The second SALTEX at the Birmingham NEC closed its doors Thursday afternoon last week and probably the biggest compliment one could pay it is to say that it felt normal and that the show belonged there.

The show was bigger this year and I honestly felt it had an upbeat and optimistic atmosphere. Clearly though there will be some who will still yearn for the 'good old days' of Windsor and who aren't happy with this new incarnation.

An area of displeasure which still seems to be cropping up in online comments I've read is the £12 car parking fee charged by the NEC. I must say I genuinely find this a bit perplexing. Firstly, the IOG made sure this fee was waived for its members. Secondly the idea of £12 once a year to attend a major trade show, within which there are ample educational opportunities to help advance careers as well as being able to view the latest machinery and service developments - well it doesn't sound that bad to me for working professionals. OK, there's petrol to account for as well and overpriced coffee and sandwiches - but isn't that the same wherever one goes? And I would assume that a good majority of people don't come in their car alone, so fees can be split?

Times are of course hard for everyone; I just think this carparking issue is somewhat overblown. Anyway, other than that the show did seem to be working as organisers, exhibitors and visitors would like it to.
Well that said, the inside halls did. The outside area . . . not so much.

It wouldn't surprise me if this experiment was quietly dropped for next year's edition. It was a tiny area and pretty well hidden. I didn't see any signposting for it within the main exhibition halls - and precious little in the atrium you had to walk through to get out to it. Once found, it could barely be described as a demonstration area. Nothing was really being cut or dug or chopped. It was more like some machines were parked up outside as opposed to being parked up inside.

I pity the poor reps who had to spend a couple of days stood outside in the cold November chill, but at least it stayed dry for them. When I went out there, despite the halls being very busy, there were very few visitors to keep these reps company.

I of course admire the IOG for responding to visitor feedback and trying something new this year, but it just feels like the NEC isn't geared up for this sort of thing. Hopefully now the show has established itself as an indoor exhibition, the organisers can be confident enough in its success to just leave it at that. I would suspect that feedback on this outside area this year will mostly be along the lines of 'thanks, but no thanks'.

But not to dwell on the slight negative, the show without a doubt felt buzzy and vibrant with business being carried out across the stands.

I spoke to many exhibitors and a common theme became apparent - the show in its new format is attracting a high calibre of visitor. It was, in the main, decision makers and purchasers who were coming through their stands, often in their droves. Windsor might have seen a greater volume of attendees in the past, but it was often used a day-out, tyre-kicking event for the whole team. Now it very much appears that it's the top guys from their place of work attending. Which is fabulous news for the companies who've paid to exhibit.

Also significantly, these quality visitors are now attending from across the country, not just the south-east. Its travel links really are a big tick in favour of the NEC (despite an accident on the motorway on day 2 which seemed to delay the halls filling up until about 11.30).

And once at the NEC, there was certainly plenty for the turf professional to get their teeth into. As well as the exhibition itself, four seminar theatres across the venue offered a rolling, comprehensive programme of education and insight. Some were of course better attended than others, but there was real breadth and choice across the sessions. Even just a single day visit would have allowed the organised visitor to take in a good selection of seminars.

I genuinely feel a well done is in order for the IOG team for organising and establishing this new version of SALTEX. Next year it should feel even more like a normal, valued fixture in the calendar.