Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) | Trade Shows & Events

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IOG SALTEX attracts buyers and decision - makers

The usefulness of IOG SALTEX as the ‘one-stop shop’ for all turf and open space management matters and as a showcase for new ideas and products – plus the event’s unrivalled ability to enable equipment to be demonstrated outdoors - continue to dominate the reasons why industry decision-makers make their annual pilgrimage to the Windsor show. According to independent research at last year’s show:

88 per cent of visitors said it was important to see equipment working in a ‘real life’ environment

59 per cent said the show was the one event where they could see everything they need in one place at the same time

58 per cent go looking for new products and ideas to improve their routines

34 per cent of visitors went to source new or alternative suppliers.

To be part of the IOG SALTEX sales success story, call Clare Johnson NOW on 01962 736989 or email her at cjohnson@iog.org

Buyers rain down on 2011 IOG SALTEX exhibitors

Despite the inclement weather during this year’s three-day IOG SALTEX turf and open space management show, exhibitors were reporting a high number of serious enquiries – and sales leads – starting right from the first few hours of the exhibition.

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Dates & Times

IOG SALTEX 2012

Tue 4 September	9am - 5pm
Wed 5 September	9am - 5pm
Thurs 6 September	9am - 4:15pm

SALTEX Twitter

What 2011 visitors say

Colin Wooster, Head Groundsman at Charlton Park RFC, says IOG SALTEX is “a first-class event” to not only see what turf care equipment is new but also to gain an update into the operation of a wide range of machinery.

Tony Bolton, Head Gardener at Ackergill Tower in Caithness, Scotland, said: “I attended a number of seminars and all were excellent. I also attended the demonstration on mower safety. These were fantastic sessions. Grounds staff and gardeners alike are missing out on a wonderful learning experience and wealth of knowledge from industry experts if they don’t attend.”

Taunton Town FC’s Head Groundsman Kevin Sturmey visited IOG SALTEX for the first time last year and says he will be attending this year to ensure he stays up-to-date with what’s available.

Mark Barltrop, Senior Area Manager for Epping Forest District Council, has an extensive shopping list when he and his colleagues visit the show – from mowers to playground equipment, and from shrubs and bedding schemes through to plant propagation - and, he says “everything we need can be seen and sourced at the show”.

And Douglas Allan doesn’t bat an eyelid at the 1,000-miles round trip he makes to IOG SALTEX from his home in Scotland. “The event is the ideal place to update myself on all the new developments, machines and techniques we need to our jobs better,” says the Principal Landscape Officer for Aberdeenshire Council. “As a result of attending last year’s show, we saw a number of new machines and devices, and were spurred into buying some much-needed replacement kit.”

IOG Saltex 2011 video highlights

Watch our video 'diary' of last year's show

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What 2011 exhibitors say

D J Turfcare was among a number of companies that reported sales almost as soon as the show opened. David Jenkins, Managing Director, announced that he had sold a Plugger PL855 Pro HD aerator.

Gary Mumby of BLEC Global reported the sale of a BLEC Laser Grader. Gary said that “despite the heavy rain during day one, I still took lots of serious enquiries. IOG SALTEX was a terrific show; we sold eight machines from the standand took dozens of enquiries.”

The Grass Group’s Managing Director, Tim Merrell, reported: “A national contractor came to the show last year and expressed an interest in a Trilo vacuum/sweeper. On the first day this year he came to the stand and ordered the machine. What a start! We’ve seen a good mix of visitors – including local authorities, schools and colleges – and took an order from a golf club.”

Nick Darking, Sales Manager at Charterhouse Turf Machinery, commented: “We’ve seen a good quality of visitors, ranging from local authorities, schools and colleges to golf clubs. There’s been a lot of interest in our new products, and we’ve seen an increase in the level of enquiries for our synthetic surface maintenance equipment.”

Ian Howard, Managing Director of Dennis/Sisis, says: “Fantastic! We’ve had a great response. We’ve seen a lot of dedicated Sisis customers and we’ve had some very complimentary comments. IOG SALTEX was particularly critical for us this year and I’m pleased to say we’ve seen visitors from local authorities as well as bowling, cricket and tennis clubs – a good variety. We’ve seen some overseas visitors as well, with good export potential.”

Chris Harris, Managing Director of TYM Tractors UK: “The traffic flow of visitors has been greater than expected and has led to more positive leads and business that we had anticipated.”

To be part of the IOG SALTEX sales success story, call Clare Johnson NOW on 01962 736989 or email her at cjohnson@iog.org

On Display

IOG SALTEX takes place in 50 acres at Windsor Racecourse, Berks, and with around 400 exhibitors and over 9,000 visitors (2011 figures) embraces fine turf and sports surfaces, turf maintenance equipment, children’s outdoor play and safety surfacing, landscaping, contractors, commercial vehicles, outdoor leisure and facilities management, as well as software and security equipment – everything that's needed for the maintenance, management and development of open spaces.

The show is attended by open space management professionals and contractors – from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to play officers, architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and outdoor leisure facility managers.

History

IOG Saltex started humbly in 1938 at The Hurlingham Club in London with just 25 companies showing their products. Known as 'The Field Day' it was organised by the National Association of Groundsmen. After a break during the war years it restarted in 1947, at the same venue until 1965 when it moved to the London University Sportsground at Motspur Park.

IOG Saltex experienced considerable growth over the next 16 years and by 1979 the show's expansion required a move to a bigger venue, The Royal Windsor Racecourse.