SALTEX UPDATE
TECHNICAL UPDATE | COVID-19 ADVICE
Industry praises Spring 2021 decision
KEEP IN TOUCH SALTEX 2021 will take place on March 3 & 4, 2021 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information, visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk. Follow SALTEX on Twitter and Facebook
Chris Bennett SALTEX press officer
The recent announcement that SALTEX has been rescheduled to Spring 2021 has been met with enthusiastic support from both exhibitors and visitors TH E GROUNDS M AN AGEM EN T A S S OCI AT ION (GMA) Board of Directors said that the unanimous decision to move SALTEX from November 2020 to March 2021 was based on ensuring the safety of everyone connected with the event and to provide the respite required to re-adjust to changing professional and personal circumstances. Furthermore, the Board believes that by acting now, the move will allow everyone to plan as effectively as possible and help the industry to regroup and recover. The announcement has been well received, with exhibitors and potential visitors praising the timing of the decision. “We are pleased to see the GMA take decisive steps to deal with the growing doubt and anxiety about SALTEX going ahead in November,” said David Cole, managing director of Reesink Turfcare. “It would have been a difficult decision for a variety of reasons, but for us the right one to remove uncertainty and replace it with a date we can look forward to with optimism.” David’s views are echoed by Caroline Shaw, European marketing manager for Trimax Mowers. “The decision to postpone the largest show of the year couldn’t have been easy,” she said. “But the decisive action, coupled with the determination to put the health and wellbeing of our industry professionals first, is something we are proud to support.” Tom Shinkins, operations manager at GKB Machines, believes the new dates could be advantageous: “I believe the new dates will actually be more beneficial because we’ll be able to arrange demonstrations with
8 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | JULY 2020
prospective new customers straight after the show.” Social media channels and online forums were flooded with industry professionals who also welcomed the announcement: “It’s a sensible decision which allows everyone to concentrate on the here and now, then focus for 2021,” said Neil Stubley, head of courts and horticulture at the All English Lawn and Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Karl McDermott, head groundsman at Lord’s, said: “Sad news but the right decision. I always see SALTEX as a great way to finish off the cricket season but now it is going to be a nice warm-up for next season. I’m looking forward to March 2021.” Landscaper Greg Francis was also positive about the decision: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a much better time of year for the gardeners because it is non-stop leaf clearance during October and November.” Speaking on behalf of the GMA
Board, Geoff Webb, CEO at the GMA commented: “We would like to thank our exhibitors, visitors, partners and suppliers for their support and patience during this challenging time. It has been highly encouraging to see the industry come together and support the GMA’s decision.” Early indications for SALTEX 2021, the show’s 75th anniversary, are extremely positive after show organisers reported a recordbreaking loyalty period, stand upgrades and an influx of debut exhibitors. It comes off the back of the most successful SALTEX to date which saw a record breaking 9,104 visitors attend the 2019 event. ■
For SALTEX sales and sponsorship: Matthew Knight: matthewknight@rabdf.co.uk Charles Neale: charlesneale@rabdf.co.uk Luke Perry: lperry@thegma.org.uk For SALTEX invoicing enquires: Alan Clarke: accounts@thegma.org.uk
