Trade Shows Survey Agreed

At a summit meeting held during this year's annual IOG SALTEX show representatives from the AEA, BIGGA, the IOG and Pitchcare (representing certain members of the amenity turf trade) unanimously agreed the need to investigate further the opinions and views of the industry on trade shows.

To this end the group will begin by commissioning an independent survey of end users to gain a better understanding of customers needs, both in the short and the medium/longer term. A proposal for the future will then be developed through a process of survey and consultation with exhibitors drawn from both SALTEX and BTME (BIGGA's annual event) together with other potential exhibitors.

All parties agreed that it would be in the interest of the industry as a whole, especially in light of recent speculation, that the group works in unison to present an objective analysis that would take the industry forward.

It was also agreed by all parties that they appoint an independent chairman for the group who will therefore be David Gwyther CBE, Director General of the Horticultural Trades Association.