Next year’s BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition will be extended to three full days. Instead of running from Wednesday to Friday lunch time as has traditionally been the case, from next year the Show will begin on Tuesday, 22nd January and will run to 5pm on Thursday, 24th January. Somewhat controversially, however, in order to “protect” the integrity of the final afternoon exhibitors will not be able to start breaking down their stands until the Friday morning.
This decision means that many exhibitors will incur the costs of staying an extra night in Harrogate and has not been well-received, even though BIGGA Executive Director Neil Thomas has promised that the situation will be reviewed after next year’s show. “We have taken this decision following lengthy discussions with the trade through the Steering Committee,” said Neil Thomas, “and we believe that it will benefit both visitors and trade alike. Those people intending to visit Harrogate for the day will have an extra day to choose from while the trade will enjoy another day which we anticipate will have similar numbers to the traditionally busy first two days.”
This year BTME celebrates its 13th year and has become the largest indoor fine turf exhibition in Europe. “The decision to extend the Show to three full days illustrates the confidence that the trade has in BTME and is another example of our on-going commitment to improving our flagship event of the year,” said Neil.
BIGGA www.bigga.org.uk