Amenity Forum brings Integrated Pest Management to life at GroundesFest

Amenity Forum brings Integrated Pest Management to life at GroundesFest

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Amenity Forum brings Integrated Pest Management to life at GroundesFest

The Amenity Forum will feature a new Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Practice Showcase at GroundsFest 2026, bringing together member organisations to demonstrate how different technologies, products and approaches contribute to sustainable amenity management.

Amenity Forum brings Integrated Pest Management to life at GroundesFest

Amenity Forum brings Integrated Pest Management to life at GroundesFest

Rather than focusing on individual products or organisations, the showcase will take visitors on a journey through the key stages of Integrated Pest Management – from prevention and monitoring through to targeted intervention, application and review.

The interactive display will demonstrate that effective IPM is not a single solution, but a combination of knowledge, planning, technology, cultural practices and responsible decision-making.

The first organisations confirmed to contribute to the showcase include:

  • Complete Weed Control – demonstrating precision weed detection and targeted herbicide application technology that enables treatments only where weeds are present, helping to reduce pesticide use.
  • DLF – showcasing sports turf and wildflower solutions that demonstrate how healthy, resilient surfaces and enhanced biodiversity form important components of Integrated Pest Management.
  • NOMIX – demonstrating the role that residual herbicides can play within a long-term weed management strategy, reducing weed emergence and supporting a reduction in treatment frequency over successive seasons.
  • National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS) – demonstrating spray application technology and the importance of nozzle selection in achieving accurate and responsible application.

Ian Graham, Chair of the Amenity Forum said:

“Integrated Pest Management is about making informed decisions, using the right intervention at the right time and considering the full range of tools available. No single product, technology or technique delivers effective IPM on its own.

The IPM in Practice Showcase at GroundsFest will bring together examples of how different organisations are helping to deliver more sustainable vegetation management. By demonstrating practical solutions side by side and the journey from manufacture to application of the Plant Protection Products that often form an essential part of integrated techniques, we hope visitors will leave with a better understanding of how prevention, monitoring, biological approaches, targeted application and professional competence all have a role to play.

The Amenity Forum is delighted to be working with its members to bring this showcase to GroundsFest and we look forward to welcoming industry professionals to see Integrated Pest Management properly represented.”

Additional Amenity Forum members joining the showcase will be announced over the coming weeks, highlighting further innovations in biological control, stewardship, monitoring and non-chemical weed management.

Industry professionals will be able to explore how each element contributes to the wider IPM process, reinforcing the message that sustainable vegetation management relies on informed decisions and the integration of multiple approaches rather than any single intervention.

Visitors can experience the IPM in Practice Showcase on Stand OSA812 throughout GroundsFest 2026, where the Amenity Forum and participating members will demonstrate how different technologies and approaches work together to deliver effective Integrated Pest Management. They will also be able to collect BASIS Knowledge Trail CPD points.

For further information about the Amenity Forum, visit: www.amenityforum.net

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STIHL to showcase the future of professional battery power at GroundsFest

STIHL to showcase the future of professional battery power at GroundsFest

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STIHL to showcase the future of professional battery power at GroundsFest

STIHL is set to mark its 100th anniversary at GroundsFest 2026 with the showcase of its new ALLPRObattery system, demonstrating how the next generation of professional battery technology is helping grounds maintenance and landscaping teams maximise productivity, minimise downtime and work more efficiently throughout the day.

STIHL to showcase the future of professional battery power at GroundsFest

STIHL to showcase the future of professional battery power at GroundsFest

Taking place at Stoneleigh Park on 9th – 10th September 2026, GroundsFest brings together professionals from across the grounds care, landscaping and amenities sectors. Visitors to the STIHL stand will have the opportunity to explore the company’s latest battery innovations and discover how its growing professional battery ecosystem is designed to support demanding commercial applications.

STIHL ALLPRO battery system for professional grounds maintenance

At the heart of STIHL’s stand will be the ALLPRO battery system, a new generation of high-performance batteries engineered to deliver increased power output, longer running times and significantly longer service life, while maintaining the durability expected from STIHL professional products.

Designed for professional users, the ALLPRO system enables grounds maintenance and landscaping teams to spend more time working and less time managing battery changes and charging schedules.

STIHL ultra-fast charging to minimise downtime

Visitors will also be able to see the new AL 1802 MO charger, designed to keep professional teams moving throughout the working day.

When paired with the ALLPRO battery system, batteries can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in just nine minutes, helping operators to minimise downtime and maximise productivity on site.

STIHL portable power wherever the job takes you

Alongside the new charger, STIHL will also showcase the PS 2000 Portable Power Supply, providing a flexible source of power for professionals working across multiple sites.

Together, the ALLPRO batteries, AL 1802 MO and PS 2000 form a complete professional battery ecosystem designed to support contractors, local authorities, estates teams and grounds maintenance professionals.

STIHL celebrating 100 years of innovation

STIHL’s appearance at GroundsFest comes during a landmark year, as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Since 1926, STIHL has helped shape the forestry, landscaping and gardening industries through continuous innovation, with the ALLPRO system representing the latest step in its commitment to developing high-performance professional equipment.

Visit STIHL at GroundsFest

The STIHL team will be on Stand OSA 30 throughout the exhibition, providing product demonstrations, expert advice and guidance on its latest professional battery technologies.

For more information on STIHL products, visit www.stihl.co.uk or contact your nearest STIHL Approved Dealer.

Find out more about STIHL’s historic milestone, here: https://100.stihl.com

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ProSport UK Puts Quality of Cut at the Heart of GroundsFest Display

ProSport UK Puts Quality of Cut at the Heart of GroundsFest Display

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ProSport UK Puts Quality of Cut at the Heart of GroundsFest Display

ProSport UK will put quality of cut at the centre of its GroundsFest display as it brings the Foley 672 Accu-Pro AT and 642 Quick-Spin Reel Grinder to Stand 46.

ProSport UK Puts Quality of Cut at the Heart of GroundsFest Display

ProSport UK Puts Quality of Cut at the Heart of GroundsFest Display

Listed under the Foley Company name, ProSport will demonstrate how accurate bedknife and reel grinding can improve cutting performance, turf presentation, and workshop efficiency.

The Foley 672 Accu-Pro AT semi-automatic bedknife grinder has been designed to deliver consistent results while simplifying setup and operation. Fast angle positioning, electromagnetic mounting, and a precision traverse system help operators achieve an accurate grind across a wide range of bedknives.

Alongside it, the floor-level Foley 642 Quick-Spin provides a practical solution for touch-up spin grinding between scheduled relief grinds. Its roll-on, roll-off design removes the need for lifting equipment, making it particularly suited to the wider and heavier cutting units commonly used on sports pitches.

Capable of accommodating reels up to 42 inches wide, the 642 allows operators to restore a sharp cutting edge quickly, helping to reduce machinery downtime and preserve the reel-to-bedknife relationship required for a clean, consistent cut.

For facilities managing demanding mowing schedules, in-house grinding gives workshop teams greater control over when cutting units are serviced. Reels and bedknives can be maintained as part of a planned programme rather than waiting for cutting performance to decline, helping machinery return to work quickly and deliver a consistently high-quality finish throughout the season.

Together, the two machines demonstrate a complementary approach to sharpening, combining accurate bedknife grinding with fast reel touch-ups. Visitors to Stand 46 will be able to speak with ProSport UK Managing Director Ian Robson about their existing grinding arrangements, workshop requirements, and the most suitable approach for their machinery fleet.

As Foley Company’s UK dealer, ProSport provides grinding machinery, technical knowledge, and ongoing support to customers across the professional turf industry. Its offering also includes Salsco petrol and electric greens rollers, which it distributes throughout the UK following Foley Company’s acquisition of Salsco.

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Specialist Solutions Take Centre Stage for Campey

Specialist Solutions Take Centre Stage for Campey

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Specialist Solutions Take Centre Stage for Campey

Campey Turf Care Systems will return to GroundsFest this September on Stand 35, showcasing a carefully selected line-up of machinery tailored to the turf maintenance needs of landscapers, local authorities and contractors.

Specialist Solutions Take Centre Stage for Campey

Specialist Solutions Take Centre Stage for Campey

As maintenance programmes become more targeted and closely monitored, with grounds professionals increasingly accountable, Campey is focused on providing specialist equipment that enables individual operations to be carried out with maximum precision and efficiency.

Leading the display is the Rotadairon Stone Burier, a new addition to the Campey portfolio. Designed to produce a high-quality seedbed in a single pass, the machine buries stones, vegetation and surface debris beneath the cultivated layer while leaving fine soil on the surface ready for seeding or turf establishment. By combining cultivation, levelling and consolidation into one operation, it offers contractors and turf professionals an efficient solution for sports turf construction, renovation and landscaping projects.

The remainder of the stand continues the specialist theme. The Vredo Turf Buddy and Vredo Turf Fix demonstrate different approaches to overseeding and turf repair, helping grounds professionals improve establishment while minimising disruption to play. For operations where accuracy and timing are critical, the Campey Pedestrian Aeraseeder combines aeration and seeding in a single pass, while the Campey Electric Sarel Roller offers a lightweight, battery-powered approach to surface aeration, reflecting the growing demand for quieter, lower-emission maintenance equipment.

Individually, each machine has a clearly defined purpose. Collectively, they illustrate how turf maintenance is evolving. As expectations of playing surfaces continue to increase, success is often achieved not through one machine that does everything, but through specialist equipment designed to perform individual tasks exceptionally well. Whether establishing new surfaces, encouraging recovery or carrying out routine maintenance, these machines are built to complement existing equipment fleets and provide grounds teams with greater flexibility throughout the year.

Visitors to the Campey stand will be able to see each machine up close and discuss their applications with the company’s team, discovering how specialist equipment can make a significant difference to the quality and efficiency of modern turf management.

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GroundsFest unveils its 2026 free education programme

GroundsFest unveils its 2026 free education programme

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GroundsFest unveils its 2026 free education programme

GroundsFest has officially announced its 2026 education programme, with four dedicated seminar theatres delivering two days of free expert-led sessions covering the biggest topics affecting the grounds management, landscaping, local authority and sports turf sectors.

GroundsFest unveils its 2026 free education programme

GroundsFest unveils its 2026 free education programme

Taking place on 16 and 17 September at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, the CPD-focused programme has been designed to give visitors practical advice, fresh ideas and valuable insight they can implement straight away.

With no pre-booking required, visitors can simply turn up to the sessions they want to attend. However, with many talks expected to be extremely popular, arriving early is recommended to guarantee a seat.

Spread across four theatres located throughout Hall 1 and The Landscape Zone, the programme brings together leading industry professionals, researchers and practitioners to tackle some of the sector’s most pressing challenges. From climate resilience and emerging technologies to workforce development, AI, sustainability and business growth, there is something for every visitor.

Delivered in partnership with industry organisations including BIGGA and BALI, the programme features an impressive line-up of respected speakers. Among those taking to the Pitchcare stage in Hall 1 are Gary Barwell from Edgbaston Stadium, who will share his expertise on renovating turf following periods of extreme heat and drought stress, and Dr Jonathan Knowles from Leicester City FC Sports Turf Academy, who will discuss the growing importance of apprenticeships in developing the next generation of industry professionals.

In the BIGGA and DLF theatre visitors will hear from Glenn Kirby, Research Director at STRI, on the role of light in turf performance, while sessions from DLF, Mansfield Sand, Origin Amenity Solutions, ICL, Husqvarna and Aquatrols will explore the latest developments in turf science, topdressing, irrigation, battery technology and robotics.

The Landscape Zone theatre will focus on the future of landscaping, featuring discussions on autonomous equipment, resilient planting, healthier soils, battery-powered machinery and business development. Visitors can also gain practical advice on topics including AI for marketing, scaling a landscaping business, career development, recruitment and creating sustainable public spaces. The programme also includes fast-paced Landscape Careers Live recruitment sessions.

The BALI and HortWeek Theatre will host sessions that explore the rise of autonomous and battery-powered equipment, creating more resilient landscapes, the business case for BALI membership, recruitment and skills development, and the importance of well-designed outdoor spaces. The theatre will also host the prestigious GroundsFest Innovation Awards, celebrating the products that are pushing the industry forward.

Whether you’re responsible for sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens, parks, estates, landscaping projects or public spaces, the education programme has been developed to provide practical solutions to real-world challenges.

Bradley Tennant, Education Director of GroundsFest Academy, said:

“Education has always been a huge part of what GroundsFest is about. We wanted to create a programme that isn’t just informative, but genuinely useful for people working across every part of the industry. Together with our partners we’ve brought together leading experts who will be sharing practical knowledge, real experiences and forward-thinking ideas that visitors can immediately apply in their own roles. Best of all, every session is completely free to attend.”

GroundsFest takes place on 16 and 17 September 2026 at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Entry to the education programme is included with a free GroundsFest visitor pass, and there is no need to pre-book seminar sessions – simply arrive early to secure your place.

Register for FREE at www.groundsfest.com

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