Tag Archive for: Open

Registration open for SALTEX 2025

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Registration open for SALTEX 2025: Registration is now officially open for SALTEX 2025, the flagship event for the European grounds management industry, returning to the NEC Birmingham on Wednesday 12 and Thursday 13 November 2025.  

This year’s theme, ‘Power Up Your Performance’, captures SALTEX’s ambition to energise the sector from smart technology and new skills to expert advice and opportunities to grow.

Registration open for SALTEX 2025

Registration open for SALTEX 2025

Organised by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), SALTEX continues to serve the sector with great purpose, as it has done since 1938. It’s the most influential event of its kind in Europe, bringing together thousands of professionals and volunteers from across the sector.

This year’s show promises to be the most dynamic yet, with hundreds of leading brands, industry-first product launches and cutting-edge technology on display across halls 17, 18, and 19. 80% of visitors who attend SALTEX are senior decision-makers, making it the trusted annual meeting place for professionals and volunteers across all areas of grounds care.

Whether you work in sport, education, local authorities or commercial spaces, SALTEX offers fresh ideas, the latest solutions and real-world expert advice that you can take away and put into action.

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the Grounds Management Association, said: “The 2025 theme, ‘Power Up Your Performance’, captures the ambition behind everything we’ve got planned for SALTEX 2025. We’re introducing fresh features and new thinking to create even more value for visitors and exhibitors. It’s shaped by what the industry’s told us it needs, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the NEC.”

Power Up Your Experience at SALTEX 2025:

  • Power Up Your Tech – See the latest kit and innovation from the industry’s leading suppliers.
  • Power Up Your Skills – Earn accredited CPD points through SALTEX’s renowned Learning LIVE programme.
  • Power Up Your Connections – Network with peers and decision-makers from across the sector.
  • Power Up Your Performance – Take away actionable insights and strategies to improve your impact on the ground.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the Grounds Management Association, added: “SALTEX is built around the needs of the industry, and this year’s show reflects exactly that. From grassroots to elite level, every detail of the 2025 show has been shaped by the real-world needs of groundspeople today. And what makes SALTEX truly unique is that all revenue is reinvested directly into supporting the sector.”

Join thousands of grounds professionals and power up your performance at SALTEX 2025. Registration is free and now open at www.saltex.org.uk.

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Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days

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Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days: Bunker specialists EcoBunker welcomed 20 greenkeepers and club managers from across Devon & Cornwall to its latest club open day, hosted by Newquay Golf Club. 

The EcoBunker open day series is being held across the summer, giving club officials and greenkeeping teams around the U.K. the chance to draw on EcoBunker expertise in bunker design and maintenance, and to better understand the benefits to be gained from employing EcoBunker technology at their course.

Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days

Seeing is Believing at EcoBunker Open Days

“Bunkering is a complex topic, so we want to give clubs across the U.K. the chance to draw on our vast experience,” said Richard Allen, CEO of EcoBunker. “Courses need to consider bunker design, drainage, sand choice, which liners to use, edge irrigation and many other factors. We want to help them unpick the topic and find solutions that best fit their needs. We have chosen venues for the open days that have installed EcoBunker technology so we can show examples at work and also introduce them to greenkeepers and course officials who have benefitted from investing in their bunkers.”

The recent event at Newquay G.C. showcased the results of phase one of the club’s bunker renovation project, where all Par 3 greenside bunkers and the bunkers on the first hole were replaced in Autumn 2024.  Now fully bedded in, attendees were able to see the benefits of EcoBunker technology in action and discuss the impact of the project with Head Greenkeeper Dan Kendle.

“We’ve been delighted with the impact of Phase one,” commented Dan. “We’re exposed to the elements so the maintenance of the bunkers was a huge issue. Replacing sand, weeding, repairing eroded sections, it all added up to a real drain on our resources. Not only have we massively reduced that burden, but the course also looks better and plays better. We couldn’t be happier with phase one and it was a real pleasure to share our experience of working with EcoBunker with the visitors who attended the Open day.”

This was the third open day in the series, following events at Cotterell Park G.C. and Lexden Wood G.C. The events have seen the team share information on course design, irrigation and drainage, and at Lexden Wood they were able to show the current full course project installing EcoTec™ bunker liners.

“When people hear EcoBunker, they will often think of our high revetted bunkers, but there is far more to our service than that,” continued Richard. “Our expertise is unrivalled. We bring a holistic approach to every project that considers the course type and layout, the ground conditions, the local climate and many more factors, before applying the most suitable technology, or even removing bunkers completely where they’re not needed! Our Open days are a fantastic chance for us to show people what we can do, and for them to learn what is possible at their venue.”

For details of upcoming stops on the EcoBunker Open Day schedule, please contact ceri.richards@ecobunker.co.uk

And for more information on how EcoBunker can help meet the challenges faced at your course, visit www.ecobunker.co.uk

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Visitor Registration for GroundsFest 2025 Now Open

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Visitor Registration for GroundsFest 2025 Now Open: Get ready—visitor registration for GroundsFest 2025 is officially open, and this year promises to be bigger, better, and bolder than ever before.

Returning to Stoneleigh Park from 9–10 September 2025, GroundsFest is more than just a trade show. It’s a high-energy, hands-on event where the latest kit, expert advice, and industry insight all come together.

Visitor Registration for GroundsFest 2025 Now Open

Visitor Registration for GroundsFest 2025 Now Open

Whether you work in landscaping, groundscare, local authority, turf management, estate maintenance, education, or sportsturf—GroundsFest is the one event you don’t want to miss.

Hundreds of brands. One event.

GroundsFest 2025 will bring together one of the most diverse ranges of exhibitors the industry has ever seen. From major machinery manufacturers and cutting-edge tech providers to landscaping tools, turf care solutions, commercial vehicles, and more—you’ll find hundreds of top brands all in one place.

Live, interactive demos

Try out the latest machinery and technology from top brands in real working conditions. You’ll also be able to experience Machinery Nation Live—a high-octane, entertainment-packed demo area brought to you by the team behind the hit YouTube channel Machinery Nation. Expect thrills, power, and plenty of noise as they put kit through its paces in their own unique style.

Free education

Grow your knowledge with completely free training sessions and seminars. Led by industry experts, these sessions cover the challenges and innovations shaping the future of outdoor spaces, turf, and groundscare.

Live music festival

Once the demos and seminars wrap up, the GroundsFest festival begins. Live music, street food, bumper cars and great company—because the best conversations often happen away from the stand.

A place for everyone

From seasoned professionals to students just starting out, GroundsFest is a welcoming, inclusive event designed to inspire. Whether you’re looking for your next purchase, your next hire, or just a great day out with the team—this is your event.

It’s completely free to attend

Registration is quick, easy, and completely free. You’ll get full access to the demos, education sessions, live music, and more.

Whether you came last year and loved it, or this will be your first visit—GroundsFest 2025 is the event to mark on your calendar.

Free parking

GroundsFest 2024 offers free on-site parking for everyone. There is also a dedicated camping area, which should be pre-booked in advance. More information on staying in the camping area is available on the GroundsFest website.

Register for free on the GroundsFest website.

Please visit www.groundsfest.com

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

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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Finalists for 2025 US Open technician volunteer opportunity

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Finalists for 2025 US Open technician volunteer opportunity: The Bernhard Academy is pleased to reveal the three finalists for its sponsorship programme, offering one lucky equipment technician the chance to travel to Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, USA to volunteer as part of the 125th US Open support team.

The finalists are:

James Breeze – Huddersfield Golf Club

Paul Spencer – Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Paul Colebatch – The Worcestershire Golf Club

Finalists for 2025 US Open technician volunteer opportunity

Finalists for 2025 US Open technician volunteer opportunity

Each has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication to their chosen career as equipment technicians. To select the eventual winner, the Bernhard Academy team will visit each of the finalists at their clubs in early January to conduct the final interview phase.

The winner will be announced on Monday, 20th January 2025, as part of the Bernhard Academy’s Reception evening at BTME, BIGGA’s annual turf management exhibition in Harrogate. This marks the conclusion of a rigorous selection process to identify the best candidate for this unique career-development opportunity.

Sami Strutt, Education Director for the Bernhard Academy, said: “We’re proud to announce James, Paul, and Paul as our finalists. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for equipment technicians based in the UK, and highlights the work the Academy is doing to promote the crucial role of technicians, and offer opportunities for them to further develop their skills.”

The winner will join Oakmont Country Club’s volunteer team for the third major of the year in the men’s game, the US Open. There, they will work with industry professionals and the Oakmont team to prepare the course for the world’s best players to compete. They will also attend a preparatory training workshop at a Bernhard Academy venue before their visit.

In partnership with the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (T.E.T.O), this sponsorship underscores the Bernhard Academy’s dedication to recognising and advancing the role of equipment technicians, fostering skill development, and driving innovation in the sports turf industry.

For further information about the competition, please visit: https://bernhardacademy.co.uk/tournamentvolunteer/

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New doors open for Pitch and Track

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New doors open for Pitch and Track: The picturesque island of Jersey is known for many things, but perhaps lesser publicised is the fact that its climate provides the perfect growing conditions for moss!

In the battle to ensure moss and weeds doesn’t detract from many of the island’s popular public and sporting attractions are contractors Pitch and Track, who can now take on the challenge chemical-free thanks to their purchase of a Foamstream L12 system from Weedingtech.

New doors open for Pitch and Track

New doors open for Pitch and Track

Owned and operated by father and son pairing Nigel and Harrison McLinton, Pitch and Track conduct maintenance and repairs for natural and artificial playing surfaces, alongside effective weed and moss control, for a number of tennis courts, football facilities and private and public schools throughout Jersey. “Like a lot of contractors, we were previously using various chemicals to treat unwanted vegetation which meant ensuring we had the correct licenses and PPE to spray it, and also restricted us as to when and where we could treat areas – particularly in schools and areas around children, animals and waterways” explains Harrison.

“We stumbled across a demonstration video of Foamstream and were immediately intrigued by what this could offer.” Following a phone call, Weedingtech’s Tom Hamilton organised for a demonstration unit to be shipped to the pair for trial, who were seriously impressed from the off! “We had the L12 for a couple of weeks, used it on a few of our regular tennis court sites to see how easy it was to use, how we could manoeuvre it and ultimately how effective it was. The machine and the process delivered on every front which cemented our decision to purchase a unit for delivery in spring 2024.”

Foamstream provides control comparable to that of glyphosate on a broad range of weed species, together with the effective treatment of moss and algae. The plant-based foam solution insulates the hot water, to retain the temperature and quickly kill the weeds, the roots and surrounding spores – offering both immediate and longer-lasting control. Weedingtech’s L12 delivery unit is a portable, compact machine offering a ‘plug and play’ solution for use in all environments.

“Where previously we relied on the right weather and temperature to spray, we can now effectively treat surfaces anytime with Foamstream. We’ve done close to forty tennis courts to date, and are continually impressed with the speed of results and the more effective clean we get by following Foamstream with a pass of our deep clean machine. We’re also in discussions with authorities regarding treatments on some of the island’s slipways and outdoor pools.”

”We were also delighted to be approached by Jersey Zoo to treat areas in and around the aviary and some of the enclosures.” Harrison adds, “Foamstream has definitely opened new doors for us already and we’re both excited about other opportunities and the future of our business with this machine.”

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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