THERE was much to admire about the new look SALTEX. After more than 70 years on the road using outdoor venues (Hurlingham, Motspur Park, East of England Showground and Windsor Racecourse), the IOG finally took the inevitable decision to move inside. And once taken, Birmingham’s NEC is probably the ‘banker’ option, if only for location, facilities and accessibility.
The change of timing was right. Early Sept was always too early, too much going on. The reduction to two days was also spot-on. But in doing so, it was clear that huge pressures were heaped on stand-holders, particularly on the first day.
Costs for staging a show at the NEC are always going to be a critical issue (with some exhibitors remarking that they have attended other shows at the NEC which were less expensive). But the industry is incredibly loyal to both IOG and BIGGA, and support their events because they want to support the two organisations - whilst getting commercial benefit from the events of course.
On two dank, dark November days, the halls were pleasant environments, easily walkable, well-laid out, with plenty going on in the lecture theatres. It was not dominated by the major players whose stands were large but not overpowering. Any visitor, whatever their role and reason for visiting, cannot fail to have had a rewarding day
Crucially, the exhibitors, were almost universally happy. And happy exhibitors make the future re-selling task for the organisers that much easier. One told me, “I have done more business off my stand in a day and a half than I would have done in six days at Windsor.”
The Awards dinner on the Wednesday night attracted a massive attendance of over 600 – a daunting logistical challenge for even the largest of organisations. Yet is was managed efficiently by the IOG staff. There was very little out-of-order chatter during the long proceedings compared to some Awards ceremonies that I have attended in the past.
Inevitably, there will be areas for the IOG to consider post-show that either didn’t go to plan, that irked or can be improved. The £12 parking charge was a turn-off to many visitors, particularly as it had not been prominently flagged up in advance.
The IOG will being taking a deep breath today and reflecting on an event with which they can, justifiably be extremely pleased. “Exceeded our expectations,” said Geoff Webb when we met briefly towards the end of the show.
Yet, the show brought into greater focus the ‘Question That Won’t Go Away’. We now have two indoor industry shows within three months of one another – and much closer together geographically. SALTEX, in its new format at the NEC, can surely only succeed when it attracts the major players every year. It could probably get away with their absence in alternate years at Windsor. But at the high-maintenance NEC?
We operate within a small, close knit industry of increasing professionalism. There are two fine competing, but complementary, trade associations for those engaged in the groundscare industry. Forget the +30,000 that use to trek to the IOG shows of old. The industry has changed. The market has changed. Shows have changed.
Surely, the future is in one show if it is to be annually – or IOG and BIGGA events in alternate years. Ultimately, the exhibitors will have final say on that.
