For two days this week the UK turf industry's attention will be focused on a couple of halls at Birmingham's NEC.
Wednesday and Thursday sees the IOG's SALTEX exhibition take place for the third time at the indoor venue during November. And I have to say, this really does now feel like well established fixture in the industry calendar.
I would imagine there are still some fans of the old school who would prefer an outdoor show in September. However, these voices certainly seem to be less prevalent than when the show first moved. Whether this is because the doubters have been won over by the new format, or whether they are just resigned to the fact that things have changed and there's no point getting worked up about it, it's hard to say.
I was reminded of this situation with my other hat on as editor of TurfPro's sister title Service Dealer last week. That publication aimed at retailers of outdoor powered equipment, covers agricultural machinery dealers as well as the professional and domestic machinery guys. A hugely significant exhibition in the Ag sector, LAMMA, just announced that they will be moving from their outdoor home at the East Of England Showground during January, to the decidedly warmer confines of the NEC a week earlier than normal in January 2019.
What this does mean for dealers and exhibitors with an interest in both agricultural and commercial turf care equipment is that the exhibition will no longer clash with BIGGA's BTME in Harrogate. Although to be fair this isn't actually happening this coming January either - whether this is by luck or judgement, I'm not sure.
But converse to a lot of the chatter which I recall from when SALTEX first announced its move, the initial reactions to LAMMA's change by our dealer readers were overwhelmingly positive. And you can't get a more 'outdoors-y' industry than farming.
The reasoning for being open to the move is that people seem to like the idea of holding a professional business show in an environment to be proud of - where the weather can't dictate the atmosphere. A proper showcase for the industry can be held.
And I think this is precisely what has happened with SALTEX. Yes, in an ideal world there would be more of split between indoors and outdoors stands like at the American GIE-EXPO show. But finding a UK venue which offers those facilities and a time of year where that would suit, isn't really possible.
What the IOG have achieved with the show in the last couple of years is genuinely admirable. And it's being improved upon all the time. This year's educational Learning Live programme for example is being described by the Institute as the biggest and best ever. They now have four seminar theatres running diverse sessions across both days, featuring experts from top stadia and sporting venues, designed to enlighten and expand visitors' knowledge.
Their Awards evening which takes place in the evening following the first day of the show has become a truly impressive event. A press release sent out by the IOG says that Wednesday's event will have an 800-strong audience. That is huge! And clearly illustrates the regard which the industry holds the ceremony in.
And of course not forgetting the machinery and services exhibition itself. The official website says there are 290 exhibitors this year - so there will definitely be something to pique the interest of anyone with even a passing association with the industry.
Obviously, there are always costs involved in visiting an exhibition - and not just the tangible ones like travel, accommodation and food. The time spent away from the place of work needs to be considered as well.
However, making sure all these things can be absorbed, a visit to the NEC this week seems well worth a turf professional's time, money and effort.
And if you do find yourself there, the team from TurfPro will be on stand M030 - so do say hi!
