These one-to-one sessions will offer visitors exclusive face-to-face access to industry-leading advice about all sports surfaces including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, golf and bowls.
An extensive team of industry experts will be available every day of SALTEX (2-4 September, Windsor Racecourse) in the IOG Hub at the heart of the showground, including national manager Jason Booth and the nine regional pitch advisors from the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme, the new £1.3 million programme funded by national governing bodies of sports, Sport England and the IOG.
In addition, the Ask the Expert programme will include a host of industry-leading groundscare practitioners.
Tuesday 2 September am
Keith Kent, head groundsman, Twickenham Stadium [] Dougie Robertson, head groundsman, West Ham United FC [] David Roberts, grounds manager, Charterhouse School [] Bury St Edmunds RUFC’s Andy Spetch, 2010 Volunteer Groundsman of the Year [] Neil Stubley, head groundsman, All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club (Wimbledon) [] Chris Wood, ECB pitches consultant.
Tuesday 2 September pm
St James’ Boy School’s Stephen Fidler, IOG Toro School, College or University Sports Club Groundsman of the Year 2013 [] Lightcliffe Cricket Club’s Rod Heyhoe, 2012 Volunteer Sports Groundsman of the Year [] Nottingham University’s Susan Lawrence, 2012 Sherriff Amenity Most Promising Sportsturf Student of the Year.
Wednesday 3 September am
Darren Baldwin, grounds manager, Tottenham Hotspur FC [] Rob Bradshaw, head groundsman, One Leisure and winner of the 2013 IOG Kubota/Redexim Charterhouse Best Maintained Artificial Surface Award [] Neil Harvey, 2012 Professional Tennis Groundsman of the Year [] Kingston University’s Mike Hitt, 2012 School, College, University Sports Club Groundsman of the Year [] Iestyn John, Young IOG Board member [] Graham Kimpton, head groundsman, The Queen’s Club [] Lee Marshallsay, interim grounds manager, Harrow School [] Ashbrooke Sport Club’s Martin Stephenson, IOG Most Promising Sportsturf Student of the Year 2103.
Wednesday 3 September pm
Steve Ascott, head groundsman, St Albans School [] Peter Craig, grounds manager, The Hurlingham Club [] Ryan Golding, head groundsman, Leeds Rugby [] Adrian Kay, head groundsman, York Racecourse [] John Ledwidge, head groundsman, Leicester City FC [] Ian Smith, sports turf & amenity consultant, St Albans School.
Thursday 4 September am
Jason Booth, national manager, Grounds & Natural Turf Improvement Programme and regional pitch advisors Andy Clarke, Rob Donnelly, Kevin Duffill, Ian Mather-Brewster, Ian Norman, Ian Powell, Tom Rowley, Len Smith and Daniel White.
In addition, Young IOG Board directors Will Graves and Iestyn John will be on hand to advise younger visitors about career prospects and industry opportunities.
Visit www.iogsaltex.com for full details.
[] SALTEX (www.iogsaltex.com), the Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition organised by the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) and managed by Brintex Events, will be held on 2-4 September 2014 at Windsor Racecourse, Berks. Founded in 1938, the exhibition is attended by open space professionals and volunteers who design, construct, manage and maintain the UK's outdoor facilities - from sports grounds of every type to motorway service stations, and from stately homes to local council parks and schools. They visit SALTEX to meet suppliers of the machinery, tools, vehicles, turf, soils, seeds, aggregates, artificial or natural surfaces, playgrounds, landscaping equipment, street furniture, arboriculture, horticulture, safety, security, training and education services designed to help them do their jobs as effectively as possible.
