The comprehensive series of informative free education presentations planned for IOG SALTEX (4-6 September, Windsor Racecourse) provides the wide cross section of visitors to Europe’s most successful event for the grounds care and open space management show with major programmes focusing on turf-related matters.
Featuring industry-leading individuals and organisations, this year’s schedule represents an unrivalled fount of knowledge designed to update all open space professionals, particularly in terms of:
- Pesticides – European Union legislation
- Artificial surfaces
- Water management
- Funding
- Turf diseases
- Climate change.
In addition to the renowned lively debates at the Groundsman Live lunchtime question-and-answer sessions, the programme covers a host of subjects that will enable visitors to gain up-to-the-minute information that will help them in their day-to-day roles on subject that are hard to ignore.
In a joint presentation, BALI’s Neil Huck and Jon Allbutt of The Amenity Forum will be providing a daily workshop on EU pesticides legislation, while the latest thinking on artificial surfaces will include presentations by Steve Williams of the FA (artificial grass pitches) and by Christina Rudin Snobohm of the Swedish Chemicals Inspectorate, who will talk about the use of recycled materials.
In addition, panellists for the perennial and ever-popular ‘grass versus artificial’ Groundsman Live Debate include Robert Adcock of the Turfgrass Growers Association.
Water management will be discussed by David Calderbank of the Environment Agency, who will explain how to make the most of a valuable resource, and Karen Woolland and Anna Kocerhan of Sports Solutions GB will provide the inside track on obtaining grants – followed by a Groundsman Live debate – which is bound to be interesting!
In dissecting all common (and not so common) turf diseases, Kate Entwistle of The Turf Disease Centre will also be discussing their treatment, and under the umbrella of ‘climate change’ Professor Paul Hadley of the University of Reading will look at how global warming is affecting the profession.
Recycling will be covered by WRAP and the arboriculture sector by daily seminars (‘Trees and construction – the impact of BS 5837’) presented by the Arboricultural Association. Also, Richard Beghin of Flicx UK will provide an exclusive insight into the research results from an innovative development in soil stablisation.
On the career progression front, the IOG’s Ian lacy will introduce the IOG’s new Sports & Amenity Turf Maintenance Level 3 qualification, as well as CPD, and Davo Ruthven-Stuart of NXO returns with his daily series of ‘technical and personal development skills’ interactive workshops.
Visitors to the show can register now for their free entry badge at www.iogsaltex.co.uk, which also contains full details of this year’s education programme, or can call the Visitor Hotline on 0870 429 4524 to order free visitor tickets.
IOG SALTEX www.iogsaltex.co.uk