Grounds Management Association organises Saltex 2025 aiming to energise grounds management with new interactive features and industry-leading innovations
Saltex 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark event in the European grounds management calendar, showcasing a remarkable blend of innovation, education, and community engagement. Organised by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), this year’s event takes place on 12-13 November at Birmingham’s NEC and promises to be the most dynamic and interactive yet, evolving directly in response to feedback from visitors and exhibitors.
Sarah Cunningham, the GMA’s director of commercial and events, highlights how Saltex continues to mirror the evolving needs of the grounds industry. She emphasises the stronger sense of interaction and discovery visitors can expect, reinforced by new initiatives such as free parking arranged with the Football Foundation to improve accessibility. “The show is by the industry, for the industry,” she notes, underscoring the authentic value Saltex brings to its community, particularly as every surplus is reinvested into the sector through the GMA’s work.
Among the key additions this year is The Workshop, a hands-on learning zone offering practical machinery demonstrations led by respected turf expert Tom Stidder. This feature aims to bring theory to life by providing actionable guidance on mowing, sprayer calibration, and tractor use, benefiting both community-level volunteers and professional grounds teams alike. Complementing this is The Arcade, a new, informal space designed to make networking and learning more engaging and social.
Education remains central to the event’s appeal, with the return of the accredited Learning LIVE programme featuring expert-led seminars on turf management, environmental sustainability, leadership, and innovation. This is further bolstered by the expanded GMA NextGen initiative, aimed at raising the profile and opportunities for early-career professionals in grounds management. Celebrity guest James Haskell will add energy with a keynote talk and a live DJ set in The Clubhouse, where visitors can also find sport-specific meet-ups and dedicated social spaces.
Saltex 2025 is also set to showcase cutting-edge technologies and equipment shaping the future of grounds care. Industry leaders such as Kersten UK, AriensCo, MATABI, Grantex Specialist Aggregates, SGL, and Campey Turf Care Systems will display innovations ranging from professional-grade mowing solutions to advanced pitch care and specialist aggregates. These offerings reflect the show’s theme ‘Power Up Your Performance’, which captures the ambition to energise the sector through smart technology and expert advice.
The event’s layout fosters connectivity with zones like the Community Sports Zone, which facilitates direct engagement between clubs, volunteers, and manufacturers like Dennis, Sisis, Iseki, and GreenTek. Positioned alongside the GMA Hub, this zone provides access to national governing bodies including the Football Foundation, ECB, RFU, and RFL, along with a new Football Foundation Grant Funding Desk that offers vital advice on securing grants for grassroots pitches and facilities.
Saltex has long been regarded as Europe’s premier grounds management show, attracting thousands of attendees from over 55 countries. With over 400 leading brands and more than 60 influential speakers, it’s a pivotal event for professionals across sports turf, landscaping, and grounds management seeking to advance their skills, explore turf technology breakthroughs, and build industry connections. The show’s combination of practical workshops, expert seminars, live demonstrations, and social networking positions it as an indispensable platform for the sector’s growth and innovation.
In sum, Saltex 2025 promises not only to power up professional performance but to strengthen the sense of community and shared purpose that defines the grounds management industry. As Sarah Cunningham concludes, it’s this community focus that gives the show its unmatched authenticity and value, reaffirming its role as an essential event created by and for the sector.