BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association) is again offering all visitors the chance to beat the queues at the Harrogate International Centre. To do so just visit the dedicated website http://www.btme.org.uk/ and click on the ‘Register Now’ tab. This site also contains a wealth of information on BTME 2015.
The 2014 show was a huge success with a grand total of 8,751 visitors attracted by the first-class Continue to Learn education programme and the exhibition -which again showed off a huge range of new products and industry innovations.
These visitors came from across the UK, Europe and around the world and included turf managers from many sports plus club owners, managers and other industry decision makers.
The 2015 Continue to Learn programme features numerous brand new presenters delivering diverse topics aimed at all greenkeepers, and all vital to further the education of greenkeepers at all levels from Assistant to Course Manager. BIGGA has taken on board the results from the Members’ Choice survey to form the content.
The Turf Managers’ Conference is again expected to be a highlight of the week, and one of the keynote speakers this year is Dr Brian Horgan from the University of Minnesota, who will be discussing the Minimum Levels for Sustainable Nutrition.
He will be joined by Chris Tritabaugh, Golf Course Superintendent at Hazeltine National Golf Club and host of the 2016 Ryder Cup for ‘The Art and Science of Golf Course Management’.
Other new presenters for the various seminars and workshops include best selling author and specialist in behavioural skills Liggy Webb whose seminar is entitled ‘Resilience Through Change’, and Sportsturf Consultant Noel MacKenzie who will be focusing on ‘Changing the Grass Composition of your Greens.’
Continue to Learn runs between 18-21 January and includes the Turf Managers’ Conference on 19 January, featuring first-class international speakers.
The exhibition is held between 20-22 January. There will be manufacturers, distributors, retailers, consultants and service providers exhibiting, and we’re delighted to welcome several new companies as well as returning clients who all recognise how vital BTME is to their business.
“Everyone at BIGGA is looking forward to sharing the BTME and Continue to Learn experience with you,” says CEO Jim Croxton. “Simply, a visit to BTME makes you a better turf manager.”
Writing in the latest edition of Greenkeeper International, Jim Croxton comments, “Just before this edition went to print news reached us that the IOG intend to make major changes to their annual exhibition, IOG Saltex.
“Having occupied an early September date outdoors at Windsor racecourse for 20 years, for 2015 they propose moving to an indoor show held at Birmingham’s NEC in early November, less than three months before BTME’s traditional January date. The announcement immediately prompted much speculation on social media and discussions on the impact that this would have on Saltex itself and perhaps BTME.
“By coincidence registration for BTME 2015 opened at the beginning of September during Saltex. We are confident that with the combination of a world class education experience, the unique environment that Harrogate provides and the support of our valued exhibitors the 2015 event will be an outstanding success and continue the upward curve of recent years.
“This success has been based on a commitment to provide all the stakeholders in the event – exhibitors, visitors and industry partners – with the platform to achieve their goals. We consult widely with all parties and this will continue. It will be interesting to see how the IOG’s decision is received by their members and exhibitors. Change is inevitable and we will always react to it so as to provide our members with the exhibition and conference they need. I am confident BTME will remain an important date in the calendar for all turf managers and retain its position as the premier turf care exhibition in Europe.”
Speaking at the media briefing on Wednesday morning, Geoff Webb, CEO of IOG, told the assembled press that he was not out to attack BTME – he could have picked a date for Saltex that would have been even closer to BTME.
“Don’t think of Jim Croxton and me as ‘rutting rams’.” he said. “Jim and his colleagues have turned their Show around. It’s time for me and my colleagues to do the same for ours.”
BTME 2015 http://www.btme.org.uk/
IOG Saltex www.iogsaltex.com