Tag Archive for: Exhibitors

SAGE opens for early bird exhibitors

SAGE opens for early bird exhibitors: The UK’s biggest outdoor trade show for the sports and grounds maintenance industry, SAGE, (19th – 20th July 2023) has opened its books to exhibitors for 2023, with exclusive discounts for those who book their space early.

Hosted at the stunning Three Counties venue in Malvern, Worcestershire, SAGE focuses on live demonstrations and experiences, which is a unique draw for exhibitors and visitors, granting them the opportunity to thoroughly “try before they buy”.  The show returns in 2023, with sponsorship from Weibang® UK, and is set to be a highlight of the year for the sports and outdoor maintenance industries, offering visitors and businesses the chance to get hands-on with products to see how they perform.

SAGE opens for early bird exhibitors

SAGE opens for early bird exhibitors

Speaking of how SAGE has been developed and enhanced for 2023, Exhibition Manager, Vicky Panniers stated: “We’re so excited that SAGE is returning in 2023. We have had a great response from previous exhibitors and are really looking forward to being joined by many new names too.

“There has been a great deal of work put into SAGE to develop the show for 2023 to offer more for exhibitors and visitors, including the development of a new and improved website, which includes a fantastic service directory. On top of this, we have appointed a new, specialist PR agency to support with brand and event awareness to attract more visitors. We have also already secured a great deal of interest from new sectors.”

Sustainability is an important focus for the 2023 event, and it will proudly play host to the Sustainability Solutions for Grounds Specialists Summit live, in partnership with GRASS, and show organisers will be setting sustainability targets for SAGE to meet. It is also the nominated home event for the new forum GRASS, who will play a key role in the Sustainability section.

Discussing the show, Head of Environmental and Sustainability Stadia Projects at Bio-Circle, Mark Tomlinson commented: “As an exhibitor, I value an outdoor show and the space SAGE offers to bring live working demonstrations to the industry. This is exactly what the industry has asked for and brings quality visitors to a trade show who can see my products and services in action.”

Stands are currently available with a 15% early bird discount until 11th November. Early birds will also benefit from a free demonstration plot (where available) and free entry into the all-new online service directory – maximising their exposure and enhancing their promotion to visitors.

This year’s SAGE has got all the pieces in place to make it a landmark event in the groundscare calendar.

For more information, or to book exhibition space, please visit sportsandgrounds.events or contact Vicky Panniers vp@sportsandgrounds.co.uk.

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Exhibitors continue to invest in SALTEX

Exhibitors continue to invest in SALTEX: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) reveals that almost 90% of SALTEX 2022 stand space has been sold.

Early indications for SALTEX 2022, which takes place on 2 and 3 November at the NEC, Birmingham, are extremely positive after show organisers reported a hugely successful loyalty period.

Exhibitors continue to invest in SALTEX

Exhibitors continue to invest in SALTEX

Over 100 exhibitors have re-booked for SALTEX 2022 and many more continue to confirm their presence during the current discounted early-bird period which ends on 18 February.

In 2021, 93% of exhibitors generated new sales leads with many taking direct orders on the show floor. The 2022 floorplan already boasts a strong showing of renowned exhibitors.

Furthermore, an incredible 15% of 2021 exhibitors have also purchased extra stand space for SALTEX 2022 which is testament to the success of the 2021 event.

Cramer, who exhibited at SALTEX 2021, has over doubled the size of its stand for SALTEX 2022. Cramer, supported and distributed by Handy, used SALTEX 2021 as a launch platform to promote its 82V range of commercial ground care equipment.

“SALTEX 2021 went way beyond our expectations,” said Handy’s Sales and Marketing Director, Mark Moseley. “What really opened our eyes was the quality of visitor and the heightened interest in the Cramer products. On our stand we had a lot of large dealers which is what we were looking for; we had big contractors, who are the kind of people we need to be talking to; and we spoke to many councils that want to convert from petrol to battery powered products.

“It was one of the busiest shows we have ever experienced,” continued Mark. “In fact, we took a certain number of catalogues that we thought would last us for two days, and they were all gone within the first two hours of the show opening. We’re still following up on all the leads we received at SALTEX, and we have carried out so many demonstrations. We have already brought on-board a lot of new customers and dealers because of SALTEX.

“Our experience of SALTEX 2021 has given us the confidence to go bigger at SALTEX 2022 and to take advantage of the quality of clientele.”

Toro UK is exhibiting with a bigger stand at SALTEX 2022 and Matthew Colman, Sales Manager, revealed exactly why.

“SALTEX 2021 was a great success for us at Toro UK Ltd. Finally, we had the chance to showcase new and innovative products within our landscape contracting equipment.

“It is with huge excitement that we’re going even bigger at this year’s SALTEX. During the pandemic Toro invested more on development than ever before. Our stand at SALTEX 2022 will be displaying everything we’ve been working on over the last few years for the first time in the UK.”

Comments such as these can only be a reflection on the growing number of exhibitors in the 2022 show. After a year’s absence STIHL UK, Barrus and Vale Engineering have also confirmed that they are returning to SALTEX 2022.

Geoff Webb, GMA CEO, commented on the positive start, saying: “SALTEX continues to grow, and the sales team are receiving new enquiries every week alongside existing exhibitors investing in bigger and additional stands.

“We are also delighted to be welcoming back previous exhibitors who were unable to join us in 2021. There is extremely high demand at this period in the sales cycle taking us back to pre-pandemic levels.”

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors

SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors: The SALTEX 2021 post-show survey confirms the exhibition’s place as the must-attend event for everyone involved in grounds management and turf care.

This year, 93% of exhibitors said SALTEX generated new sales leads, while 96% believed SALTEX was perfect for promoting and maintaining their company profile. In addition, 81% of exhibitors said that exhibiting at SALTEX was important to their overall business strategy and 82% believed it was a perfect opportunity to meet existing customers.

SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors

SALTEX hailed a success by exhibitors

When asked to rate their primary target audiences, the below sectors received the highest number of responses

  • Professional sports – 48%
  • Local authorities, councils, parish, town planning – 48%
  • Contractors – land construction, grounds – 41%
  • School, colleges, universities – 40%
  • Dealers, distributors, retailers – 40%
  • Landscapers – 33%

Furthermore, 71% of exhibitors stated that they will be returning to exhibit at SALTEX 2022.

In fact, many have already rebooked with a large percentage increasing the size of their stand. An influx of debut exhibitors has also been reported by the Grounds Management Association (GMA).

“For us it is the number one grounds industry show,” said Les Malin, managing director of Etesia UK. “There are a number of other exhibitions, but they tend to have their own sector that they work in. SALTEX on the other hand attracts a mix of customers right the way through the entire grounds industry.”

Ray McNally from AS Tractors chose SALTEX to launch Mitsubishi Tractors to the UK market and wasn’t disappointed. “This is our launch, and it has gone beyond our expectations,” he said. “Everyone in the horticultural and grounds industries attend this show and these are the demographics Mitsubishi Tractors is targeting. It’s the perfect platform for us and it has been wonderful.”

It was the first SALTEX for Origin Amenity Solutions since bringing together four major industry brands and Richard Fry, marketing manager, was feeling positive. “There was a lot of soul searching and sleepless nights before the opening day of SALTEX, but wow, it has been fantastic. There has been a two-year break since the last show, but the industry has responded. We are very pleased and there has been great footfall from the get-go.”

SALTEX 2021 celebrated its 75th anniversary and remarkably there were two companies on the show floor that have exhibited at all 75 shows – Lloyds & Co and Dennis Mowers.

“We value the loyalty that the Grounds Management Association has always shown us, and we’ve always stuck with them,” said Clive Nottingham, managing director of Lloyds & Co.

“I’m pleased that so many people have come through the door, and it has been a lively show. We’ve had lots of conversations, and there will be lots of quotations, enquiries and work to follow up.”

Ian Howard, managing director of Dennis Mowers also underlined the importance of exhibiting at SALTEX. “I think it is critical to come and meet existing customers, to meet new customers and to listen to what people have got to say. It is the customers that come up with the innovations at the end of the day and every Dennis product that we have got, both petrol and electric, is a result of what customers have said to us. SALTEX is an investment for the future.”

SALTEX 2022 will be held at the NEC, Birmingham on 2-3 November.

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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New Exhibitors At Turf Maintenance Live

New Exhibitors At Turf Maintenance Live: Two new companies, Agria UK and Price Turfcare, are exhibiting at Turf Maintenance Live in October, joining the established group that includes Ernest Doe & Sons, GKB Machines, Husqvarna UK, Iseki UK, Martin Lishman, Rigby Taylor, Wessex International and Wiedenmann UK.

Registration is now open for this annual showcase from the leading manufacturers and distributors of turf maintenance equipment, which is being held at the Woollam Playing Fields, Harpenden Rd in St. Albans on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 October.

New Exhibitors At Turf Maintenance Live

Entrance to the event, now in its fifth year, is free but pre-registration is essential with BIGGA and IOG members able claim CPD points for their attendance.

Visitors interested in attending the event and seeing the latest innovations and equipment in action can register by completing a registration form online at: https://www.turfmaintenancelive.com/ or email register@turfmaintenancelive.com .

Explaining why he made the decision to join the Turf Maintenance Live team this year, Rupert Price of Price Turfcare said,

“We have been distributing the Ventrac 4500 compact tractor and its range of attachments for just two and half years and, in that short time, it has been extremely well received by the UK groundscare industry. What we have learned is that prospective customers have to see the machine, up close and personal, to fully appreciate its versatility and that’s why we’ve come on board. We’re hoping that we can demonstrate its capabilities to as many people as possible at St. Albans in October.”

Jason Bristow of Agri UK added,

“Like Price Turfcare, we are new to the UK market and this is the obvious event to demonstrate the range of equipment that we have to offer groundscare sector. Unlike SALTEX, which we will be attending later in October, the visitors here can see the equipment in a working environment and gain a comprehensive understanding of their features and benefits. We’re looking forward to seeing as many prospective buyers as possible across the two days.”

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Lead Success For SALTEX Exhibitors

Lead Success For SALTEX Exhibitors: Five months on from SALTEX 2018, exhibitors are continuing to report a high conversion rate from leads they generated at the NEC last year.

SALTEX 2018 served up a show to remember at the NEC, Birmingham, with exhibitors hailing it as the most rewarding exhibition to date. Sales teams have since been working on converting a high volume of leads into new customers and many companies have reported hugely successful results.

Lead Success For SALTEX Exhibitors

Net World Sports, a sporting equipment designer and manufacturer, made its first appearance at SALTEX 2018 and it was an excellent debut, according to specialist sales and development lead Robbie Hayter.

“SALTEX 2018 has been a phenomenal platform for us, so much so that we’ve already booked our stand for 2019 and have secured an even bigger space.

“At the show we unveiled our new FORZA Alu110 360° football goal wheels which attracted huge interest from football clubs. We have since sold a large number to Premier League and leading international clubs.

“SALTEX allowed for the introduction to many established pitch contractors and we are now working on one project which includes supplying FORZA Alu110 goals and two-tier shelters to Colliers Park, Wrexham (FAW National Training Centre) in collaboration with CLS Sport.

“We also had the opportunity to network with many top grounds people and have already supplied and installed indoor football protection netting for West Ham United FC’s indoor academy training centre – a lead that came from SALTEX.”

Net World Sports was not the only exhibitor to gain valuable connections with Premier League clubs at SALTEX 2018. Fivesquared, a brand of Earlsmere, is a vibration management provider, and director Jeremy Hoyle claims that the company has benefited from engaging with such a diverse audience.

“The quality of visitor seems to be better than ever and there was a great mix covering all avenues of grounds and sports turf. As a result of SALTEX we have picked up some fantastic work within the Premier League as well as from a large number of schools and colleges.”

Garden & Hire Spares has also reported an increase in sales since exhibiting at SALTEX 2018 according to sales and marketing director Malcom Mullender.

“We picked up a couple of major national accounts as a direct result of having a stand at SALTEX and have seen an increase in sales from a number of accounts. We have already committed to have the same stand at SALTEX 2019.”

Laurie Davies, director of SPA Power Machinery, revealed that the company is placing more orders with suppliers just to keep up with the demand for the products that were launched at SALTEX 2018.

“At SALTEX we launched our new range of Westermann weed and moss brushes which has been highly successful. We are now placing regular orders with the German suppliers and have received great feedback from customers who have purchased since the show.”

Overton UK increased its presence at SALTEX 2018 by taking three stands and that decision has already been justified according to director Guy Overton.

“SALTEX was an exceptionally busy and successful exhibition for Overton UK, especially for the Mean Green electric commercial mowers, which attracted new dealers and led to many demonstration enquiries. We also launched the new Overton battery powered vacuum litter collectors and as always, the NIMOS WeedRippers got a lot of attention.

“Since SALTEX we have also received a large number of orders for the electric mowers, litter vacuums and the WeedRippers.”

Commenting on the success of the SALTEX exhibitors, Charles Neale, event sales manager, said: “We understand that exhibitions are all about brand awareness and gaining a return on investment. Exhibiting at SALTEX provides the platform for success in all areas.

“It’s great to hear that over 90 per cent of our SALTEX 2018 exhibitors obtained new business at the show and re-bookings for SALTEX 2019 stands are already over 80 per cent.”

SALTEX 2019 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on October 30 and 31.

For more information visit www.iogsaltex.com

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @IOG_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/IOGSALTEX

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