BAGMA Dealer Hub at GroundsFest 2023

BAGMA WILL BE taking over the mezzanine area in Hall 1 at GroundsFest 2023, September 20-21.

“We are pleased to be part of this new turf management and landscape show and are looking forward to bringing the BAGMA Dealer Hub to everyone,” says Nick Darking, BAGMA general manager.

The BAGMA Dealer Hub is open to everyone at the show, not just BAGMA members. There will be BAGMA service providers on hand discussing what they do as a business and how they can help and support your business. Some of BAGMA’s service providers will be giving talks on subjects such as health and safety, legal requirements, finances and business software.

BAGMA will also have one of its trainers there, who will be doing live training demonstrations on equipment throughout the day around the BAGMA ‘Handover and Install Products and Services to Customers’ course. The trainer will also be on hand to answer any questions about the course if anyone is interested in booking it or unsure if it is suitable for them. If that’s you, come along and either talk to the BAGMA trainer or to Kari Hearn, BAGMA training manager, about which courses would be suitable for you and your business.

Training is a key service BAGMA provides and it works very closely with trainers and with industry bodies to ensure it provides the best training with up to date requirements and legislation included. You don’t have to be a BAGMA member to book training with BAGMA, however members receive a 20% discount across all the training courses BAGMA offers. If you’re interested in booking any of the BAGMA training it’s worth talking to Richard Jenkins, BAGMA business development manager, about becoming a member to see how much you could save.

The BAGMA ‘Brew & Biscuit’ stand is also making a welcome return after its recent outing at the Royal Highland Show. Come along for a free beverage, a biscuit and a chat about the industry and what BAGMA is currently doing to support you and our industry.

BAGMA’s general manager, Nick Darking, commented: “We really want to encourage everybody to come along and talk to us whether you are a member or not. BAGMA is the trade association for our industry and it’s important that everyone has the opportunity to voice their opinions on current issues, so come along to the mezzanine in Hall 1 and come and see how we are supporting you and the industry and if you have any questions or concerns about current issues, we would be happy to hear them.”

SALTEX is on track to have one of its biggest years yet as exhibitor demand sees the floor plan for 2023 increase by 20% to accommodate bookings. Show organisers at the Grounds Management Association have confirmed early bird bookings are up 10% from the 2022 show and there’s a 12% increase in exhibitor numbers with 6,000sq m of hall space already sold.

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the GMA, said: “The footprint has been increased by 3,000sq m to accommodate the extra demand for space from exhibitors, making it 20% bigger than the 2022 show.”

New exhibitors include Asecos, BigChange, EGHOLM, FJ Dynamics, Grundfos Pumps, Hopespare, Hubscape, QCR, Syngenta UK and Watermatic. New World Sports and Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment are returning after a few years away. Those business which are back as usual include Baroness, Dennis and Sisis, Husqvarna, ICL, Kubota, Ransomes, Reesink UK, Toro and Weibang.

Sarah added: “To be in the 77th year of a show and still commanding this level of commitment from the sectors we represent is proof that the show is as relevant now as it ever was.”

The show will take place at Birmingham NEC on November 1-2.