Grounds management sector gears up for inaugural GMA Conference 2026 at Edgbaston
The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has unveiled a major new industry event: the GMA Conference 2026, a one‑day programme of practical learning and strategic discussion to be held at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on 12 March 2026. According to the announcement, the conference is designed to bring together practitioners, suppliers and sector leaders for an immersive day of case studies, workshops and panel debates aimed at informing and connecting grounds professionals.
Backed by platinum sponsor ISEKI and supported by industry names including ICL, Origin Amenity Solutions, Reesink UK, Agronomic Services Ltd, SGL, MJ Abbott and Premier Pitches, the programme promises a blend of technical and operational sessions with immediate takeaways for attendees. Industry data and sponsor statements indicate a strong supplier presence intended to showcase practical innovations and tools for the field.
The speaker line‑up announced so far spans agronomy, facility management and elite stadia grounds practice. Confirmed contributors include Ruth Mann of Agrii, Tony Hanson of Environmental Solutions International, Daniel Ratling (Grounds and Estate Manager, Whitgift School), broadcaster Mark Clemit, GMA’s Chris Hunter, and turf leads from the All England Lawn Tennis Club and Edgbaston Priory Tennis Club. The organisers say more names will be added to a programme tailored to deliver CPD‑rich sessions.
Practical sessions range from a behind‑the‑scenes look at Lord’s full‑scale pitch renovation to workshops on soil health, workforce development and leadership skills. The conference will offer delegates the option to build a personalised agenda, combining technical clinics with “soft skills” content intended to strengthen team leadership, communication and management , areas the association highlights as essential to long‑term service delivery.
Networking and site access are integral to the proposition: a guided tour of Edgbaston’s facilities is scheduled, and the conference concludes with the GMA Industry Awards the same evening. The awards, running since 2009, will take place at Edgbaston on 12 March and are set to recognise excellence across amateur, volunteer and professional grounds work, with judging panels and categories aimed at reflecting breadth across the sector. Nominations and entries for the awards are already open, underscoring the GMA’s push to combine learning with sector recognition.
The timing positions the new conference within a busy calendar for grounds professionals: SALTEX, Europe’s major grounds management show, is scheduled for November 2026 at The NEC, and industry stakeholders say a year‑round continuum of events supports ongoing professional development and supplier engagement. The GMA describes the conference as complementary to its wider 2026 education programme.
Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA, said: "We’re incredibly proud to be launching a dedicated conference for the sector in 2026. Grounds professionals operate in a fast‑changing environment, and there’s a real appetite for events that combine practical learning with the chance to connect with others facing similar challenges." The GMA is inviting registrations of interest now for early access to bookings and full programme details.