In my late teens, when I became interested in horticulture, one of the things I used to look forward to the most, was receiving the new catalogues in the post from the various seed companies - Unwins, Thompson & Morgan and Suttons, to name but a few.

I was always excited with the new varieties (now known as cultivars) of flowers that were being introduced for the coming season, particularly the F1 hybrids. These catalogues were not just about listing and giving the prices of the different seeds of flowers and vegetables that the companies were selling but they also acted as a mine of information, often giving advice on when and how to sow, as well as giving the required temperatures needed to successfully germinate the seeds. 

As time moved on I qualified as a horticulturalist and began my career in the golf course maintenance industry. The seed catalogues were no more in my new life. Instead, they were replaced by visiting trade shows, particularly the stands where the machinery companies were exhibiting. Trade shows I attended would occur between November and February. I would be too busy on the golf course to be able to take the time off attending shows at any other time of the year.

What I looked forward to the most at these shows was looking at and finding out about the new machines and technology that was being introduced. When I became head greenkeeper of my golf course I would often attend a show with the view of buying new equipment that I had persuaded my golf course owners to purchase. Once they approved the amount of money that was to be spent, they left it up to me to decide on what machine to purchase, as long as it was at the best price. 

This is always something that dealers keep in mind when exhibiting. They know that there are many buyers on the floor so negotiating the best deal that suits both buyer and seller is important.

I did a lot of bargaining with the dealers. Having so many of them under one roof was great. After narrowing down the dealer I would purchase from, a follow up visit to my golf course by the dealer would be the next stage. He would bring his machine with him, often leaving it with me for a week to allow me give it a test run and put it through its paces. Giving the greenkeeping staff the opportunity to test it as well was important as they would be the ones who would be operating the machine.

My purchasing machinery days are long over but I am still fascinated with the new machines that are being launched, each year. This year in particular has seen a lot of new equipment introduced to shows such as LAMMA, BTME and the GIS show, which started yesterday in Orlando. Many new machines powered by alternative fuels are leading the way. I am particularly excited about those machines that are powered using hydrogen technology.

If you exhibited at any of the shows during the past few weeks, I hope that it was a success for you and that it was worth your while exhibiting. Just like the seed catalogues, you also give a lot of knowledge and expertise to your potential customers.