PROFIT FROM PARTS DIARY OF A SEASON - LONGHAM MOWERS FACE TO FACE - KUBOTA'S DAVE ROBERTS TRAINING & EDUCATION LAUNCH OF BUSINESS MONITOR INDUSTRY AWARDS INFO BTME & LAMMA REVIEWS PRODUCT NEWS JIM GREEN
ALSO THE RETURN OF
WATCH OUT FOR AN EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT FRIDAY!
WHEN stuck for something to write about, I’ve found that over the years the subject of shows and exhibitions has always been ‘banker’ editorial.
The demise of Smithfield and The Royal, the one-year wonder of the GMA show at Kempton Park, the rise and rise of LAMMA, SALTEX moves to Peterborough , . and back, have all been analysed, dissected and discussed at length
You often wonder whether a two or three-day event taken in the context of twelve months of trading warrants such coverage? That said, I do believe that in this age of instant and remote communications, that any opportunity for a group of like-minded people to mix and mingle on neutral ground is be welcomed and supported.
So far this year, shows in general, whether the weather-influenced mayhem of LAMMA, BTME Harrogate or the recent Executive Hire Show have all reported renewed optimism and confidence amongst exhibitors and visitors.
However one trade magazine, have laid into the IOG once again. Citing shows as the barometer for discontent, BTME in January is described as a ‘haven’ and the ‘premier turf show for the industry’, whilst IOG’s SALTEX is said to be ‘falling well behind’, ‘fast losing favour’ and ‘only a matter of time before it closes’. But then they have probably been saying that since the show’s inception in 1938!
Editorial comment is always fully justified, but to damn a show six months before it opens?
There is clearly still little love lost between Pitchcare (for it is they) and the IOG. The emergence of an organisation like Pitchcare cannot help but sharpen the minds of the establishment - and we do need robust debate and left-field thinking,
But this looks personal.
However, no genuine comparison can be made between a formally constituted body with agreed governance and responsibility to its paid membership - and an unelected commercial operation which draws its agenda from bloggers, message boards and discontents. They are very different.
Could Pitchcare’s gripe go futher though? They say that their message board (eg policy committee) continually levels criticism that IOG are out of touch with grass-roots groundsman and, by inference, are only interested in the elite.
If that were the case, why do we now have celebrity chefs, bakers, gardeners et al? We can all learn off our peers, nobody should stop learning or being inspired by the achievements of those who have made it to the top.
Let’s bring on Celebrity Mowtivators staring Paul, Keith, Neil and ‘Lords’ Mick and Eddie!
There are different shades of opinion in the industry about the frequency, location and format of shows - not least by the stakeholders and organisers of the current events. Different factors can either bring success or derail their efforts - many of which are out of their direct control.
I would always rather we reflected on reality rather than plant negatives ahead of the actual events.
PS: The sun has just come out, the forecast is set fair for the week ahead. Cast aside the sand-bags, open the tills . . .!
