Following the 2024 edition that delivered over 19 hours of expert-led content to more than 1,000 attendees, Learning LIVE returns to the NEC Birmingham on 12-13 November 2025 at SALTEX 2025.
With CPD-accredited sessions, brand new cutting-edge topics and industry legends sharing their expertise, it is a must-attend feature.
The programme has been more precisely tailored than ever, with sessions designed to meet the genuine needs of groundspeople.
Meet the headliners:
- Alan Ferguson, FIFA Senior Pitch Management Manager, kicks off with a deep dive into ‘The preparation and delivery of FIFA 2026 World Cup’. With nearly 50 years of experience, having overseen 23 FIFA tournaments across all six confederations and more than 1,000 stadium games globally, Alan will share exclusive insights from pitch research at Tennessee and Michigan State Universities, plus a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s FIFA Club World Cup.
- Graeme Beatt, Course Manager at Royal Portrush Golf Club, will deliver ‘Course success at the 153rd Open Championship’. Discover how Dunluce Links’ was prepared for this year’s Open Championship and the changes and challenges experienced since the event was last hosted at Royal Portrush six years ago.
- A standout panel tackles ‘Future-proofing turf management: Water resilience in a changing climate’, featuring: Tony Hanson, Managing Director - Environmental Solutions International; Roger Davey, Managing Director - Irritech Limited; and Mark Hunt, Technical Specialist - Prodata Weather Systems Visitors can expect practical strategies on irrigation innovation, alternative water sources and weather-driven planning - all designed to help you build a resilient water strategy.
- Jack Matthews, Director of Programmes at the Football Foundation, shares the latest on multi-sport facility funding in ‘The Football Foundation’s multi-sport funding strategy’. From grassroots to national initiatives, Jack’s session is essential for community clubs and volunteers seeking funding to transform local sports facilities.
- Lee Guerriero, Stadium Operations and Pitch Expert at UEFA, returns with ‘UEFA Champions League, Nations League final & Women's EURO 2025 pitch preparations’. Lee, who manages UEFA’s pitch support programmes for major club and national competitions, has contributed to global events including the Olympics, FIFA World Cups and UEFA’s VAR and goal-line technology programmes.
- Neil Rodger, Principal Project Manager at STRI Group, rounds off the programme with ‘The pros and cons of different hybrid pitch surfaces’. Neil is an experienced consultant whose portfolio includes designing Saudi Arabia’s first turf horse racetrack and advising on elite football surfaces in the UK and internationally.
SALTEX’s Learning LIVE is the largest dedicated learning programme in the grounds sector - and it’s completely free! Join us at the NEC, Birmingham, on 12-13 November 2025.
Register now and power up your skills with expert-led sessions that shape the future of grounds management. Everyone who has registered will be entered into a prize draw to win a Cramer Tools All Terrain Lawn Mower ATM53A, complete with charger and battery, worth £2,240
