Harrogate, England: The BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition [BTME] 2016 has been hailed as an unprecedented success.
The comprehensive Continue to Learn education programme broke attendance records, smashing through the 3,000 barrier.
Over the five-day programme at the British and International Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) annual turf care festival, 3,034 seats were occupied as greenkeepers, groundsmen, golf club officials and golf club owners took in topics from basic agronomics to the vagaries of Generation Y.
The three-day exhibition, with over 150 companies occupying five Halls of the Harrogate International Centre, drew 4,046 unique visitors who made a total of 5,890 visits between them, an average of 1.46 days attendance by each visitor.
The highlight of the week was the BIGGA Welcome Celebration, hosted by Naga Munchetty in Harrogate’s historic Royal Hall.
Outstanding achievement in greenkeeping was celebrated and BIGGA crowned three award winners:
*The St Andrews Links Trust team won the Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year,sponsored by GBR Techonlogy
*20-year-old Jack Groves of Broadway Golf Club won the Jacobsen-sponsored Young Greenkeeper of the Year
*The Minchinhampton Golf Club team were awarded Greenkeeping Achievement of the Year, an award sponsored by Pitchcare
The Golf Business and Industry Convention (GolfBIC) was a welcome addition to BTME, popular with exhibitors and delegates alike.
Jim Croxton, BIGGA’S Chief Executive Officer, said: “Another hugely successful event, every day busy and further confirmation of how important BTME is in both the turf care and golf industry calendars.
“Over 4,000 individuals have taken the opportunity to network, learn and get upto-date with products and services. The positive impact on golf courses and sports facilities will be clear to see.”