This year’s show? The best yet
This year’s show? The best yet: The third edition of GroundsFest had a lot to live up to, given that the first two exhibitions had established it as one of the biggest and best shows of its type on the country.
Indeed, last year the organisers were awarded Best Trade Show in the prestigious EN Awards.
This year’s show? The best yet
So the pressure was on for 2025. But do you know what? This year’s exhibition was the best yet. The opening day was truly outstanding. The sun shone and everywhere you looked there were visitors lining the aisles and chatting with exhibitors on their stands.
And, when you wanted a break from business there was always something to take your attention, whether that be lawnmower racing, machinery testing with “Machinery Live” or competitions of all descriptions.
The promotional video put out a few weeks later could not have showcased GroundsFest 25 any better. If you weren’t there, it would certainly persuade you to make the trip to Stoneleigh next year. Just don’t examine that video too closely as you’ll see yours truly reliving his youth in a dodgem!
The 2025 Exhibition was considerable bigger than its two predecessors, the flexible nature of the Stoneleigh site lending itself to expansion, while at the same time not losing the cohesive nature of the site. Given the success of the show building yet further on that, with more space and more exhibitors, is going to be a challenge but any potential exhibitor who visited just to test the water is very likely to be encouraged to book some space and join the party in 2026.
The GroundsFest Academy has quickly become one of the most exciting educational initiatives in the groundscare and landscaping industries – and it’s continuing to grow.
The Academy was created with a simple but powerful mission: to provide free, high-quality, practical training for professionals and volunteers across the industry. What makes it truly unique is that it’s entirely funded by profits from the annual GroundsFest event, ensuring that money goes back into supporting skills, knowledge, and career development for the people who make the industry thrive.
“Our goal has always been to make education accessible, engaging, and relevant,” said Bradley Tennant, Director of Education for the GroundsFest Academy.
“We’re not trying to replicate what’s already out there – we’re reimagining how learning can be delivered. Every session is practical, hands-on, and shaped by real-world challenges. The enthusiasm from delegates and partners so far shows that people are hungry for this kind of training.”
From grounds managers and contractors to sports turf specialists, students, volunteers, and landscaping enthusiasts, the Academy offers something for everyone. Each event is CPD-accredited and designed to deliver immediate, real-world value – whether that’s through hands-on workshops, expert-led seminars, or interactive demonstrations.
Sessions so far have covered a wide range of topics, from irrigation maintenance and robotics to seed science.
The approach is simple: bring together leading manufacturers, educators, and practitioners to share knowledge in an open, collaborative format – free of charge.
Irrigation Maintenance introduced participants to the latest irrigation advancements, complete with handson demos and there was also the hugely popular KAR UK Sprinkler Service Challenge – a timed, practical test that had delegates racing to assemble a sprinkler head.
Robotics and Sustainable Technology saw the Academy team up with Husqvarna, Lantra, and Origin Amenity Solutions to showcase how automation and battery power are shaping the future of grounds management. Delegates explored robotic mowers, automated line-marking systems, and green technologies in a realistic outdoor setting.
Seed Science, in partnership with DLF UK, took delegates deep into the world of grass and seed technology. From seed identification and germination tests to sowing techniques and aftercare, attendees walked away with practical insights they could apply immediately in their own environments.
The Academy’s collaborative approach has been met with enthusiasm from both partners and participants.
“It’s great to show what we do, but even better to contribute to education and understanding in the industry,” said Matt Gresty, MM and Designer Sales & Brand Manager at DLF UK.
“From wildflower seeds to sports turf, we want to help people improve their work through better knowledge.” Adam Little, Key Account Manager for Husqvarna UK, agreed: “There was an abundance of questions from the delegates – which shows how good the event was and how engaged the group was.
Demonstrating the machines on a green space gives people a feel for how they’d actually use them.”
Delegates have been equally positive. David Newell, Deputy Head Groundsman at Reading FC, praised the Academy’s unique format:
“You never know that to expect from a new event, but it’s been really educational. It’s different to anything you get anywhere else.”
That educational focus was echoed by Mike Green, a groundsman at Winterborne Cricket Club:
“It’s really good to come here and keep your CPD going. These events are so important for bringing new talent into our industry – showing the younger generation what technology is out there. Events like this are great to showcase what we do in our industry. It’s really important to stay up to date with emerging technology to help us with climate change and sustainability.”
The Academy has already partnered with Origin Amenity, KAR UK, DLF, Lantra, and Husqvarna UK, with many more collaborations planned.
It has also teamed up with BIGGA to develop joint educational initiatives aimed at strengthening professional standards and supporting the next generation of industry talent.
“We’re seeing incredible engagement – from apprentices just starting out to seasoned professionals wanting to refresh their skills,” added Bradley Tennant.
“Education shouldn’t be static. We’re keeping things fresh, relevant, and inspiring. The GroundsFest Academy is here to grow with the industry.”
As it continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the GroundsFest Academy isn’t just teaching skills – it’s helping to build a stronger, more connected, and better-equipped industry for the future.
