As the doors closed on this month’s IOG SALTEX open space management show – 455 exhibitors welcomed over 13,500 visitors during the three-day event at Windsor Racecourse and 80 per cent of exhibitors re-signed for the 2010 event – the Institute of Groundsmanship is already moving forward positively with next year’s show on 7-9 September 2010 by taking complete control of all aspects of IOG SALTEX sales and marketing.
During past years, the event’s sales and marketing functions have traditionally been outsourced – latterly to UBM – but as part of the IOG’s continual drive towards re-investing all available funds towards its expanding membership services, these activities are now the total responsibility of the IOG.
Chief Executive Geoff Webb explains, “Our contractors have done a sterling job over the years to continually develop and build IOG SALTEX as the most successful open space management event in the UK. The input of our partners like UBM has been invaluable in enabling the show to successfully evolve year on year in line with market demands and the requirements of our audiences – open space sector suppliers and visitors.
“This year’s event coincided with the renewal of contracts for the IOG SALTEX sales and marketing activities and, with the IOG’s determined efforts as a not-for-profit organisation to continue to enhance and expand our services to improve the status and recognition of our members and of the groundscare industry as whole, we have taken the decision to also embrace the IOG SALTEX sales and marketing functions. These will now complement the regime of show management that has always remained within the IOG and its IOG SALTEX site operations team.”
He continues: “Importantly, Clare Johnson will continue as IOG SALTEX Sales Director, complementary to her role as Sales Director of the IOG magazines the ‘Groundsman’ and ‘Sports Turf, Amenity & Leisure’, so exhibitors will have confirmed continuity in their dealings over IOG SALTEX.
“The show’s marketing function will now be handled in-house from IOG headquarters and exhibitors can be rest assured that we will continue to promote the event in line with all expectations.”
IOG SALTEX 2010 will be held on 7-9 September at Windsor Racecourse, Berkshire, and will embrace 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.
IOG SALTEX www.iogsaltex.co.uk