BTME 2016 has been boosted by the confirmation that a major industry Convention will be held during the week in Harrogate.

The Golf Business and Industry Convention (GolfBIC) is presented by the UK Golf Course Owners Association (UKGCOA) and the Organisation of Golf & Range Operators (OGRO), and is a well-established and popular annual event attracting top presenters and a wide range of delegates from every corner of the golf industry.


L-R: Colin Jenkins, OGRO Chairman; Colin Mayes, Chairman of UKGCOA; BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton; and Andy Lloyd-Skinner, CEO of UKGCOA

It’s now confirmed that the 2016 event will take place on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 January in purpose-built conference space in Hall Q of the Harrogate International Centre. Hall Q is open for the first time in several years to accommodate more and more exhibitors and visitors to the show.

Previous GolfBIC events have covered a diverse range of subjects from social media in the golf industry to recruiting golf professionals, and have included in-depth panel discussions on crucial industry issues. A centrepiece of GolfBIC has traditionally been the networking dinner and it is intended to retain this element of the Convention.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “We’re delighted to confirm that we will be hosting GolfBIC during BTME 2016. GolfBIC is one of the major events of the year in terms of attracting delegates from the whole spectrum of the golf industry.

“This event will attract even more key decision makers to BTME, reaffirming how important a week for the entire golf industry the third week of January is. I’m looking forward to sharing the HIC with GolfBIC delegates and presenters and I know all of our exhibitors will be very keen to talk business with them too.

“Decisions concerning on course spend are high on the list of priorities for golf club operators at present and it’s exciting to host an event which will attract even more of them to BTME. As well as a superb exhibition with five Halls and a first-class greenkeeper education programme, networking is a significant part of BTME’s enduring appeal and success and joining forces with another event will only enhance this.”

BIGGA Chairman Les Howkins MG added: "This opportunity for GolfBIC to join with BIGGA at BTME 2016 only goes to further demonstrate the strength of our annual exhibition and Continue to Learn education programme. As I believe this is the UK's premier sports turf exhibition it's a perfect time and place for the wider golf industry to share in our experiences and increase the traffic through the halls. Furthermore, as course managers look to move into higher level management jobs it also provides our members the chance to take up some high level non turf related education.”

Andy Lloyd-Skinner, CEO of UKGCOA, said: “The UKGCOA and OGRO have been delighted with the feedback from attendees to GolfBIC for the past few years, with the benefits of networking and the content of the presentations regularly receiving top marks.

“Despite this, both organisations want to take GolfBIC to the next level and having attended BTME in Harrogate for the past couple of years, I have been impressed with the way BIGGA has organised the educational programmes and improved attendances and the exhibition environment for exhibitors since I originally attended BTME in 2004. I am excited about GolfBIC 2016 at Harrogate in January and expect attendees to both enjoy the event and leave with some new ideas and an increased level of enthusiasm for the 2016 golf season.”

Colin Jenkins, OGRO Chairman said: "GolfBIC, a joint venture between OGRO and the UKGCOA, has for the last four years been the best attended golf course owner event in Europe. OGRO are delighted that GolfBIC will be held at Harrogate next January. The BTME show is already an excellent fixture on the golfing calendar and the inclusion of GolfBIC within it can only enhance its reputation.

“We will be working very closely with the UKGCOA and BIGGA to ensure that the sessions and speakers are of the highest order and that GolfBIC continues to be one of the most important events for golf operators of all types."