bits of kit.”

Burford's Toro lease deal

Burford’s Toro lease deal

Richard has followed in his predecessors’ footsteps in continuing to use Toro machines at the club with the addition of this new Toro fleet. He says: “We’ve always gone with Toro as a club. The person before me used Toro, and the person before him used Toro too. We were actually the first club in the country to use the GM3 back in the 1980s. We’ve just always kept using them. Every machine is designed for a job, and it does that job superbly. Toro machines are specialised in what they do, which is why they’re so good.”

As part of the renewal deal, Burford Golf Club has picked up two Greensmaster 3150-Q, two Greensmaster 3250-D, two Reelmaster 5610 fairway mowers with cabs, two Reelmaster 3100 cylinder mowers, two Greensmaster 3300 rotary mowers, two Sand Pro 2040Z rakes, two workman HDXD utility vehicles, a Pro Core 1298 Aerator and a Pro Pass 200 top dresser.

The ability to have so many new machines as part of the lease deal means a greater level of flexibility for the club. Richard says: “Having two of everything gives us a bit more flexibility. We can be working in different areas and not have to hinder the golfers and that’s always the most important thing.”

As part of the renewal, the club has also gained access to machines they have never used before. Richard claims that the Pro Core 1298 is his favourite, he says: “it is superb. We’ve been able to aerate all the fairways in three days. We use it on the tees, but you could also put it on the greens if you wanted to. We’ve never had that before.” The machine has articulating coring heads that ‘flex’ three degrees in each direction to maximise ground-following capability on undulations and ensure a consistent coring depth.

The deal was facilitated by The Big Mower Company and with so many new machines to get up and running, having the company’s support has been a huge help. Richard says: “The help from the Big Mower company and in particular Peter Bullock, Henry and Simon have been excellent. When we call them up, the person on the phone is great at helping us get the best out of the machines.”

Richard plans on using Toro to get the best finish on the course, but first the club is undergoing an exciting round of construction, says Richard: “We’re in the middle of installing PC drainage. We’ve done seven greens so far and are hoping to do about two more every year until they’re all done. We’re also levelling a lot of the tees, making some bigger while making others shorter as needed, and all that’s adapting to the handicap system. We’re also hoping to redo the bunkers. When we’re presenting the course, we’ll use the Toro machines­– they produce the best finish.”

To talk to someone about how the Toro range could suit your course, call 01480 226800.

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