Seventy-six years of history has repeated itself at SALTEX 2022 as yet again the show delivered exactly what the groundscare industry wanted and has come to expect: the latest technologies, products, innovations and learning opportunities to unite every corner of the industry and shape the landscape of groundscare for 2023.
From all-electric tractors to robotics, sustainability to technology, new innovations to industry favourites, ground-breaking ideas to thought provoking debates, the show inspired those who attended and represented all that is current, relevant, and impactful about the groundscare industry.
Hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors met, networked, sealed deals, and built knowledge at Europe’s largest annual groundscare event with Allan Harvey from Ashlandscapes commenting: “We’ve been coming to SALTEX for the last 20 years. We come to see what new products are coming out that could benefit our business, see old friends, and meet new people. SALTEX is a show which delivers what we want it to year after year.”
The show spread over three halls and brought together the manufacturers and suppliers, visitors and speakers, governing bodies and associations who impact the industry, help create and educate the next generation of groundstaff and provide the knowledge and technology to propel the groundscare industry into the future.
Talking about this year’s event and its role in providing the industry with what it wants and needs, GMA CEO Geoff Webb said: “The continued participation be that as a speaker, exhibitor or a visitor creates a buzz unrivalled in our industry. Whether its networking, checking out the latest equipment and products, to catch up with friends or to learn from experts SALTEX has it all under one roof and yet again we have delivered. We look forward to welcoming the industry back in 2023.”
The theme for this years’ show, the biggest in Europe, was sustainability and that was evident across the whole event. An increased number of grounds personnel, greenkeepers, landscapers and contractors were looking for products that deliver quality results but also reduce carbon footprints to the environment, and SALTEX delivered with the latest innovations and products, daily demonstrations of cutting-edge sustainable technology and advice on how green technology could benefit current working practices.
Leila Fuerst, sustainability advisor from idverdi, says: “My job is in sustainability so the fact that the theme of the show was sustainability was the draw to attend. It’s an important and current industry topic which SALTEX is addressing. Almost all the Learning LIVE seminars touch on the subject and there are a couple of seminars I’ll be attending to hear different viewpoints.”
There was an all-encompassing Learning LIVE education programme with 35 free-to-attend seminars from expert speakers from the UK and abroad who focussed on the vital issues affecting the industry.
As the only independently audited show of its kind in the UK, the GMA looks forward to presenting its visitor research for the 2022 show as soon as the audit has been completed. But with a record number of exhibitors, brands and Learning LIVE speakers and so many positive visitor comments left for the organisers, its success speaks for itself as the doors closed on the 76th year.
