This year's Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry Awards event will break all attendance records as more than 500 seats have already been booked -more than ever before - five weeks out from the event.

The awards acknowledge the high standards achieved by volunteer and professional teams as well as individuals at facilities ranging from grassroots to professional stadia level.

Now in its seventh year, the awards event - which enjoys headline sponsorship by Rigby Taylor and Top Green - will be staged at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel on Wednesday 4 November, the opening day of the SALTEX exhibition at the neighbouring NEC.

Host Mark Saggers from talkSPORT radio will announce the winners of the 19 award categories and renowned impressionist Alistair McGowan will provide the after-dinner entertainment.

Commenting, IOG chief executive Geoff Webb says, "The annual awards have gone from strength to strength since they were launched, which is testament to their continued popularity.

"We're especially pleased at the record number of advance bookings this year when the event is being held alongside SALTEX - which itself has more exhibitors than it did last year. Together, the awards and SALTEX will showcase everything that is great about the groundscare industry."