High-Calibre Visitors And Innovation Takes Centre Stage At SALTEX 2024

This year’s exhibition at the NEC Birmingham, the 78th edition, drew thousands of industry professionals and volunteers, where in-depth conversations led to strengthened relationships.

Visitors were able to see more than 30 new products making their UK debut, underscoring SALTEX as the premier platform for innovation. With over 20% of exhibitors attending for the first time, SALTEX continues to attract fresh talent and businesses eager to connect with influential industry leaders.

Susanna Anderson-Lewis from TurfSolv said: “SALTEX 2024 has been a very successful show for us. In addition to the number and quality of visitors to our stand, we were able to use this platform to launch and showcase our two new grass care products. Also, before the exhibition, the SALTEX team were more than helpful in cheerfully accommodating our stand requirements. The TurfSolv team look forward to exhibiting next year at SALTEX 2025.”

The high calibre of visitors this year underlines SALTEX’s status as a must-attend event. Almost 80% of attendees were senior decision-makers, with visitors from Premier League football clubs including Liverpool FC, Cheslea FC, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as world-class sports venues including Allianz Arena (FC Bayern Munich), Lord’s Cricket Ground, Red Bull Arena (RB Leipzig), Wembley Stadium, Doncaster Racecourse and Mattioli Woods Welford Road (Leicester Tigers).

Additionally, SALTEX welcomed representatives from leading educational institutions including Harrow School, Myerscough College, Eton College and Magdalen College School, alongside prominent universities such as Oxford University, Cambridge University, University of Leeds and Trinity College Dublin.

Many local authorities were also represented at SALTEX including Bristol City Council, Leeds City Council and Nottingham City Council, as well as notable estates such as Sandringham and The Royal Parks.

A growing representation of County Football Associations showcased the vital role of the volunteer network in grassroots sports. Among those in attendance were the London FA, Birmingham FA, Liverpool FA, and Sheffield and Hallamshire FA.

Geoff Webb, Grounds Management Association CEO said: “We’re really pleased with the success of SALTEX 2024. Each year, we work closely with the industry to ensure that SALTEX remains relevant, impactful and forward-thinking. Listening to our industry’s needs and evolving the event to match those expectations is at the heart of what we do.

“This year’s turnout, the quality of conversations and the level of innovation on display reflect that commitment. We’re already looking ahead to SALTEX 2025 and are excited to bring even more opportunities for engagement and collaboration to our attendees and exhibitors.”

Next year, SALTEX will return to its traditional November slot of 12-13 November 2025, better aligning with industry preferences and the grounds management calendar. SALTEX 2025 will also see a relocation to Halls 17, 18 and 19 at the NEC, introducing a refreshed layout designed to enhance the experience for both visitors and exhibitors.