Tag Archive for: GMA

GMA appoints One Agency

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GMA appoints One Agency: Following a successful competitive tender, Norwich-based marketing agency, OneAgency, has been appointed by the Grounds Management Association (GMA) to lead the marketing communications activity for this year’s SALTEX. 

Now in its 76th year, Europe’s largest sports, amenities and landscaping trade exhibition, SALTEX, will be held at Birmingham’s NEC over two days on 2-3 November.

GMA appoints One Agency

GMA appoints One Agency

GMA commercial and events director, Sarah Cunningham says: “We have every confidence that OneAgency’s digital-led, integrated marcomms approach will help us to realise our ambitions to attract record visitors and make this year’s SALTEX one of the best yet.

“People are keen to get back to face-to-face events, to network with industry colleagues, learn about the latest innovations, and see what manufacturers and industry suppliers have to offer. We are delighted to welcome the OneAgency team into the SALTEX family.”

OneAgency account director, Liz Cooper says: “This is an exciting win for the agency. Our work for the GMA will call upon the distinctive creative, digital and PR disciplines that we have within the agency. We know SALTEX well as we have attended with exhibiting clients for a long time. We now look forward to working with the team at the GMA to boost both engagement and numbers from exhibitors and visitors alike.”

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GMA boosts commercial & communications capabilities

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GMA boosts commercial & communications capabilities: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has welcomed two new Directors to its senior leadership team as the association embarks on a period of investment for growth.

With the support of its Chairman and board, the GMA has appointed Sarah Cunningham as Director of Commercial & Events and Andrea McMahon as the new Director of Communications. Both will play a key role in delivering the association’s strategy.

GMA boosts commercial & communications capabilities

GMA boosts commercial & communications capabilities

Sarah has spent over a decade managing large-scale trade events primarily in the media industry and within not-for-profit organisations, previously working for the association in an interim capacity to support the successful return of SALTEX in 2021. Sarah’s experience and leadership will add significant value to the team delivering the grounds care industry’s largest, must-attend trade exhibition, SALTEX, as well as helping to extend the GMA’s products and services to those operating in and with the sector.

Andrea brings multi-sector communications experience to the association having held senior communications roles in high-profile public and not-for-profit organisations, including in a membership trade association, central government departments and law enforcement organisations having previously spent over a decade in the private sector. Andrea will help the GMA to reach new audiences and raise the profile of the valuable contribution made by volunteers and professionals who makes sport possible at grassroots, amateur and elite level.

Grounds Management Association CEO, Geoff Webb says:

“We’re delighted to have Sarah and Andrea join the GMA family. They both have extensive experience in their fields and will be a great addition to the team. With almost all stands already taken and industry colleagues embracing a return to normality post-pandemic, we are seeing signs that SALTEX 2022 will be busier than the 2021 show and provide the perfect opportunity to showcase our sector, network, and celebrate those working in it. With the return of other events, like the GMA Industry Awards, we look forward to building on the success of 2021 and working towards creating a better future for the grounds care sector.”

To contact Sarah about SALTEX, awards sponsorship or other commercial opportunities, please email scunningham@thegma.org.uk.

For enquiries relating to GMA communications activity, please email Andrea at amcmahon@thegma.org.uk.

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GMA launches 2022 Industry Awards

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GMA launches 2022 Industry Awards: The GMA is inviting nominations to recognise the contribution of volunteers and professionals working across the grounds care industry. Winners will be announced at the association’s annual awards dinner at the Birmingham Vox Conference Centre on 2 November.

Marking a return following the outbreak of the pandemic, this year’s awards ceremony will provide the perfect opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues and recognise the outstanding performance of individuals and teams across the grounds care sector.

GMA launches 2022 Industry Awards

GMA launches 2022 Industry Awards

Nomination categories have been expanded this year to include:

  1. Origin Amenity Solutions Young Grounds Person of the Year
  2. Newcomer of the Year
  3. Kubota UK & Redexim Volunteer Sports Grounds Team/Individual of the Year
  4. Community Sports Grounds Team/Individual of the Year
  5. Bowls / Croquet Grounds Team/Individual of the Year
  6. Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year
  7. Best Environmental and Sustainability Impact
  8. Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year
  9. Infinicut Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year
  10. Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year
  11. Professional Rugby Football League Grounds Team of the Year
  12. Professional Rugby Football Union Grounds Team of the Year
  13. AMS Robotics Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (A)
  14. SGL Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (B)
  15. University/College Grounds Team of the Year
  16. Independent School Grounds Team of the Year
  17. International Impact Award

Nominations must be submitted via an online form before 17.00 on Friday 29 July 2022.

Grounds Management Association CEO, Geoff Webb says:

“The association’s Industry Awards has long been a prestigious stage to recognise the achievements of those working in the grounds care sector at all levels. This year’s ceremony feels particularly special after an incredibly challenging few years. The event gives us the opportunity to come together, reflect on what has been achieved, and celebrate those who work tirelessly to make sport possible.”

To discuss sponsorship and other brand partnership opportunities, email Grounds Management Association Director of Commercial and Events, Sarah Cunningham at scunningham@thegma.org.uk.

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GMA pushes for guidance change

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GMA pushes for guidance change: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has written to the Government to request a change to the recently published Guidance on Changes to rebated fuels entitlement, which fails to be inclusive of all sports when citing exemptions to the new red diesel legislation.

In a letter to HMRC and HM Treasury, GMA Chief Executive, Geoff Webb reminds policymakers of the commitment made in the Reform of red diesel and other rebated fuels entitlement Policy paper published in November 2021, which made clear that there would not be a withdrawal of an entitlement to use red diesel in areas such as heating and sports.

GMA pushes for guidance change

GMA pushes for guidance change

“We are calling for wording within the guidance to be changed to replace the multiple references to “golf courses and driving ranges” with a more inclusive term that reflects the HMRC’s original intention to maintain the rebate entitlement across the wider sporting community, says Geoff Webb.

“It is not acceptable to exempt only one sport when there are many other sports facilities with turf surfaces that rely on red diesel to fuel essential machinery and specialist vehicles to maintain grounds to a safe, accessible, and satisfactory standard.

“Grassroots, community, and professional clubs, as well as educational establishments will be hit hard with increased costs if this guidance does not get amended.

“The GMA remains fully supportive of the Government’s net zero ambitions and understands the rationale behind pulling fiscal levers to deliver environmental goals. It is, however, crucial that policymakers are fair and avoid inadvertently imposing punitive taxes that will have an adverse effect on individuals, organisations, and communities.”

The GMA will continue to engage with the Government on this matter and encourages others to write to local MPs to reiterate the points made in the association’s letter.

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GMA Awards relaunch for 2022

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GMA Awards relaunch for 2022: Following the launch of the Grounds Management Association’s Hall of Fame, the association relaunches the GMA Awards (previously IOG Awards) with the ceremony taking place this November at The Vox, Birmingham.

Last year, the awards were on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic, which gave GMA members and the industry the opportunity to focus on challenging maintenance diaries. In 2022, the GMA Awards hosts 19 categories to cover the broad spectrum of its members, including the Volunteer Sports Grounds Team/Individual of the Year Award, the Best Environmental and Sustainability Impact Award and the renowned Alex R Millar Award.

GMA Awards relaunch for 2022

GMA Awards relaunch for 2022

With turf care quickly growing its media presence and public interest, the GMA has also looked at ways to make the awards more accessible to those at all levels of grounds care or turf management, from grassroots to professional stadiums. This includes, for the first time, applicants having the option to submit a short video to the set questions and criteria, instead of completing a written form.

The full list of categories for this year’s GMA Awards is as follows:

  1. Young Grounds Person of the year
  2. Newcomer of the Year
  3. Volunteer Sports Grounds Team/Individual of the Year
  4. Community Sports Grounds Team/Individual of the Year
  5. Bowls / Croquet Grounds Team/Individual of the Year
  6. Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year
  7. Best Environmental and Sustainability Impact
  8. Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year
  9. Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year
  10. Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year
  11. Professional Rugby Football League Grounds Team of the Year
  12. Professional Rugby Football Union Grounds Team of the Year
  13. Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (A)
  14. Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (B)
  15. University/College Grounds Team of the Year
  16. Independent School Grounds Team of the Year
  17. International Impact Award
  18. Alex R Millar Award
  19. Induction to Hall of Fame

Commenting on the return of the GMA Awards, GMA CEO Geoff Webb says:

“Last year, we recognised that entering the GMA Awards was not a priority for many grounds staff and volunteers, but with growing post-COVID-19 optimism we warmly welcome everyone back to celebrate their achievements in 2022. Both paid grounds staff and volunteers are the backbone of sport and physical activity, and our new award categories aim to make the applications more inclusive and easier to enter for all.”

Nominations for the GMA Awards 2022 open from midday Tuesday 3 May. Judges will be announced later this year with tickets on sale for the ceremony from summer.

Award nominations will open on Tuesday 3 May. Nominees will receive an award application, which they can complete in written or video format. These will then be judged by an independent panel of experts which will be announced later this year.

Deadline for nominations is Friday 29 July 2022, and the deadline for applications is Monday 8 August.

For more information, please visit https://thegma.org.uk/awards where you can sign-up for further updates.

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