Learning LIVE returns to SALTEX 2025

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Learning LIVE returns to SALTEX 2025: The industry’s largest free education offering, Learning LIVE, is back for SALTEX 2025, delivering its biggest and most tailored programme to date.

Following a record-breaking 2024 that saw more education hours delivered than ever before and over 1,000 attendees engaging with sessions, this year promises even more opportunities to power up your skills and gain accredited CPD points.

Learning LIVE returns to SALTEX 2025

Learning LIVE returns to SALTEX 2025

With pressures mounting on grounds teams to deliver high-quality playing surfaces and green spaces, Learning LIVE provides real-world insights and sector-first knowledge, completely free of charge.

Among the highlights is James Haskell, one of the most recognisable personalities in sport. In his headline session, High Performance Mindset: Lessons from the Pitch to the Boardroom, James will draw on his career as a professional rugby player, media personality and entrepreneur to explore the role of elite playing surfaces in sporting success.

A first for 2025 will be the GMA NextGen’s takeover of Learning LIVE. Made up of talented young professionals dedicated to championing the industry and inspiring the next generation, NextGen will lead two dedicated Spotlight Stage sessions. Covering diversity in the industry and youth engagement, the sessions will see alumni share their own journeys into grounds management, their role as changemakers and ideas for attracting more young people into the sector.

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the Grounds Management Association (GMA), said: “Learning LIVE has become a cornerstone of SALTEX and of the wider industry. It’s the largest free education programme of its kind and it continues to grow in scale and impact.

“This year, we’ve worked hard to make the content more tailored than ever before, shaped around the real challenges and opportunities faced by people on the ground. It’s about equipping professionals at every level with knowledge they can take straight back to their venues.”

Key sessions from the Learning LIVE programme include:

  • The preparation and delivery of FIFA 2026 World Cup – Alan Ferguson, Senior Pitch Management Manager, FIFA
  • Public Parks: Gardening for People and Planet – Matthew Pottage, Head of Horticulture & Landscape Strategy, The Royal Parks
  • High Performance Mindset: Lessons from the Pitch to the Boardroom – James Haskell, Rugby legend, broadcaster, DJ and best-selling author
  • Course success at the 2025 Open Championship – Graeme Beatt, Course Manager, Royal Portrush Golf Club
  • UEFA Champions League, Nations League Final & Women’s EURO 2025 pitch preparations – Lee Guerriero, Stadium Operations and Pitch Expert, UEFA
  • Future-proofing turf management: Water resilience in a changing climate – Tony Hanson, Managing Director, Environmental Solutions International, Mark Hunt, Technical Specialist, Prodata Weather Systems, Roger Davey, Managing Director & Founder, Irritech and Dr Tom Young, Blue-Green Infrastructure Specialist, The Environment Partnership
  • Sustainable solutions at multi-sport venues – James Wright, Senior Maintenance Manager, University of Leeds, Andrew Turnbull, BioAgronomist, South West Agronomy, Sam Kingston, Grounds Manager, Wesley College and Andrew Bulter, Head of Grounds & Gardens, Repton School

From community sport funding and machinery security to grass seed innovation, pest and weed management and youth engagement in grounds careers, the full programme offers something for everyone across the sector.

Click here to view the full programme.

With more than 30 sessions across the Main Stage, Spotlight Stage and Community Sport Stage, there’s a wealth of knowledge on offer from some of the most respected names in the grounds management industry.

SALTEX 2025 takes place on 12-13 November at the NEC, Birmingham. Register for FREE at saltex.org.uk and be in with a chance of winning a Cramer Tools Lawn Mower, complete with charger and battery, worth £2,240!

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Toro UK’s succesful first-ever dealer hub at GroundsFest

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Toro UK’s succesful first-ever dealer hub at GroundsFest: The launch of Toro U.K.’s Dealer Hub at GroundsFest 2025 – the UK’s largest groundscare festival – proved a roaring success. Placing groundscare dealers at the centre of their offering for this year’s edition, Toro’s dealer hub offered the opportunity to liaise with the full Toro team, including Sales, Marketing, Product Development and Engineering.

Over dealers from across the country – as well as other end-users and gardening professionals – were given the chance to discuss new product lines, investment and partnership opportunities across the UK. Visitors to the hub also got a first-ever look at the new range of Toro clothing.

Toro UK's succesful first-ever dealer hub at GroundsFest

Toro UK’s succesful first-ever dealer hub at GroundsFest

Craig Hoare, Sales and Marketing Manager at Toro U.K. Limited, had this to say about the event:

“We are immensely proud of all the hard work completed by our Toro U.K. staff, as well as incredibly grateful for another successful event organised by GroundsFest. This was our largest GroundsFest showcase ever, with over 80 products on display and a whole range of new Toro clothing – which was flying off the shelves from the moment the showground opened.”

Hayter®, holder of the Royal Warrant for Horticultural Equipment and brother brand of Toro U.K., saw similar success at the show – where the British legacy brand shared a stage with Toro®.

The latest iteration of their longstanding Harrier® 56 lawnmower was nominated for the Innovation Award, hosted by Technical Editor at Horticulture Week, Sally Drury, where the machine was awarded runner-up.

They also demonstrated upgrades to their rear rollers, their new 56 and 48 Harrier battery lawnmowers and the long-awaited groomer brush and side skirt attachments for their mowers – an accessory which has been in high demand by gardening professionals.

Hoare commented: “The buzz and atmosphere felt by both end-consumers and dealers was palpable and we can’t wait to march full steam ahead with our dealer partners, who we had the pleasure of speaking to at our first-ever Dealer Hub.”

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James Haskell to headline at SALTEX

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James Haskell to headline at SALTEX: SALTEX, the UK’s cutting-edge sports turf, grounds care and landscaping exhibition, is set to welcome one of the most recognisable sporting personalities, James Haskell, for an unmissable Learning LIVE and Clubhouse DJ session on day one of the show. 

Held at the NEC Birmingham on 12-13 November 2025, SALTEX promises a vibrant mix of industry insight and entertainment. Haskell, a former England international rugby player, will join the stellar Learning LIVE line up and deliver a keynote session. His talk will explore the parallels between elite sport and professional development, touching on leadership, resilience and the importance of adaptability in high-performance environments.

James Haskell to headline at SALTEX

James Haskell to headline at SALTEX

As a former professional athlete, James understands first-hand the critical role high-quality playing surfaces play in elite performance, and he brings a genuine appreciation for the work of grounds staff and turf professionals at all levels.

He is one of the best-known rugby players and sportspeople in the UK, having played 77 times for his country, as well as competing internationally and for the British and Irish Lions. He’s known as much for his ability on the field as for his personality off it.

James will also perform an exclusive live DJ set at the SALTEX Clubhouse to kick off Happy Hour on the afternoon of Wednesday 12 November. Known for his love for electronic music and high-energy performances, he set is said to bring ‘Café Mambo vibes’ to Birmingham – blending uplifting house beats with a relaxed, Ibiza-inspired atmosphere. The Clubhouse offers visitors a unique opportunity to unwind and network in a vibrant, informal setting.

The SALTEX Clubhouse has been revamped for 2025 to provide even more opportunities to unwind. Open throughout the show, it will host informal meetups and specially designed networking events to help visitors build meaningful relationships.

James Haskell said: “I’m really looking forward to joining everyone at SALTEX this year. I know first-hand the difference that world-class pitches make to performance, so it’ll be great to share my experiences from the professional game with the people who make it all possible.

“High performance isn’t just about elite sport and sportspeople, it’s about mindset and finding ways to bring out your best every day. I can’t wait to dive into that with the visitors, and then round things off with a DJ set in the Clubhouse.”

Since retiring from professional sport in 2019, James has embarked on a multi-faceted career as a podcaster, presenter and professional DJ.

He hosts several podcasts, including The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, one of the biggest sports podcasts in the world. He’s also appeared on hit shows such as I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, The Chase, A League of Their Own, Question of Sport, Fighting Talk, and many more household-name programmes.

“We’re absolutely delighted to have James Haskell joining us at SALTEX 2025,” said Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the Grounds Management Association. “He is one of the UK’s most recognisable sporting personalities and brings a wealth of experience from the very highest levels of performance, both on and off the pitch. His session will offer valuable insight into resilience and mindset but also provide plenty of entertaining stories.

“Adding someone of James’ stature to an already fantastic Learning LIVE programme just shows the breadth of knowledge and inspiration visitors can expect at this year’s show. And of course, what better way to round off the day than with James swapping the microphone for the decks to kick-start Happy Hour in the Clubhouse Bar. It’s going to be a real highlight of the show.”

SALTEX 2025 is expected to welcome thousands of professionals and volunteers from across the sports turf, grounds care and landscaping sectors, with more than 400 brands and 65+ expert speakers confirmed.

Register for FREE at www.saltex.org.uk and be in with a chance of winning a Cramer Tools Lawn Mower, complete with charger and battery, worth £2,240!

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GroundsFest 2025 Raises the Bar Again

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GroundsFest 2025 Raises the Bar Again: GroundsFest 2025 cemented its place as the UK’s largest industry trade show after just three years, with an incredible 9,037 visitors over two days. The event’s rapid growth was clear for all to see: more exhibitors, more visitors, and more innovation than ever before.

The show offered hundreds of brands, cutting-edge product launches, and a community spirit that made GroundsFest stand out. The atmosphere was electric – relaxed yet vibrant – with interactive games on stands, smiling faces throughout, and a genuine sense of excitement as professionals and volunteers from every corner of the industry came together.

GroundsFest 2025 Raises the Bar Again

GroundsFest 2025 Raises the Bar Again

Innovation at the Heart of the Show

Innovation was everywhere. From world-first product launches to interactive demonstrations, GroundsFest once again proved itself as the home of forward-thinking solutions. Visitors were among the first to experience never-before-seen equipment and technology that is shaping the future of the sector.

The first-ever GroundsFest Innovation Awards, in association with Hort Week and sponsored by Cramer and Bosch, drew over 100 entries, showcasing the best of new product design alongside proven favourites that have stood the test of time.

Winners:

  • Maintenance and workshop equipment – New product – Foley Company for the 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder
  • Stood the test of time – Clearwater Recycling Systems
  • Services – New product – Origin Amenity Solutions for Machine keeper
  • Transport – New product – LCVT for Side Tipping Beavertail
  • Tractors and implement carriers – New product – AEBI, Schmidt UK for Aebi TT 282
  • Tree care – New product – CMC Lift UK for CMC S20
  • Landscape consumables – New product – Wildflower Turf Ltd for Enhanced Wildflower Biodiversity Range
  • Stood the test of time – DLF Seeds for The Pro-Flora range of mixtures
  • Landscape equipment – New product – Westermann UK for WR870 EGO Battery Moss Brush
  • Stood the test of time – The Professional Sprayer People for Mankar ULV Sprayers
  • Turf maintenance consumables – New product – Fargro for the DCM Vital Green
  • Turf maintenance equipment – New product – Redexim UK for Redexim Scarivator
  • Stood the test of time – Redexim UK for Verti Drain
  • Grass cutting equipment – New product – STIGA for Nexus
  • Stood the test of time – Trimax for Pegasus

Over 30 Hours of Free Education and Inspiration

Over 30 hours of free education were delivered across five seminar theatres, with top speakers providing invaluable insights and CPD points for attendees. The Landscape Zone, in partnership with BALI, was significantly busier than in 2024, with packed-out education sessions on design, planning, and outdoor construction. Many seminars became talking points throughout the halls, sparking fresh conversations and new collaborations.

Crowd-Favourite Features

Feature areas continued to thrive and expand. Machinery Nation LIVE wowed audiences with its “Chainsaws – Past, Present and Future” showcase, featuring brands like STIHL, EGO, Milwaukee, and Dewalt alongside rare vintage models. Visitors also enjoyed the Stand-On Mowers head-to-head challenge and an adrenaline-fuelled machinery relay.

Lawn Mower Racing, in partnership with Kramp UK and the West Midland Lawn Mower Association, made its debut and proved to be a huge crowd-pleaser.

Visitors also had the chance to win prizes ranging from robotic mowers to premium hand tools, adding extra excitement to the show.

GroundsFest 2025 Raises the Bar Again

GroundsFest 2025 Raises the Bar Again

Festival Vibes

GroundsFest’s unique blend of trade show and festival atmosphere set it apart once again. The live music festival returned bigger and better, with great food, drink, free bumper cars, and the world’s best Oasis tribute band delivering a set that struck a chord with attendees.

Christopher Bassett, Event Director of GroundsFest, said:

“This show wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible exhibitors, visitors, and partners. We’re truly humbled and we’ll continue to reinvest profits from GroundsFest back into the industry through the GroundsFest Academy. The key is to always keep listening and evolving – to give the industry a show they can be proud of.”

With its unbeatable mix of innovation, education, community, and festival energy, GroundsFest has firmly established itself as the go-to event for the industry. If 2025 is anything to go by, the show’s future is brighter than ever.

GroundsFest 2026 will return to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 16th and 17th September.

For more information visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026

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Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026: Organisers of The MENA TURF SHOW are delighted to announce that registration is officially open for the 2026 event, scheduled for Friday 17 April 2026, at the prestigious Park Hyatt Dubai.

Celebrating its impact on turf, landscaping, and green space management across the Middle East and North Africa, The MENA TURF SHOW brings together industry leaders, specialists, and decision-makers for a powerful day of innovation, education, and collaboration.

Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026

Registration Now Open for The MENA TURF SHOW 2026

“We are thrilled to open registration for this year’s MENA TURF SHOW,” said Nick Brown of Campey Turf Care Systems. “The UAE region has lacked a dedicated event where professionals can meet, connect, and exchange knowledge—until now. With a perfect spring date and the iconic Park Hyatt Dubai venue, we’re focused on driving conversations around sustainability, turf science, smart irrigation, and best practices specific to our regional climate.”

2026 MENA TURF SHOW Highlights:

• Expert-led sessions bringing education that can transform how we care for sports surfaces and
landscapes in this unique environment
• Networking with top suppliers, contractors, groundskeepers, and golf/sports turf managers
• Exclusive insights on regional challenges

Secure your place now for an event not to be missed!

Venue: Hall: Creek A, Park Hyatt Dubai, UAE
Date: 17 April 2026

Register or learn more: www.themeanturfshow.com

Stay up to date—follow us on social media with #MENATurfShow2026 for insights, speaker announcements, and exhibitor reveals.

Connect. Discover. Grow. See you at The MENA TURF SHOW in Dubai on 17 April 2026.

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