An independent audit has confirmed that the combined attendance over the two day exhibition totalled an impressive 8,909 – the highest ever since SALTEX moved to the NEC, Birmingham.
After two successful days, the 72nd SALTEX exhibition came to a close on 2 November and by all accounts it was a resounding success. Over the past two years the exhibition has recorded an encouraging and consistent flux of visitors on each occasion, but this year a boom of visits seemed to be apparent.
The show’s debut year at the NEC in 2015 saw 8,714 attendees, 2016 recorded 8,754 and this year saw a record 8,909 – which didn’t go unnoticed by exhibitors.
With more than 300 exhibitors showcasing their products and services, SALTEX visitors were treated to an impressive line-up of world-class innovation.
“I’m like a kid in a toy shop”, said Stuart Kerrison, Essex CCC head groundsman. “There are so many fantastic products and it’s nice to be able to see them and have a good close-up look before you make any purchases.”
Chris Wood, pitches consultant at England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), suggested that SALTEX is a place where some of the greatest industry ideas are born. “The value of a show like this is being able to talk to colleagues from other codes of sport and share ideas. Not only that, it is a place to challenge exhibitors about new technology and that is how new innovation comes about.”
He continued; “I’ve been in this business for 50 years and the opportunities for young groundsmen now, compared to when I first started, are profound.”
Indeed, there were plenty of opportunities at SALTEX 2017. Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s all-encompassing education programme, featured over 100 high-profile speakers and 26 hours of free seminars; Pathology and Soil Science LIVE enabled visitors to solve any problematic soil profiles; career advice was on hand through the all-new Job Clinic and turf management advice from IOG regional pitch advisors was readily available through Ask the Expert.
SALTEX 2018 will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 31 October-1 November.
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