Due to work commitments I was not able to attend, so how was the show this year?
poor!
Got to agree robbo
7 Sep 2006 by fescue
Did anyone so to the IOG strategy launch? If so, was it more of the same?
7 Sep 2006 by Anthony Asquith Last edited 7 Sep 2006
Hi
I don`t realy rate the show to be honest so i don`t see the point in going
I much prefer BIGGA !!!
I spoke to many who over the last couple of years hasn`t attended and anything that the IOG is involved with is very mediocre nowadays
thanks
7 Sep 2006 by Mmmm
time for IOG and BIGGA to swallow their pride and join together to become one sports turf managers association. at the end of the today its a sport surface whether its golf, football, tennis or bowls etc.
7 Sep 2006 by Anthony Asquith Last edited 7 Sep 2006
Hi anne
Totaly agree but why do both parties refuse to "get into bed with each other" ?
It reminds me also of the reluctance to do the same with pitchcare !!!
Other than seeing PC as a threat why don`t they work together - after all we are all striving for the same thing (as you said anne) !
(i hear you all say not another PC V IOG/BIGGA thread)
thanks
7 Sep 2006 by Mmmm
its quite simple. too many bloody EGO's!!!!
i dare them to proove me wrong!
Anne
Couldn`t of put it better myself !!
Thanks
PS i`ve sent you a PM
7 Sep 2006 by Leeboy Last edited 7 Sep 2006
Found the show the poorest I have been to yet, yet again too many playground stuff needed to be climbed over to get to where you needed to be-why cant they group things together, that way it makes things easier to compare? Obviously they mix everything up to make you look at everything, but at the same time I am sure this puts people off going as well. As for the location, its awful to get to, I was advised to approach from Maidenhead to cut down on traffic which I did, and when I got there on Wednesday-10am-found myself not only in traffic, but upon entering the car park seemingly being punished for arriving so early by having a ten minute drive to the furthest car park away from everything I wanted to see-surely as the infrastructure of the show set up is on a racecourse, there must be another racecourse in the Midlands where it can be held? I am not overly keen on the Harrogate sighting due to abysmal parking in Harrogate, but it is a far far better show.
I did attend the strategy launch but had to leave after 10 minutes due to the poor timing of its launch-4pm-not very good for someone who set off at 6 in the morning from Manchester and had to then drive back afterwards.
I did however attend the FA Awards dinner, and it was good to people at professional level pick up their awards, especially John at Celtic for winning the overall award-but it was especially pleasing to see so many volunteer/part time groundsmen(and 1 woman!) rewarded as well. One note of concern was that of a pitch I myself judged in March at Durham City which has continually on past awards and was a runner up on this occasion. I had the pleasure of sitting with Tommy Porter who told me, as he had predicted in March, that the clubs owners had installed an artificial surface where the grass pitch once was, even worse was to come though when someone from the FA told me that due to a trade union threat of striking due to groundsmans job lossesthe artificial surface that was put off last year may well be installed next year at the San Siro, Milan as the dispute seems to have passed over. Did agree with Steve Welchs comments 100% about the poor standard that foreign clubs seem to accept as a 'pitch', having seen the poor surface first hand in Hamburg a year ago-the artificial debate will go on and on and ultimately we may all suffer due to the extremely poor standards set in some foreign stadia-British is Best!
I went down on tuesday , quite enjoted the day but without John Deere , Toro and Ransomes it was a bit of a let down .
The carrot cake at the Fleet stand was fantastic though .!!
7 Sep 2006 by Nifty Last edited 7 Sep 2006
I think the show was always going to be viewed as poor viewing without the larger manufacturers exhibiting , which was a shame as several important new pieces of machinery ended up shoehorned onto other peoples stands with no proper information or product launch to generate interest , from a company point of view for a hirer of equipment the show worked fairly well for us with a million leads to follow up and plenty of hires actioned , it also cannot be stressed highly enough that we have a commitment to maintaining our relationships with customers large and small and from that perspective we simply have to be there.
I spoke to one playground equipment supplier who was actually linked to some of the others so you can draw your own conclusions why they are not all grouped together , the traffic has and I suppose always will be bad even if you live close by or stay over , no easy answers to that one , the car park at the rear is to be avoided at all costs unless you are leaving early NEVER go in the gate on the East side (Marina) , I suppose we could look at other venues like Stonleigh etc in the future.
At least I got the chance to make some new aquaintances and see some old friends I haven,t seen in a long time , networking sometimes goes on till the early hours you know , especially in the Chicago Rocks bar , its a hard life being a salesperson especially when its up early to meet and greet and the boss expects results !
Its got to be purrrfect
7 Sep 2006 by Leeboy
I did avoid the Marina entrance and still ended up on the back car park, directed by a series of numpties who were stood around like zombies!
7 Sep 2006 by Anonymous
The biggest problem with most 'foreign' stadia that are high profile and usually on show in uefa cup or champs league is that they are owned and run by that countries version of the council, there is little point in explaining therefore as to their poor condition.
Secondly (and this will upset some people) alot of groundsmen in uk talk about being the best but less than a handful go out and challenge themselves in the different environments within europe and infact further than that.
if you people were truly passionate about continuing our great craft skilled industry you would not stay at a stadium for 10 years or more when there is nothing else to prove.
For sure each year brings new challenges and concerts (like they haven't been around since 1984!) but the weather patterns are basically the same and admit not many if any of you lose sleep at night-are you really all that challenged?
Your assistants should have a crack at the whip. there are huge challenges out there to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
The Australians put us to shame with their globetrotting particularly in golf where they have improved standards of turf maintenance beyond recognition in many hostile environments.
Ok so its not as easy as that-there are not many adverts for groundsman at san siro etc. but did anyone ever write a letter to the president of ac and inter to say that you are a sklilled turf manager from uk and due to your craft skills certain rescources and in the case of san siro a set of lighting rigs they can have a superb surface? after a few letters they would take notice.
At san siro they even wanted to pay to have the roof re-done to help the pitch how insane is that in comparison to getting a set of lights, two competant groundstaff and a decent construction!
Believe me 100% when I say if a plastic pitch goes into milan next year then the majority of stadia groundsmen in the pro leagues will face the prospect of redundancy or massive pay cuts within three seasons.
On the positive side 3g have been widely available since 1995 and were supposed to have taken over already. That is 11 years ago. However every pitch debacle such as the lithuania -scotland match to name the latest is another nail in the coffin for natural turf. We cannot afford any more.
What has any turf organisation in this country done about protecting our job security ?
7 Sep 2006 by Mal
I went on the Tuesday and was suprised at how well attended it seemed (first thing) but as the day wore on the crowds thined and a walk down the demonstration area I saw only a handfull of people compared to the space between the areas by 3.00. I was disapointed that the top guns weren't at the show but then I still saw enough to satisfy my visit. But then it is just down the road from me so I guess it could easily be different if I had to travel some distance.
Geography is everywhere
I travelled up from Plymouth - left at 0530.
Having never been there before, for me it was well worth it. I don't know either the people nor the equipment in this industry, so it will probably be worth me going for a few more years.
I arrived earlyish (0930) and left late (nearly 1800) so the traffic wasn't a major problem - but it was still busy. I've been to numerous massive shows at the NEC and have never experience traffic problems. Yes you would struggle to have demo's at the NEC - but then are the demo's really necessary.where there's a will there's a way.
I didn't bother going to the strategy launch - I decided I had better things to do and could read all the pointless postering another day.
Other than JD, Toro, Ransomes, I saw almost everything that I wanted/needed to. I'd have like to have seen Sisis there, but I suppose they too decided it wasn't worth the effort. I do understand that attending shows as an exhibitor is an expensive business and if it doesn't generate new business then it's a business decision whether to attend or not. But in every business' image is a big thing, and what I got from Saltex is that the big guys don't give a **** about their image nor about potentially picking up a new customer. Yes, I know the big guys run their own roadshows - but guess what, I don't want to see their kit on it's own.
I know that I wouldn't ever be classed as more than a tiny customer, but if tiny customers start avoiding the big players then it will hurt them big style - just as IBM.
EGO's are a big reason why shows don't join together - the computer industry is no different. Each and every show organiser believes that they are the best, and often would rather stop running completely rather than join with one of the others.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
7 Sep 2006 by Leeboy
Anonymous, you hit the nail on the head. I have been to the Gelredome, home of Vitesse Arnhem in Holland for the last two years and on both occasions it was a different groundsman, the reason we were told was that they use someone on a 'back to work' scheme for three months, then replace them with another for three months and so on and so on. It was a similar situation at De Kuip, home of Feyenoord, except in this case it was with the use of contractors looking after the pitch-nothing wrong with that in this country, but when you saw the standard they were working to it really is a sad state of affairs. A concern I had whilst visiting Hamburg was the state of the pitch-hardly a blade of grass in September, manager who trains on it three times a week without fail and white lines overmarked by the eyeline rather than a stringline, and you could tell. They were however using an artificial light rig the same as ours, a step in the right direction you may think? No, since then they have stopped using the lights and plan to install an artificial surface within two years......
7 Sep 2006 by sipho
And they say theres no cartel in the uk, The only reason they normally go to these shows is because their rivals go.
So if they dont "talk" to each other why were they not all at saltex???
Why are there prices near enough the same - why are their products cheaper in the US??
Last time I looked the £ was stronger than the $????
It was my first time at saltex and i must say i thought that it was not all that it was hyped up to be.
Hope its better next year - if there is a next year.
Gogga International Affairs Officer
8 Sep 2006 by Nifty Last edited 9 Sep 2006
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Its got to be purrrfect
8 Sep 2006 by timpin
Saltex 2006 was the best show that I have ever attended from a suppliers point of view. The quality of enquiries received was first class and the people that I spoke with were truly appreciative that this show has carried on. Once again, the organisers put on a first class and professional event and whilst numbers may have been slightly down, I believe that the buying power at this show was just as great as in previous years. The real losers this year were those who decided to boycott the event. Our Industry needs this show on an annual basis and long may it continue.
Tim Pinney
RECO Kioti Tractors
I believe that this was one of the best shows that we have been to the fact that Ransomes Toro were missing doesn't affect us but I found that a lot of the reps were much more willing to tell more of there products than usual and didn't talk down to us because we aren't groundsman but landscapers.
It was a delight to talk to the chipper guys and a great interest to see a few new machines and the show in my mind was 1st class.
The guy [north entrance] doing the car parking aaaaaaaaagh left a lot ot be desired glad we took the car and not the van as the moron only left like 6' between the two rows not much hope of getting out quick.
My impression of show was, less well attended, but more quality. We did not seem to waste time with trye kickers. There was far more genuine interest. Wednesday was very busy between aprox. 11am to 3 pm.
9 Sep 2006 by Anonymous
Over hyped, over expensive. The usual cartel run by the caterers so coffee and sandwiches cost the same as a small house!!!! I suppose we will be treated by the IOG to the usual press releases quoting "record attendance" Shan't bother exhibiting or visiting Saltex next year. Stick to Harrogate
9 Sep 2006 by Leeboy
Seems from the above mostly an exhibitors show more than a visitors show
I felt it was a poor show on the whole, but I also felt this way last year. How long do you have to stand looking at a piece of machinery before the stand personnel stop talking to each other and reluctantly ask if there is 'any thing you need'?
And then when you ask a question... oh, they don't know the answer and would you mind waiting while the sales person finishes gushing over someone who has been lucky enough to be given a free beer/pen/carrier bag...
I learnt after my first visit to take packed lunch rather than take out a mortgage to eat in the 'restaurant'.
The layout is dreadful with the enforced walkways to cross the racecourse and toilets only at each end of the site.
Agree with the comments so far re: parking - don't arrive early.
How many colours can you paint an excavator/tractor/mower/shredder? too much same old same old.
JCB? come and see the worlds fastest diesel car? No. come and see a not very accurate plastic replica of a speedy tractor.
Attendance was definitely down, but the figures will disprove this observation.
The absence of the 'big' names is nothing less than an insult to all the users of their equipment. People can afford to take a day off to attend such a show. Try asking the boss for a another day-off to go to the Ransomes roundup field day, another day off to attend the Toro tour. another day to visit the John Deere jamboree. etc...
Even the carrier bag given out at the entrance was sponsored by a non-attender (Central Spares) with the message "See you next year" WTF?
It's fairly local to me and free entry so i'll consider going next year... to the Doe Show!
I'm bored writing about Saltex now. G'nite.
GOGGA
This was my 5th visit to the show in the 8 years of being a groundsman, and like Lee, we got shephearded out to the farthest reaches of the course for parking, although we couldn't make the first two days of the show and the Thursday is a shorter day, I felt (as did some of our suppliers that we visited) that it was probably one of the poorer attempts and that there was too much kiddies stuff on display. There was even a bloke selling super-glue!!!
I also agree that it is in one of the worst places to get to if you live anywhere other than London, and they should look at moving it somewhere more central and changing the date to sometime in the year when the majority can attend because they haven't got to get ready for the start of a new season/term or start the renovations of their cricket square.
Was odd without the " Big Boys" there, but it actually gave me a chance to look at other manufacturers.
They have to sort out the stand locations, trawling past stands selling Skidsters / commercial vehicles / and diggers didnt really do anything for me. - it would be much better to bunch everything together in relation to category, at least that way if you are comparing machines you can do so without having to walk miles.
The Catering is a rip off, but then so is Harrogate, at least at SALTEX the companies showing bits and pieces can supply some refreshments to customers, at Harrogate they are not allowed to do this ( as i understand), forcing customers to eat overpriced food / drink, or leave the exhibition centre completley.
Agree with you 100% about the catering Neil. If you exhibit there and you want to make tea on your stand you have to apply for a larger power supply to incorpoprate a boiler. They charge a whopping figure for this (Can't remember exactly but it is over £100) Off the top of my head I think you can do this at Harrogate as well (or at least you used to be able to) but again they charge an extortianate amount of money for the power supply. It always amazes me how all the catering stands at Saltex charge the same amount of money for a tea/coffe/sandwich etc. I though cartels were illegal!!! I realise the IOG must be behind this and the caterers are just trying to claw back the huge fees they are probably charged by the IOG to be there. I bet the conversation goes something like "we'd love you to be a caterer at our show, don't worry everyone has to charge the same amount for drinks etc so there won't be a price war, but to be there will cost you £xxxxx!!!!!" Anyone from the IOG care to comment?
come on guys chill out it's only a show. look on the bright side, a day out in the Sunshine ( nomaly) meeting old friends and aquantance's, looking at all the things grounds men like, Shinny mowers and Girls. We never spent a penny and my guys went home half cut !!! ( only because no body had tea because it was to expensive to make !!)
Can anyone tell me where and when the Bigga Exhibition is held and is it worthwhile travelling over for. I'm assuming its an acronym for a golfing body, is it worth the trip for a cricket groundsman?
Collie.
Bigga - 21->25 Jan 2007 in Harrogate.
A lot of the equuipment used for Golf is equally used on cricket so I'd imagine that it's worth going.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
Hi Collie,
Visit www.bigga.co.uk and click on 'exhibitions' for more info. Yes, I think it would be a very worthwhile day for you.
Regards,
11 Sep 2006 by Anthony Asquith Last edited 11 Sep 2006
Collie
I go every year for a couple of days as it`s just outside of leeds in a place called harrogate
i have no excuse for not going as it`s right on my doorstep (about 20 mins)
I do get upset though at all the machinery i see but can`t afford but it`s well worth going !
11 Sep 2006 by Anthony Asquith
Plus...
It`s great being able to meet PC members and staff as most of last years show i spent most of the time hanging around the PC stand annoying people and talking gibberish (as always!)
Hopefully I'll see you all at Harrogate - I'll have to combine it with a visit to the in laws :(
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
I enjoyed Harrogate when i went a couple of years ago, it is geared very much towards the Golf Market, but as said above, most of the machinery can be used on any Sports turf.
The big difference is, there is no play equipment, very little in the way of Arboriculture tools / equipment, just lots of " grass maintenance " machines, the down side of it is there is no demo area ( the demo areas at SALTEX are naff anyway).
It is a hell of a lot busier than SALTEX but being inside doesnt help so can get quite claustrophobic.
Definitley worth a visit.
11 Sep 2006 by Nifty Last edited 11 Sep 2006
Just a thought for the Southern guys out there , coming up is the Does Turf Care show on the 20th and 21st of this month in Ulting , Essex and I believe Ransomes WILL be present amongst others , also the Bi-annual APF show if you are into the Arbor side of things on the 21st -23rd Sept at Ragley Hall nr Evesham...won,t have the same quantity/variety of machinery or pretty girls to chat to though 
Its got to be purrrfect
11 Sep 2006 by Groundsmaiden Last edited 11 Sep 2006
Yep, I'm going to go to the Ernest Doe show this year for the first time. I've only heard good things about it from those in the trade 
12 Sep 2006 by flegg
For those in the South West , the P.J.Flegg/MST machinery show is at Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Exeter, on Wednesday 25th October, Ransomes Jacobsen, Kubota, Sisis and Wiedenmann are all showing. Entrance and Car parking are all free, and you could win a Quad Bike if you register on the door. there was over 60 exhibitors last year, and its all under cover so its well worth a visit.
flegg
What is the contact detail for any potential exhibitor please?
The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train
flegg, if you email me the details (ellie@pitchcare.com), I'll put it in the Pitchcare events calendar for you.
Sounds like I didnt miss much by not getting to Saltex this year (my son started school that week and hes half days at moment) but I am hoping to get to the Ernest Doe show next week. Ive never heard of this show before; it doesnt seem to get the same level of press that Saltex does. Is it worth going to?
Im back baby!
but I am hoping to get to the Ernest Doe show next week. Ive never heard of this show before; it doesnt seem to get the same level of press that Saltex does. Is it worth going to?
That's because the Ernest Doe show will only be promoting machinery and goods available for purchase through.................... yes you guessed it - Ernest Doe 
Of course the grass looks good. The sun is shining.
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