Birmingham, England: SALTEX 2024 reached new levels of international engagement, attracting a diverse audience from around the world including attendees from China, Cyprus, India, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.

This year’s show offered high-quality interactions among industry leaders, creating connections that could deliver substantial partnerships and collaborations across borders.

With more than 7,300 visitors, SALTEX reaffirmed its position as a ‘must-attend’ exhibition for the grounds management industry.

The ever-popular Learning LIVE programme, which was attended by over 1,000 visitors, addressed current and future trends in the industry, covering topics from sustainability practices to technological advancements – giving visitors the insights to drive progress within the industry.

With the latest innovations in grounds management technology on display in the shape of 30-plus new product launches, exhibitors were able to showcase their state-of-the-art equipment and solutions designed to advance the sector.

SALTEX has a broad appeal across many of the grounds and sports turf sectors including golf.

The show saw visitors attend from a wide range of golf clubs including 2025 Open Championship venue Royal Portrush, and prominent United Kingdom courses such as Woodhall Spa Golf Club, and JCB Golf and Country Club.

The presence of over 130 educational institutions (including universities, colleges and independent schools) and almost 100 local authorities further emphasised SALTEX’s importance as a key networking platform for the grounds management sector.

SALTEX saw a rise in younger visitors, with over 20% under the age of 30.

The expanded Community Sports Zone created even more opportunities for engagement. The larger space welcomed a strong turnout of volunteers and County FA representatives, all eager to enhance their facilities.

Revenue generated from SALTEX is reinvested directly into the grounds management industry, helping to fuel growth and advance industry standards.

As a not-for-profit organisation, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) channels this revenue to subsidise memberships and training, while also offering resources like independent advice and information.

Beyond training and membership, SALTEX revenue funds several impactful GMA programmes. The annual Industry Awards celebrate excellence in grounds care, bringing recognition to professionals and volunteers across the sector.

The annual #Groundsweek campaign, reaching over 18 million online in 2024, promotes the contributions of grounds staff and encourages new talent to join the field.

Additionally, SALTEX funds support diversity initiatives like the ‘Women in Grounds’ event at Emirates Stadium, spotlighting the role of women in grounds management and reaching an audience of 188 million.

Geoff Webb, CEO at the GMA, said: “The success of SALTEX 2024 reaffirms its role as an essential meeting ground for the global grounds management community.

“This year, SALTEX continued to attract a broad audience from across the globe, which shows the international relevance of the exhibition as the industry’s hub for knowledge sharing and innovation.

“It was also clear to see the significant investment from exhibitors in their stands and set-ups, with a large number of exhibitors choosing SALTEX as the destination to launch their brand-new products.

“Our Learning LIVE programme continues to be one of the standout features offering visitors the latest insights on topics such as sustainability and technological progress, and more ensuring they have the tools to address today’s challenges and anticipate tomorrow’s needs.

“We’re committed to ensuring that SALTEX remains not only the go-to event in the UK but also a significant event on the international stage, with a layout and programme tailored to serve the evolving needs of the grounds management industry.”

SALTEX 2025 will return to its traditional November slot next year, taking place on November 12-13.