BTME 2019: Educate. Exhibit. Evolve.17/01/2018 ![]()
On the eve of BTME
2018, BIGGA has announced major changes that reveal how the leading turf
management exhibition in Europe will look in coming years. The 30th
annual BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition, taking place from 23-25 January at the
Harrogate Convention Centre, will be the final one in its current incarnation,
as the organisers, BIGGA, have announced a restructure that will see the size
of the exhibition floor space grow by up to 25% for 2019. Harrogate
Convention Centre will continue to host BTME. The venue has seen significant
investment made in recent years, and BIGGA has opted to take advantage, in a
move that will further improve the experience for visitors and exhibitors
alike. The focus of BTME
will shift away from the Ripon Road end of the convention centre, to the main
auditorium entrance, further down King’s Road. This opens up different
exhibition spaces, creating an improved, structured journey for the visitor and
brings a whole host of possibilities for innovation and creativity. Following BTME 2017,
the association experienced an unprecedented surge in re-bookings, with
additional exhibitors also eager to take part. By September 2017 all four
exhibition halls were completely filled and a waiting list was established in
an attempt to cope with the additional demand. With Continue to
Learn education numbers also reaching record levels, it quickly became clear
that BTME had outgrown its current configuration, and so avenues were opened to
explore possibilities to allow expansion. As such, in 2019 BTME
will no longer utilise Halls A and M. Halls B and C will be retained, but the
King’s Suite, Halls D and Q and Studio One will become the main exhibition
spaces, with the primary entrance to the exhibition coming through the
Harrogate Convention Centre’s main entrance. The Continue to
Learn education programme will remain in the Queen’s Suite, but the new layout
will mean the education programme will now be situated at the centre of the
entire visitor experience, rather than at the very rear of the facilities used.
Meanwhile, the impressive modern auditorium will be utilised for the key
educational and celebratory events during the week. BIGGA Chief
Executive Jim Croxton said: “The Harrogate Convention Centre remains the ideal
location to host BTME, as not only are the facilities ideally suited to hosting
such a huge event, but the North Yorkshire market town itself is integral to
the success of the exhibition. “We’re delighted
that BTME has grown to the extent that it can no longer be contained within the
four traditional exhibition halls that we have utilised. The move to
alternative facilities within the centre enables us to retain all that is good
about BTME, the premier turf management event in Europe, while presenting an
improved visitor experience and allowing all our exhibitor base to take the
space they need to show their wares. It is critical that all events evolve to
suit the needs of their stakeholders and I’m thrilled we have the opportunity
to do so with BTME 2019.” BIGGA Chairman Les
Howkins MG is course manager at The Richmond Golf Club in London. He said: “I’ve
been coming to BTME ever since I was first appointed Head Greenkeeper at
Cleethorpes Golf Club. The education offering was a major help as I progressed
through my career and now, as a course manager at one of London’s premier
clubs, I find the interaction with exhibitors throughout the show to be
priceless. “BTME has always
been a fantastic experience for a greenkeeper or turf management professional
at any point in their career, due to the entertainment, innovation and
networking that takes place. However, following 2017 and the huge excitement
that we’ve experienced building towards BTME 2018, it has become clear the
exhibition has outgrown its current shell, and we’re delighted to announce the
next evolution of BTME for 2019. “As a consumer of
the show myself, I’m excited about the possibilities these changes present,
with the result being a brighter, more exciting and more engaging exhibition
for everyone.” Brian Dobson, head
of sales and events at Harrogate Convention Centre, said: “Seeing an annual
exhibition evolve and grow is something every event venue loves to see. BIGGA
has established itself as a major fixture on Harrogate Convention Centre’s
calendar and has grown into an international event. “It’s great for us
as a venue and for Harrogate, as a town, to see the show expanding for 2019 and
welcoming more exhibitors. “I’m proud to say
we are a part of BTME’s success.” Additionally, BIGGA
has engaged the services of JR Exhibitions, led by Jill Rodham, who has
substantial experience of BTME, to manage the exhibition sales process. During BTME 2018 on
Monday 22, Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 January there will be tours
of the new layout available for current and potential exhibitors. A video of BIGGA
Chief Executive Jim Croxton providing an introduction to the changes to BTME
2019 is available at https://youtu.be/On1eRzyO3CU The British and
International Golf Greenkeepers Association was created in January 1987 due to
an amalgamation of the British Golf Greenkeepers Association, The English and
International Golf Greenkeepers Association and The Scottish and International
Golf Greenkeepers Association. Today BIGGA has
around 5,700 greenkeepers and turf professionals as members.BIGGA is dedicated
to the continuing professional development of its members, and in serving their
needs will strive through education and training for standards of excellence in
golf course management throughout the greenkeeping profession. For more on BIGGA,
you can visit our website and follow
us on Twitter.
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