With SALTEX taking place at the Birmingham NEC on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd of November, we're only two months out now from what is one of the most important industry events of the year for our turf professional readers.
Alongside the manufacturer exhibits, one aspect of the show that keeps visitors returning year on year is the wealth of educational opportunities available. Called Learning Live, there are sessions across the show-floor each day that are well-worth taking some time out of your day to hear what the experts have to say and to enter the discussion with your fellow practitioners.
Below we've listed the seminars that the show has announced for November - so get thinking now and marking up your schedule for what will be the most beneficial for you.
To perhaps offer a little inspiration, TurfPro editor Laurence Gale is today offering his Pick Of The Day for both Wednesday and Thursday, for a session he thinks can't be missed.
Laurence says, "I will be attending this year’s SALTEX and making most of the two-day show. I personally find it a must-attend event for keeping up with the latest innovations and products that make our jobs of maintaining sports facilities more efficient and effective.
"The sharing of information has always been a distinguishing feature of our profession and in recent years we have seen the introduction of the popular Learning LIVE sessions at the show.
"This year we have eleven presentations to choose from over the two days of the show. You can read below my recommendations if I had to choose just one from each days' lineup to attend."
WEDNESDAY 2nd November
10:00 - 10:30: Theatre 1
Wimbledon in the future
- with Neil Stubley, Head of Courts & Horticulture, All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club
The All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club's (AELTC) ambitious tennis court expansion project.
10.00 - 10.30: Theatre 3
Plant Parasitic Nematode Management
- with Deborah Cox, Founder, Langan Valley Scientific
This session will cover the two key types of nematode that can cause problems in cool season turf – looking at trends, how to interpret nematode test results, how to get the most out of a nematicide application, and an introduction to emerging areas of research in the battle against the problems these organisms cause.
10:45 - 11:15: Theatre 1
Strategy for grassroots football
- with Robert Sullivan, CEO, Football Foundation
The Football Foundation's strategic ambitions to improving grass pitch quality at grassroots level.
12:15 - 12:45: Theatre 1
Tottenham Hotspur promotes biodiversity
- with Nick Phillips, Training Centre Manager, Tottenham Hotspur FC; Gary Lee, Head Groundsman, Tottenham Hotspur FC Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur FC's sustainability showcase for biodiversity methods in grounds management.
* Laurence Gale's PICK OF THE DAY*
14.30 - 15.15: Theatre 1
Reducing the impact of future water restrictions on golf and sports turf
- with Tony Hanson, Managing Director, Environmental Solutions International; Robin Price, Director of Quality and Environment, Anglian Water
Temporary use bans and changes to water abstraction will prevent golf courses and sports turf irrigation in 2025 so you need to act now to create water resilience. This session discusses the Water Charter and how to engage with it.
Laurence says, "A very topical subject that this year has impacted on all of us in one way or another. The drought conditions have been a wake up call regarding how we should start to think about water conservation and being more savvy on how we use this valuable commodity.
"There are going to be much tighter controls demanded by water authorities in the coming years. From 2025 for example, there will be a series of water restrictions that we need to be aware of. We will all need to find new ways of conserving, storing and using water more efficiently."
THURSDAY 3rd November
10:00 - 10:30: Theatre 1
Maintaining Synthetic Turf in 2022 - with Colin Corline, Project Manager
- SAPCA; David James, Managing Director, Labosport Ltd; Alastair Cox, Technical Director, European Synthetic Turf Council
Considering the environment with Sports and Play Construction Association's (SAPCA) new guidance.
10:00 - 10:30: Theatre 3
Hybrid in the community
- with Richard Earl, Principal Consultant, TGMS
Richard reveals data findings from the Sport England hybrid pitch pilot for community use in Regents Park, London.
11:30 - 12:00: Theatre 1
Hybrid Pitches in Schools
- with Daniel Ratling, Grounds & Estates Manager, Whitgift School; Richard Earl, Principal Consultant, TGMS; James Welsh, Technical Director, White Horse Contractors
Whitgift Schools recent hybrid pitch installation was the first in the independent school sector. This session covers the rationale, the design/planning process, the construction, the project outcomes and the ongoing maintenance and renovation.
12:15 - 12:45: Theatre 2
Recycling synthetic turf in the UK
- with Colin Corline, Project Manager, SAPCA; David James, Managing Director, Labosport Ltd; Alastair Cox, Technical Director, European Synthetic Turf Council
Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA) discusses the options, the implications and the cost.
* Laurence Gale's PICK OF THE DAY*
12:15 - 12:45: Theatre 1
Raising cricket pitch standards at elite level
- with Gary Barwell, Head of SportsTurf & Grounds, Edgbaston Cricket; Karl McDermot, Head Groundsman, Lord’s; Steve Birks, Head Groundsman, Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
How new cricket formats are impacting on the modern-day grounds manager.
Laurence says, "With three of the world’s top cricket groundsman talking about the pressures they face delivering a plethora of cricket formats on their grounds during a demanding summer of cricket fixtures, this will be a most informative presentation that will resonate will every cricket club in the UK.
"The constant demand for cricket in recent years has been huge and the skills of producing a cricket wicket often go unrecognised. Planning , maintaining and producing safe and consistent cricket pitches is both time consuming and comes at a cost. I am sure there will be some fascinating and thought provoking points made by these dedicated turf professionals."
14:30 - 15:00: Theatre 1
Raising Premier Rugby pitch standards
- with Catherine Hall, Head of Rugby Operations, Premiership Rugby; David James, Managing Director, Labosport Ltd
An introduction to the Premiership Rugby Ltd programme and how PQS improves a Premiership Rugby pitch - using assessments to incorporate into grounds management.
