A show for Scotland: Scott MacCallum applauds the vision which has introduced a trade show for Scotland, by Scotland, to replace a lamented event which closed over a decade ago.
It takes foresight, imagination and determination to launch a trade show in our industry, but with The Scots Turf Show, which has quickly become a feature of the Scottish amenity turf scene, it also took a visit to the Golden Arches.
A show for Scotland
That is where Richard Heywood and Alan Thomson, both well known figures within the Scottish scene, came up with the idea of launching a Scottish-based show to fill the void left when the original Scotsturf closed its doors over 10 years ago.
“It was back in 2019 and we were having one of our regular catch-ups.
We got chatting about trade shows and we got on to wondered if we could bring something back for the Scottish market,” recalled Richard, of the pair’s meeting in the McDonald’s close to Ibrox stadium, in Glasgow,
“We really missed the old IOG Scotsturf Show and we thought that there must be a way of doing something which would bring back the sense community within the Scottish turf scene,” said Richard.
Richard and Alan, while never having been with the same company have worked alongside each other for many years, wanted to see if there was an appetite to do something along those lines. If there wasn’t, they would console themselves with the fact that they’d given it a try.
The chat continued and what came out of it was an Open Day held at Falkirk Tryst in 2019.
“The only way that we felt we could make it work was to get some companies interested in the idea and work together. That is what we did and that first Open day worked really well.
We thought it was a tremendous and were planning a bigger show for the next year. Then along came Covid,” recalled Alan.
After the enforced lay-off Richard and Alan returned with what they also called an Open Day, this time at Hamilton Racecourse.
“We really didn’t want to go to Edinburgh or Glasgow, as traffic can be an issue, but while considering potential venues, Hamilton Park Racecourse became a possibility,” said Alan, whose day job is UK & US Sales Manager for SIS Pitches.”
“We paid a visit, walked around the site with Mark Bemrose, who was Head Groundsman at the time, and we also met with the caterers, Sodexo.
We looked at each other and thought this place is absolutely perfect,” said Richard, whose day job is Product Specialist for Campey Turfcare.
“That year, 2023, it was effectively the 12 companies who we’d already working closely with at Falkirk Tryst. There has continued to be a group of us that gets together once a year and looks at the direction we should be going,” said Alan.
A show for Scotland
That first Hamilton event was a huge success with excellent speakers delivering interesting talks in front of a large and appreciative audience. Over 300 people attended and immediately plans were put in place for the next year – what the guys call the first The Scots Turf Show.
Well 2024 went from 12 companies to just over 60. Then last year, when the rain gods paid a visit, there were over 70 companies in attendance.
“This year we are looking to be pushing beyond those 2025 numbers,” said Richard.
One nagging issue that was at the back of their minds was what the GMA might think of the Scotsturf name being taken, tweaked slightly and becoming The Scots Turf Show.
Those concerns were quashed when Richard bumped into Jason Booth, the GMA’s Operations Director, at a Saltex a couple of years ago.
“I saw Jason walking towards me and my first thought was ‘Oh no, what is he going to say?’. But he was brilliant, very positive and full of encouragement,” recalled Richard.
Jason’s message was to go for it and if it was successful he’d be absolutely delighted.
“We’re actually paying homage to what it once was, and I think the GMA appreciated that,” said Alan.
The original Scotsturf, had been a fixture on the Scottish turf calendar for many years.
“It was great for bringing together everyone from the Scottish side of the industry. Initially it was a one day show and there was a real buzz about it,” said Richard.
“There were buses coming in, the place was rammed. It was just a brilliant occasion, almost like a mini Harrogate. It had that same kind of vibe about it.
“Then it moved to two days and transferred from the Lowland Hall into the Highland Hall but the show just wasn’t big enough to fill it and it just seemed to lose momentum,” he added.
While accepting that they are not in the same league at the UK’s bigger shows the guys want their show to aspire to be a little like that other recently launched show – GroundsFest, with a blend of fun and business.
But visitors to this year’s show – on March 4th – will see the developments that have been introduced since the 2025 edition.
“We’re going to try and have badges printed off so that people will have lanyards and badges so that we know who people are when they’re walking around the show field.
“Last year it was just swing the doors open and let everybody in. We gave away food vouchers which gave us an idea of the numbers coming through the gates,” said Alan.
“We’re also increasing the value of the food vouchers which will add to the visitor experience,” he added.
Another important element of the day is the education and, again, they are hoping to build on what they had delivered in previous years.
A show for Scotland
“We’re going to take more control of the presentations. Last time we gave exhibiting companies slots and told them that they could talk about whatever they wanted..
“This year it will be a lot less commercial and we’re taking control of who’s going to be talking and what they’re going to be talking about. Listen to top professionals within our industry imparting their knowledge should be a draw to people to come and listen,” said Richard.
The layout this year will be more compact and give it a definite feel of walking into an event.
We’re not a GMA, we’re not a BIGGA and both of these organisations have a wealth of experience, a wealth of knowledge, and are really geared up towards putting on events. We’re not, and we don’t profess to be, so we ask all our exhibitors to help promote the show. We provide email headers and footers for them to include in their correspondence to customers and suppliers,” said Alan.
The only other help that the Show gets is from Campey Turfcare, who offer admin support, but the guys are keen to stress that The Scots Turf Show is very much independent.
Looking down the line and to the future of The Scots Turf Show Richard is honest
“I don’t know where we want to take it. It’s down to the visitors. We could get a year where nobody wants to exhibit and then the show dies. We could get a year when nobody comes to visit and the show dies. So we’re really driven by what people want.”
On the other hand, they have to consider how to grow the Show if the momentum that has been created continues. “We are restricted by Hamilton Park, particularly the outdoor areas as there is a limit to the hard standing they can offer us. We’re also restricted by the car parking.
“At the moment, the outdoor areas could be a little bigger, but not much. If the weather allows, we want to run some demo areas as well. Indoor areas can be increased substantially. We will find space and we don’t turn anybody down.
“Anybody wants to come and exhibit, it’s all inclusive!” said Richard.
Looking beyond that?
“If the show decides to get much bigger we would move it, we’re not wedded to Hamilton. Its natural home might be Ingleston, but we are mindful of costs increasing when you move to these big venues. And that increases the risk,” explained Richard.
At the current rate of trajectory those might be good problems to have but as it stands The Scots Turf Show is moving along nicely and 2026 is shaping up to be a must visit event for everyone in the Scottish turf industry.
