CONFERENCES & TRADE SHOWS
Pics this page and opposite page: Individuals from federations,
clubs (professional and amateur), communities, government
organisations, architects and others, will all merge with the
manufacturers and suppliers of artificial turf and natural grass,
and the various other related product and equipment providers at
The Turf and Grass Expo 2010 being held at the RAI in
Amsterdam this December.
PANSTADIA: Nigel, you are well known in the artificial
turf industry/sports industry, having led the artificial
turf debate in many ways for FIFA in the last five years,
and having just left FIFA, what are you doing now?
NIGEL FLETCHER: Firstly, I’ve set up Sports Development venues in Chile and Argentina, these were very suc-
Marketing of which I’m Managing Director, an agency cessful and well attended. So speaking to friends, col-
that will work with various brands on development, leagues and the industry, all of them were saying
CSR and Community programmes, as part of an overall something like this should be done on a global per-
sports sponsorship, as well as other projects related to spective. After trying to convince others to run the
the sports industry. Sports Development Marketing will event, I decided well, if I think it’s such a good oppor-
also be organising and running the Turf and Grass Expo tunity for all, then let’s have a go myself. And in turn,
2010. So an exciting and no doubt busy year is ahead. make it one of the most recognised and best Sports
Expo’s in the global marketplace.
PANSTADIA: What is the idea behind and reasoning for
the Expo? PANSTADIA: Do you see the artificial turf market growing?
NIGEL FLETCHER: Simply to assist organisations in under- NIGEL FLETCHER: At community level, definitely yes. This
standing the benefits of artificial turf, to give the dele- is because the playing surface is good all year round if
gates objective, independent advice on a range of key equipped with the right maintenance procedures and
issues (from planning, procurement, contract, finan- usage levels. Furthermore, the “look and feel” of artifi-
cials, standards, medical, technical and best practice cial turf is good all year round, so the surface becomes
etc.). Having worked with FIFA in this area for five years more engaging and fun for the players. As a conse-
there was, in my opinion, a lack of correct information quence, more playing participation at all levels of the
in the marketplace, which resulted in a situation where game. My only concern is that the buyers are not always
end consumers were not getting what they thought. informed of which product, company, standard they
Therefore, the idea of the Turf and Grass Expo 2010 is should choose, and what is best value. With a range of
to get the facts across to the buyers for them to have leading speakers at the Turf and Grass Expo 2010, from
the knowledge to make informed decisions. At my Sports Federations, this will make the decisions easier
time at FIFA, I made presentations at a variety of other and save a lot of time and more importantly money in
global and national conferences, and while these were the decision making process. At professional level in all
good opportunities, I did think that something more sports, there is a distinct lack of information on the real
specific, with all aspects of this specific sector being facts. With high profile players and expensive stadia, the
covered, was needed in the industry. When FIFA ran decision has to be the right one. From the football side
Member Association courses for instance in four of things, key questions will be answered on the playing ➲
WINTER 2009/10 P ANS TADIA 149
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