Tag Archive for: Industry

SALTEX: Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress

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SALTEX: Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress: SALTEX 2024, Europe’s premier sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition will bring together industry-leading grounds professionals, volunteers, and exhibitors from across the globe.

Showcasing the latest innovations, trends, and practices in grounds management, landscaping, and environmental sustainability, the show will feature the industry’s biggest brands across three halls, attracting thousands of visitors for its 78th show.

SALTEX: Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress

SALTEX: Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress

As a not-for-profit organisation, the GMA, the association that organise SALTEX, has continually re-invested revenue generated from its annual exhibition back into the grounds management industry since its inauguration in 1938. Naturally, due to the success of the show year on year, that contribution continues to grow, further demonstrating how SALTEX continues to power progress in the industry.

“Each year, SALTEX plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of grounds care,” said Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA. “This year, we are focusing on uniting the industry and powering progress by providing a platform for professionals to connect, learn, and advance their skills.”

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR SALTEX 2024: THE PREMIER EVENT FOR GROUNDS CARE

Registration for SALTEX 2024 is officially open. Industry professionals are invited to secure their spot at the UK’s most anticipated event for grounds care, sports, amenities, estates, and green space management.

Unlocking Opportunities

SALTEX 2024 promises an expansive showcase of the latest innovations, technologies, and trends in the industry. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with experts, participate in SALTEX’s renowned Learning LIVE educational seminars, and have access to explore cutting-edge equipment.

Networking and Professional Growth

As the leading event in the industry, SALTEX offers unparalleled networking opportunities. Professionals and volunteers from various sectors, including turf and grounds care, landscaping, and facility management, will come together to share insights and forge new connections.

A Platform for Discovery

This year’s exhibition will feature a diverse range of exhibitors, presenting visitors with the chance to discover new products, services, and solutions that can drive efficiency and sustainability in their operations.

Sarah Hunter, SALTEX Head of Events commented: “We are thrilled to open registration for SALTEX 2024. Each year, we strive to elevate the experience for our visitors, and this year will be no exception. We look forward to welcoming industry professional and volunteers from across the globe.”

Register Today

Register today – Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of SALTEX 2024. SALTEX 2024 will take place on 30th and 31st October at the NEC, Birmingham.

Register now to confirm your attendance at this landmark event.

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 30th and 31st October 2024.

For more information and to register your interest to attend SALTEX 2024, visit https://www.saltex.org.uk/ .

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Industry supporters gather for Party for Perennial

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Industry supporters gather for Party for Perennial: Last week, the horticulture community came together for a night of camaraderie and generosity at Party for Perennial, hosted at Core Bar in London and proudly sponsored by Core Landscape Products. The event saw industry supporters unite in support of Perennial.

Guests enjoyed the evening, showing their support by purchasing raffle tickets and pledging their ongoing commitment by Digging Deep for Perennial in 2024 through a number of fundraising activities.

Industry supporters gather for Party for Perennial

Industry supporters gather for Party for Perennial

Jamie Gault, Perennial’s Chief Executive, says: “Our community can always be relied upon to pull together to make a difference to people in horticulture, Party for Perennial is a great example of this. Thank you to our generous supporters for joining us on this fabulous fundraising evening.”

The event not only provided a chance for networking and enjoyment but also served as an opportunity to raise awareness and fundraise for Perennial, which allows us to support individuals in horticulture and their families.

Manni Keates Managing Director of Core Landscape Products (pictured above) said: “A fantastic evening for a great cause, we’re pleased to support Perennial in all the vital work they do for our Industry.”

Katie Wood from VegTrug added: “Party for Perennial is a key networking event in the business calendar! A great night in London with the chance to catch up with so many industry friends, whilst also connecting with new contacts. All to support a great cause too.”

The success of Party for Perennial was further enhanced by the generosity of sponsors who donated raffle prizes, including:

• Joint membership for The Newt
• Yorkshire’s Finest Hamper – Mostrim UK
• A medium Veg trug – VegTrug Limited
• Burgon and Ball garden essentials kit
• Canterbury Cathedral family tour voucher
• A selection of tipples from Thatchers
• A 2024/25 season signed football short from Fulham FC
• A Perennial gift box with contributions from Bulldog

Perennial extends heartfelt thanks to all sponsors, donors, and attendees for their support.

Together, we reaffirm our commitment to making a positive impact and providing assistance to those in need within the horticulture community.

On 4 October we look forward to welcoming even more supporters to our Dig Deep Fundraising Lunch at The Cumberland, London. This is the charity’s new, feel-good fundraising lunch, hosted by James Alexander – Sinclair, with special guest Alan Titchmarsh.

Let’s come together as a community for this end-of-season fundraising highlight and celebrate your fundraising efforts together with Perennial in what is the charity’s 185th year.

The ticket price of £120 includes “cheers to you” fizz on arrival and a celebratory three-course meal with wine. Buy your ticket today or a table of 10.

perennial.org.uk/lunch

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Biggest Wellbeing Survey for UK Horticulture Industry

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Biggest Wellbeing Survey for UK Horticulture Industry: Perennial, the charity dedicated to supporting people in horticulture, is proud to announce the launch of its largest ever survey to gain a snapshot into the wellbeing of those working in the industry. 

Building on the success of the 2021 Health & Wellbeing Survey, Perennial is calling upon all those working across all sectors to participate in the 2024 survey as their feedback really will make a difference.

Biggest Wellbeing Survey for UK Horticulture Industry

Biggest Wellbeing Survey for UK Horticulture Industry

The charity wants to understand more about people’s daily lives, both inside and outside of work, and the pressures they may be facing – not only to develop their services but to inform others within the industry on the key issues and challenges being faced.

The anonymous survey will run from the 17th May until the end of June and is open to all sectors within horticulture. The results will be analysed and reported on by the University of Exeter and the findings shared with the industry this coming autumn.

For example, a key finding in 2021 was that 85% of people’s mental wellbeing was poor or below average. As a result, Perennial worked with key industry stakeholders to roll out a successful mental health first aid at work programme which saw nearly 100 people trained as mental health first aiders across 11 sectors and 48 companies.

Not only has this added to the number of people across the industry already qualified to provide invaluable support to their colleagues every day, it has widened the conversation and is helping to create a culture of positive mental wellbeing.

By sharing the survey findings, Perennial aims to support and empower the industry to take proactive steps to address such identified challenges. While acknowledging that not all issues can be solved single-handedly, Perennial believes in adopting a collaborative approach and working in partnership with the horticulture sector for positive change.

Julia Hayne, Perennial’s Director of Services, emphasised the importance of sector collaboration, stating, “The research will enable us to formulate more effective tools and support strategies to enhance wellbeing now and into the future. It’s a further step towards achieving our vision of building better futures for people working in horticulture and their families.”

Open to all who work in or have worked in horticulture, everyone is encouraged to take the time to complete the survey and to share with colleagues and friends from Friday 17th May 2024. 

perennial.org.uk/survey

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SALTEX 2024: Uniting the Industry

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SALTEX 2024: Uniting the Industry: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) proudly announces the return of SALTEX – the Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition for its 78th edition, under the theme of “Uniting the Industry, Powering Progress.” This year’s event is set to take place from 30th to 31st October at the NEC Birmingham, marking another milestone in the grounds care industry. 

SALTEX 2024 will bring together industry-leading grounds professionals, volunteers, and exhibitors from across the globe, showcasing the latest innovations, trends, and practices in grounds management, landscaping, and environmental sustainability.

SALTEX 2024: Uniting the Industry

SALTEX 2024: Uniting the Industry

This year’s theme is all about powering the industry; how SALTEX enables the industry to continually progress by bringing together people from all around the world and helping drive innovation, education, and networking. The show will feature the industry’s biggest brands across three halls, and attract thousands of visitors, reinforcing its status as the premier grounds management exhibition for sharing knowledge and driving industry growth.

“Each year, SALTEX plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of grounds care,” said Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA. “This year, we are focusing on uniting the industry and powering progress by providing a platform for professionals to connect, learn, and advance their skills.”

This year’s highly anticipated show will include a comprehensive programme including SALTEX’s renowned Learning LIVE schedule, where visitors can hear from the industry’s leading experts, as well as grounds care professionals from the country’s top sports grounds, covering industry hot topics. There will also be opportunities to speak with grassroots pitch advisors from the GMA and representatives from the National-Governing Bodies to receive technical advice as well as guidance on accessing much-needed funding and ways to upskill through the Grounds Management Framework. All this is in addition to the unrivalled opportunities to network, earn CPD points and speak to experts offering career advice.

Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial and Events at the GMA added, “Last year, over 7,900 visitors and over 400 brands attended SALTEX, with many more expected to attend this year.

“The feedback from last year’s exhibitors highlighted how SALTEX provides the platform for meeting high quality business leads as well as giving the opportunity of networking and entertaining with existing customers.”

Visitors can register their interest in attending SALTEX here: https://www.saltex.org.uk/register-interest-saltex-2024

Exhibitors wishing to secure their place at Europe’s premier sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition can contact saltexsales@thegma.org.uk.

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Lindum Turf up for prestigious industry award

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Lindum Turf up for prestigious industry award: A north Yorkshire turf grower has been nominated for an award at the world’s most prestigious gardening show for the second year in succession.

Lindum Turf, based at Thorganby near York, was named as the winner of the Sustainable Garden Product of the Year category at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year, for its plastic-free wildflower turf.

Lindum Turf up for prestigious industry award

Lindum Turf up for prestigious industry award

The turf, which can produce an instant wildflower meadow effect, is grown on a fully biodegradable growing medium, unlike many others that use a single-use plastic mesh that damages the environment.

This year, the company has been shortlisted in the same category for its latest innovation – Species Rich Turf – a mixture of hardy grasses and wildflowers that can directly replace a monoculture grass lawn.

As with wildflower turf, Species Rich is also entirely plastic free, ensuring that laying it does not damage the environment in any way.

Lindum Turf managing director, Stephen Fell, said to be nominated two years in succession was a great honour.

Chelsea Flower Show is the pinnacle achievement for both garden designers and suppliers into the industry, meaning winning at the prestigious event is a huge source of pride.

Mr Fell said: “Being nominated at Chelsea last year, and then winning, was a tremendous achievement and testament to the hard work and innovation the team at Lindum Turf dedicate to creating new and sustainable products.

“Our wildflower turf is not only plastic free, meaning no single use plastics are buried in the soil to degrade into microplastics, it also provides a rich diversity of flora that attracts vital pollinators.

“Our Species Rich Turf builds on this idea, but with the addition of some hardy grass varieties to make it robust enough to replace a normal family lawn.

“The turf can withstand being walked on and played on, but adds a large diversity of plants to a garden making it much more ecologically beneficial than a monocrop lawn. It’s a great way to maximise the environmental benefits of your garden without compromising on utility.”

Lindum Turf will have to wait for the show, which takes place from May 21-25 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, to find out if they have won.

Some turf producers grow turf with a plastic-reinforced mesh incorporated, which helps to keep it together when being lifted, but the mesh is buried in the soil once the turf is laid leaving it to break down into microplastics which pollute the soil and even nearby watercourses.

Last year, Stephen Fell challenged the industry to remove single use plastics in turf as it is environmentally damaging.

The Chelsea Flower Show has already banned plastic bags, floral foam, and plastic artificial turf across its shows and is aiming for the complete removal of single use plastics by 2025.

It holds the Sustainable Garden Product of the Year category to encourage and highlight innovation in this area and reward companies doing the best work.

Mr Fell described single use plastics as the antithesis of environmentally friendly garden.

He said: “People want to create wildflower meadows because of the beautiful colours and because they provide the type of biodiversity we need to help restore nature.

“This aim is entirely inconsistent with burying harmful plastics in the ground so it is high time the industry fully addressed this issue.”

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