It feels like an awfully long time since we've been able to say this, but it's SALTEX at the NEC next week!
Following 2020's enforced absence, the GMA's show for commercial turf care returns to its now traditional late-autumn slot - and I for one am genuinely curious to see just what sort of show it turns out to be.
First and foremost, will punters rock up in their droves? Pre-pandemic we'd become used to the halls filling to busy and buzzy levels during certain times of the day. Will we see scenes like this repeated next week?
Wednesday and Thursday have the potential to be the first time the sector has met in any great numbers, for getting on for two years. We had the poorly attended Festival Of Turf and SAGE shows back in the summer, but I don't think those can really be taken as an accurate gauge of the industry's appetite for such things. Whilst both well-intentioned, those events can perhaps be accused of arriving a little too soon and indeed at a less than ideal time of the year for their intended audiences.
SALTEX on the other hand has established itself in this late-October / early-November slot and they boast a much more extensive list of exhibiting companies than either of those summer shows - with one or two notable absentees of course (..ahem.. STIHL and JD).
But will that be enough to draw visitors back through the NEC's doors? It's difficult to generalise, but I can well believe that there will be a section of SALTEX's regular audience who still don't feel comfortable mixing in large, indoor gatherings. It seems feasible that the lack of a legal mask mandate for example, could well contribute to the nervousness of some, and a reluctance to participate in an indoors trade show quite yet.
Equally though, I can also see how there not being a law to wear a mask inside could actually encourage others to attend. Conducting a conversation in a noisy and echo-filled sportshall is difficult at the best of times - so who knows? To be fair to SALTEX they have certainly done their best in advance to quell fears, by publishing an extensive list of Covid-safety protocols.
So what will you, our dealer readers, be doing? Are you planning on visiting? Or is it still not quite right for you? Do let us know in the comments below.
Product on show?
The other interesting aspect of the show, will be just how much new product is being touted by the exhibitors?
Coming off the back of this season, where getting hold of any new product has been at a premium, will the manufacturers be confident in drumming up interest amongst the professional end-users for machinery that could prove tricky to reach showrooms in 2022?
We are hearing from industry experts not to expect the supply chain crisis to sort itself out in any meaningful way until 2023 at best. So will your suppliers be looking to excite turf professionals with the promise of shiny of new kit, full of innovative bells and whistles?
My guess is they will, as that's what a show is all about. But let's hope they are at least upfront when it comes to managing customer expectations. If not, dealers on the front line could well find themselves getting it in the ear again, if it transpires that delivery isn't quite what it should be.
Aside from the manufacturers' stands, the show has other facets to tempt along visitors. There's the Eco Village, the Innovation Awards, a display of vintage machinery and an extensive lineup of talks and debates. One such presentation that I will just draw your attention to involves Service Dealer contributor and editor of our sister title TurfPro, Laurence Gale. Loz will be offering his expertise in a discussion entitled. ‘The impact of Covid and climate change on green spaces’. This will take place on Thursday November 4, commencing at 10.00am in Theatre 2.
Service Dealer will be there for both days too, with a stand at F109. Do pop by and say hi if you make it to Birmingham. It will be fascinating to see how many dealers do choose to attend - and importantly, just what they make of the event.
