Tag Archive for: Event

GroundsFest Academy Launches with Successful First Event

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GroundsFest Academy Launches with Successful First Event: The first ever GroundsFest Academy event has been hailed a huge success, as delegates from across the industry gathered for a free day of hands-on education at DLF UK’s state-of-the-art facility. With a packed schedule of insightful sessions and interactive learning, the event marked the beginning of a new era in accessible, high-quality training for the grounds care and landscaping sectors.

The day kicked off with a welcome reception and a full introduction to DLF and the hosts for the day, followed by a series of educational activities including seed and grass plant identification, germination tests, and a pre-germination session. After a tour of the DLF site, the afternoon was dedicated to sowing, aftercare and maintenance techniques, rounded off with a recap and open Q&A.

GroundsFest Academy Launches with Successful First Event

GroundsFest Academy Launches with Successful First Event

Each session was designed to give attendees practical skills and a deeper understanding of seed science – knowledge they could take away and apply immediately in their work. From seasoned professionals to volunteers and educators, the event offered something for everyone.

David Newell, Deputy Head Groundsman at Reading FC, praised the event’s unique approach:

“You never know what to expect from a new event but it has been really educational. It’s different to anything you get anywhere else – learning all about the different varieties of seed, what they do and why they do it, has been fantastic. The wildflower seeding talk was very educational too. Our football club wants to start doing that, so hopefully I can take that back and give something back to Reading FC.”

For Jo Shepherd, Horticulture Apprenticeship Skills Coach at Windsor College, the day was a valuable upskilling opportunity:

“I teach horticulture apprentices – many of them love turf – and my background is more in garden design and maintenance, so I wanted to upskill myself to better support them.

Identifying grasses was a great experience; it’s much harder than plant ID. Seeing the site and understanding the production side was really helpful too.”

The event also attracted professionals from outside of traditional turf roles. Rich Young, Product Director at Mowd, highlighted the networking and CPD value:

“DLF are one of our seed suppliers, so seeing their operation and the science behind it was eye-opening. It’s reassuring to know our customers are getting the best. But for me, the value came from networking and learning – that’s going to benefit me and the business throughout the year.”

Mike Green, a volunteer groundsman at Winterborne Cricket Club, represented the grassroots level of the industry and found the day equally rewarding:

“Free educational days like this are a massive help for volunteers like me. I picked up loads of useful info, spoke to people working in sports turf, and just found the day incredibly beneficial. It’s been a really successful day for me.”

The GroundsFest Academy is the latest initiative from the team behind GroundsFest, made possible through reinvestment of profits from the show directly back into the industry.

Bradley Tennant, Director of Education for GroundsFest Academy, said:

“There’s a big skills gap in the industry, and the GroundsFest Academy has been created to help address that. Whether someone is new to the sector or has decades of experience, these events are designed to support ongoing development. Seeing everyone smiling, learning and sharing knowledge today has been incredible – and it’s just the beginning.”

Matt Gresty, MM and Designer Sales and Brand Manager at DLF UK, added:

“We felt honoured to be asked to host the first event. It’s great to show what we do, but even better to contribute to education and understanding in the industry. It is good to give something back to the industry. From wildflower seeds to sports turf, we want to help people improve their work through better knowledge.”

This is just the first of many free educational events from the GroundsFest Academy, with future events already planned.

Keep an eye out for announcements on upcoming GroundsFest Academy events – and take your place at the forefront of industry education.

Registration to GroundsFest 2025 is now open. Please visit www.groundsfest.com

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

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PSD Groundscare celebrate exclusive dealer event

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PSD Groundscare celebrate exclusive dealer event: PSD Groundscare are celebrating a highly successful Exclusive Dealer Training Event at Meriden, Birmingham. The two-day event (18th & 19th March) saw PSD presenting, to their dealer network, new innovations to complement their existing portfolio.

The event was led by the PSD team and included a mix of supplier presentations featuring company histories and product training, which was followed by a hands-on opportunity to try the machinery for themselves.

PSD Groundscare celebrate exclusive dealer event

PSD Groundscare celebrate exclusive dealer event

The dealer partners had the ability to see PSD’s extensive professional product range, plus new innovations, including the expanded range of SABO Equipment, the all-new Hornet RC Flail Mower from EcoTech, Eliet’s new Ecocure Pedestrian Top-dresser, Honda engine Options for Grin Mowers, Koeppl’s unique range of Battery Two Wheeled Tractors and much more.

PSD specialise in various market sectors including long grass and steep slope mowing, turf renovation, green waste shredding and weed removal. The extensive product range includes various petrol engine and battery products.

Training was a key focus of the event, in keeping with PSD’s philosophy that through such training, partners obtain the knowledge and confidence to discuss the equipment in detail with their customers and to offer the best solutions for their individual requirements.

The event was supported in attendance by manufacturers including SABO, represented by Managing Director, Lars Daniel & Pierre Janotta, ELIET, represented by CEO Frederic Lietaer & Gracienne Geenens, EcoTech, represented by Giacomo Facaccia & Michela Tranquillo and GRIN, represented by Stefano Corti.

The day took place at the Forest of Arden Hotel, with sessions both indoors and outdoors with some fantastic weather, making for a highly successful event with an impressive turnout.

Stuart Mercer, Sales Director for PSD said:

“The aim of the event was to bring our dealers partners fully up to speed with what’s new and to ensure that they are well prepared for the season and to provide them with the opportunity to interact directly with our suppliers.”

“At PSD, we always pride ourselves on offering our customers a wide range of events and we were excited again to be able to showcase our range of equipment.”

“We’re absolutely delighted with how well the dealer event went. We not only had a great turn out from Dealers who were very keen to see what’s new, we had some amazing feedback, and it was wonderful to catch up with everyone.”

PSD offers BAGMA dealer staff training, and LANTRA training for their end user customers.

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Future Workforce Inspired At Schools Into Stadia Event

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Future Workforce Inspired At Schools Into Stadia Event: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) NextGen group inspired the next generation of groundspeople at its Schools Into Stadia event at the prestigious All England Club.

As part of #GroundsWeek 2025, the event provided local secondary school students with a hands-on experience of life as a grounds professional at one of the world’s most renowned sporting venues.

Future Workforce Inspired At Schools Into Stadia Event

Future Workforce Inspired At Schools Into Stadia Event

With workforce development a priority for the industry, this initiative continues to play a crucial role in engaging young people and encouraging them to consider careers in grounds management.

The students had the opportunity to meet and learn from All England Club’s experienced grounds team, including Will Brierley, Senior Groundsman. Through practical sessions and insights from experts, students also gained an understanding of the essential work that goes into maintaining elite sports surfaces.

Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chair, said: “It was fantastic to see so many young people engaging with the profession and getting hands-on experience at such an iconic venue. Events like Schools Into Stadia are instrumental in introducing young people to the opportunities within the industry, and we are really pleased with the interest that was shown by all who attended.”

Neil Stubley, Head of Courts and Horticulture at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, and GMA Board Member, said: “Schools Into Stadia provided a fantastic opportunity to spark the interest of the next generation of Grounds Managers. The technical skills required in this industry are often overlooked, so teaching local students about the year-round maintenance of our grass courts was a great way to showcase the pivotal work that goes on behind the scenes to host The Championships, and most of all, inspire future careers in the profession.”

Fiona Harb, Head of Year 12 at Southfields Academy, said: “Educationally it was really good for our students. They were able to experience talks and hands on experience. For the students at our school, most of them have never been anywhere like this (All England Club) so it’s a real eye opener for them. It’s an industry that makes our students realise what goes on behind the scenes at these sporting venues.”

The proportion of under-35s in the grounds management sector has risen significantly in recent years, and the positive trend highlights the importance of continued engagement with events such as Schools Into Stadia, ensuring that young people are aware of the rewarding career paths available.

#GroundsWeek, running until Sunday 23 March 2025, continues to celebrate and recognise the crucial role of grounds staff across the UK. For more information on how to support the initiative, visit thegma.org.uk/groundsweek.

For more information about the GMA NextGen, please visit thegma.org.uk/who/ambassadors.

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Toro U.K. Limited Hosts Exclusive Dealer Event

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Toro U.K. Limited Hosts Exclusive Dealer Event: Toro U.K. Limited proudly welcomed ten of its Pro Dealers to the Toro Headquarters in Minneapolis for an exclusive event aimed at strengthening partnerships and showcasing the company’s latest innovations.

During their visit, dealers explored Toro’s advanced test facilities, where they witnessed rigorous product testing and development. The group also toured the Toro factory in Windom, gaining firsthand insights into the manufacturing processes that ensure Toro products meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

Toro U.K. Limited Hosts Exclusive Dealer Event

Toro U.K. Limited Hosts Exclusive Dealer Event

“The opportunity to connect with our Pro Dealers and provide them with a behind-the-scenes look at our operations is invaluable,” said Craig Hoare, UK Sales & Marketing Manager at Toro U.K. Limited. “We are committed to our dealers’ success, and these interactions foster collaboration and innovation.”

In addition to the informative sessions, the dealers enjoyed an exciting outing to watch the Minnesota Twins take on the Milwaukee Brewers. Dealers witnessed Toro’s long-standing partnership with the Minnesota Twins seeing in action on the pitch a large range of Toro machinery. The visit culminated with a relaxing evening cruising on Lake Minnetonka, further enhancing relationships in a casual setting.

Toro U.K. Limited is dedicated to empowering its dealers with knowledge and resources to better serve their customers. This event not only reinforced existing partnerships but also showcased the commitment Toro has to its dealer network.

For more information about Toro U.K. Limited and its products, please visit www.toro.co.uk.

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John Deere military event shines light on machinery careers

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John Deere military event shines light on machinery careers: John Deere has seen an influx of applications to its Military Hiring Programme after hosting a bespoke event for service leavers involving dealers from across the UK.

Held at the company’s UK headquarters in Langar, Nottinghamshire, the event gave armed forces personnel the chance to have detailed discussions about what the next stage of their career could look like working with one the world’s biggest machinery manufacturers.

John Deere military event shines light on machinery careers

John Deere military event shines light on machinery careers

The ground-breaking resettlement programme for military service personnel offers new career opportunities working on some of the world’s most advanced agricultural and professional groundscare products.

Members of the armed forces have been identified as ideal candidates to bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles within UK and Ireland dealerships as many have already worked with systems and products similar to those used by John Deere.

Those who enrol onto the programme are put into contact with an individual from the John Deere network who have resettled themselves, who will guide them through the next steps which includes free training courses before finding employment with a John Deere dealer.

“What was really successful about the day was the amount of conversation between military personnel and dealers,” says Allan Cochran, Branch Training Manager for John Deere.

“Everybody wanted to talk, everybody wanted to engage with the event, and I think everyone that was there, both military and dealers, got something out of it.”

The event drew a positive number of applications to the Military Hiring Programme, with 23 ex-servicemen now waiting for the next step to start their new career with John Deere.

The Military Hiring Programme has drawn interest from across the country, with attendees travelling from not just the surrounding Midlands, but also from as far as Cornwall and Scotland.

“To have people coming from all the country is really great to see,” says Allan. “We have dealers in all corners of the nation, and with the largest proportion of people wanting to resettle wherever they are based now, we can make that happen.”

As well as dealers and staff, attendees also had the opportunity to listen to those who had been through the Military Hiring Programme themselves and were now a part of the dealership network. Ex-servicemen Martin Frodsham, Will Foster and Mike Rogers spoke about their journey and what their career has been like since leaving the armed forces and becoming technicians.

Attendees also heard from John Deere instructors who showed them the machines that they would be working on should they apply to join John Deere, with a focus on precision agriculture and what the future looks like for agricultural technology.

The event was supported by ten John Deere dealers, including Thomas Sheriff, Cornthwaite Group, Ripon Farm Services, Ben Burgess, Tuckwells, Farol, Tallis Amos Group, Hunt Forest Group, Smallridge Bros, and Masons Kings.

Interested service members and ex-service members can apply to the Military Hiring Programme at any time online by visiting www.deere.com/JDMHP, or contact John Deere for more information.

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