BTME x Continue to Learn
Turf’s greatest collaboration returns for 2020
A year ago, I pledged that 2019 would see BIGGA make some strides forwards in respect of repositioning greenkeeping and turf maintenance as an influential and essential aspect of the golf industry.
Over the past year we’ve supported schemes such as the R&A’s Women in Girls Golf Charter and Golf Course 2030, but in many ways, we wanted to set the agenda, based upon what our members were telling us were their priorities. As such, the past year saw BIGGA play a role in the creation of a governance guide for golf clubs – an ambition I spelled out in a 2018 interview with Golf Business News – and we have also teamed up with the STRI Group to launch the Golf Research Enterprise, the direction of which is determined by greenkeepers.
The golf industry is changing faster than ever with new rules, new technology and new challenges posed by the economy and our changing climate. Which is where we turn to our annual exhibition, taking place next month in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. At its heart BTME is about providing BIGGA members and the entire golf industry with the tools it needs to overcome any of the problems we face, to create a strong and more vibrant sport for generations to come.
BTME 2020 and the Continue to Learn education programme for turf professionals will return to the Harrogate Convention Centre from Sunday 19 to Thursday 23 January 2020 and the links below should give you a little more information about some of the things that are happening at this year’s event.
I hope you’re able to make it to Harrogate for what promises to be another fantastic exhibition.
Jim Croxton, Chief Executive Officer, BIGGA
Registration for BTME is currently open and you can book your place online now by heading to the BTME website.
- Why attend BTME?
Last year’s BTME saw nearly 5,000 BIGGA members, turf managers, golf club owners, managers and industry decision makers pack into the centre to discover the latest products and innovations, plus unrivalled networking opportunities.
For those in the greenkeeping and golf industry in the UK, there’s only one place to be each January.
- BTME App
The free BTME App provides the most interactive and immersive BTME experience for anyone heading to the show. By downloading the app from the Apple Store or Google Play, you can create your own schedule, keep track of major events at BTME and Continue to Learn, share notes with other conference attendees and offer feedback on the education you experience.
- Golf Architecture and Management Forum
Hosted by respected journalist and BIGGA’s favourite golf fan, Naga Munchetty, this event will showcase collaborations between architects, course managers and their greenkeeping teams. There will be the course managers and leading architects involved with projects at Royal Portrush, Royal Dornoch and The JCB.
This forum is just one of a host of innovative events taking place the week of BTME and Continue to Learn.
- BIGGA Welcome Celebration sponsored by Campey Turf Care Systems
BIGGA’s free-to-attend welcome event will celebrate all the finest achievements of BIGGA members from throughout 2019. The Welcome Celebration is an opportunity to celebrate everything that’s good about the greenkeeping industry, and we know that’s key to growing a thriving sport for years to come.
The Welcome Celebration is a free event and you don’t need an invite, just show up and receive a complimentary welcome drink on arrival.
- Green Room Podcast Live hosted by Curtis Tyrrell MG CGCS
The Green Room Golf Course Podcast is BIGGA’s popular new audio offering, with host Karl Hansell bringing regular stories from around the industry. At BTME, former Ryder Cup superintendent and director of agronomy at Desert Highlands, Curtis Tyrrell MG CGCS – himself host of The Course Reports podcast – will be hosting a series of discussions in BTME’s Blue Zone.
- Continue to Learn 2020
Once again, running alongside BTME will be BIGGA’s Continue to Learn education programme. Continue to Learn is the most comprehensive education programme for those in the turf industry. Attracting more than 3,000 delegates, the programme features almost 80 individual education events and is held over four day. Continue to Learn 2020 will feature more than 250 hours of education delivered by over 90 speakers.
- BIGGA Awards 2020
Each year BIGGA provides the opportunity for its members to be recognised for their incredible hard work and dedication throughout the year. BIGGA’s annual awards acknowledge the achievements of its members. The categories are: Outstanding Contribution of the Year sponsored by Jacobsen; Championship Performance of the Year sponsored by Rigby Taylor; Greenkeeping Project of the Year sponsored by Baroness and Kubota.
- STRI Innovation Zone at BTME
BIGGA has teamed up with renowned sports turf research organisation STRI Group to showcase turf science in action during the exhibition. The Innovation Zone in the Red Zone contains four areas focussing on blue-green infrastructure, turf disease identification, investigating the invisible using multispectral photography and analysis of rootzone material.
- BTME Early Bird 5k Run sponsored by Syngenta.
BIGGA will be hosting a 5km run around Harrogate at 6.30am on Wednesday morning to help raise awareness of mental health among men. The run will be led by Ben Davis, the running ambassador for the Campaign Against Living Miserably. CALM is the leading movement against male suicide, which is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK. Ben has done a huge amount over charity work over the years and was proclaimed Yorkshire Man of the Year in 2018.
- Golf Course Sustainability Zone in association with the Golf Environment Organisation.
Located in the Blue Zone this area will demonstrate the what, why and how of golf course sustainability. GEO Foundation in tandem with key industry partners will be on hand to provide advice and support on all sustainability matters.
