The British &
International Golf Greenkeepers Association has revealed further improvements
to the annual BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), which will elevate the
event to even greater heights.
Prior to BTME 2018,
BIGGA revealed a comprehensive set of changes and improvements to the annual
exhibition for 2019 and beyond, including expanding the size of the exhibition
by up to 25%.
The new layout
contains more opportunities than ever for visitors to interact with exhibitors,
gain knowledge and support and experience an enhanced Continue to Learn
education programme.
With a little over
five months to go until BTME, to be held in January 2019, BIGGA has released
details of even more innovations to the exhibition, including Golf Course
Construction Live, in which various aspects of golf course construction will
take place before the visitor’s eyes.
There will also be
an area of the exhibition dedicated to new products, a golf simulator hosted by
Perennial and Rigby Taylor and a theatre on the show floor where short seminars
will take place.
As in previous
years, Continue to Learn will kick off the week, from Sunday 20 January 2019.
Already the most extensive programme of turf maintenance education in Europe,
the offering has been expanded even further with an all-new Deputy’s Conference
intended for those looking to make the step up to management of a course.
The new Links Forum
will have education tailored specifically for those working on or wishing to
learn more about links courses, while the Ecology & Environment Forum will
focus upon sustainability and the environment.
BIGGA Head of Member
Development Sami Strutt said: “I’m very excited to reveal the Continue to Learn
at BTME 2019 education programme. There will be more than 70 speakers and 80
education offerings, so there should be something for everyone!”
BTME itself will run
from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 January 2019 and exhibitors have embraced the
changes that the association has made to the exhibition’s layout. A total of
140 exhibitors attended BTME 2018 and BIGGA is on course to substantially exceed
that number.
Campey Turf Care
Systems was one of the first to recognise the massive potential of the new plan
and the machinery distributor has more than doubled the size of its stand,
booking 200m2.
Richard Campey said:
“BTME has always been a major event in the Campey calendar, attracting our
overseas as well as UK dealers. We anticipate BTME 2019 being our most
successful yet.”
So far, returning
exhibitors have purchased an average of 10.5% extra space compared to BTME
2018.
BIGGA Chief
Executive Officer Jim Croxton said: “The support we have received from our
partners and exhibitors has vindicated the decision we made to restructure the
BTME experience. Our exhibitors were eager to expand and really showcase their
wares and I’m delighted we have been able to offer this opportunity and that
they have supported our decision so emphatically.
“Over the coming
months we’re looking forward to unveiling even more industry-leading
innovations to ensure BTME 2019 is not only our best event ever, but also one
of the best events the turf management industry has ever seen.”
