Learning Live, an all-encompassing education programme designed for all sectors of the groundscare industry, has now been finalised and is set to be a major attraction at SALTEX 2015 on the 4 and 5 November at The NEC, Birmingham.

Organised by the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), this year’s Learning Live programme is set to be five times bigger than the education offered at previous SALTEX exhibitions with 49 seminars now confirmed. It will provide grounds and open space practitioners across all disciplines, volunteer as well as professional, with a daily feast of free knowledge-gathering sessions in one, easy to access, location.


Some of the experts involved in the Learning Live sessions

The sessions will take place in three dedicated Learning Live seminar theatres on the SALTEX show floor, plus the Young Groundsman’s Conference, in Gallery Suites opposite the SALTEX entrance. These will all feature industry-leading experts and some of the top names in European groundsmanship.

The IOG Gaining Ground theatre, found on Stand A180, will be hosted by journalist and talkSPORT radio presenter Mark Saggers. These sessions are based around the content at the IOG’s traditional annual conference event.

Other sessions include Head groundsmen; Neil Stubley from Wimbledon, Alan Ferguson from St George’s Park; young IOG director Stuart Mackley from Reading FC and Dan Prest, the IOG’s new education and training manager will all be providing invaluable advice on what is expected if you want to progress in the turf industry. The How to Get Young People Involved in your Work Place seminar will see Tony Stones from Wembley Stadium; Richard Ayling from Merchant Taylors’ School and young IOG director James Pope from St Paul’s School reveal how they engage, motivate and develop young people in the industry. Steve Woolland, a leading people development consultant will encourage delegates to get a head start in his The Art of Good Leadership and Management presentation while the IOG Young Board of Directors will be available for one-to-one question and answer sessions.

Many of the LEARNING LIVE seminars have CPD points connected to them. No pre-booking is required – simply ensure that you arrive promptly to make sure you get a seat.

View the full Learning Live programme.