WELCOME TO Turn of Events
THE turn of ‘events’ this year has been interesting to say the least. Many of the larger companies have stuck to their guns and not attended the SALTEX show and it would appear that BTME will be foregoing their company too. A recent BIGGA announcement confirms the down sizing of the Harrogate show to four of the exhibition centre halls.
At Pitchcare we keep good contact with most of the
industry’s
manufacturers and suppliers and there is quite a difference of opinion on how we, as an industry, should move forward. Some see SALTEX or BTME as their main source of new business, especially those smaller companies without the fiscal clout of the ‘big boys’. Despite the high financial outlay, it does provide an opportunity to meet existing and
potential customers in large numbers at a single venue.
However, other companies see the shows as an over burdened expense, preferring to take new and commercially viable
routes to bring in new business. For those that have taken the decision not to attend the shows, the corporate approach of entertaining prospective clients on foreign trips, road shows and custom prepared working demonstration events seem to have been proved right this year.
Many groundsmen and greenkeepers, wrongly in my opinion, see the manufacturers and distributors as a necessary evil. But, the reality is that they are the life-blood of our industry, providing funding towards education, seminars, demonstrations and shows. Yet, over the last few years, they have found themselves down the pecking order when it comes to decision making by the organisations.
the PC team DAVE SALTMAN
Managing Director. Currently dithering over the choice of his new vehicle. Apparently it must be a 4x4, have enough power to tow a trailer, be comfortable on long journeys, and have a footwell big enough to take empty cigarette packets, sandwich cartons, bait box, maggots, bluebottles ...
JOHN RICHARDS that already!
Operations Director. Soon to be departing these shores, albeit temporarily, to visit his granddaughter in Australia, where the family will be celebrating her first birthday. With the start of the Ashes series coinciding with John’s visit he could well return a grey old man -o
oh sorry, he’s
LAURENCE (WRITING) GALE
Editor. Wore his yellow Pitchcare shirt with pride at Saltex and spent all three days ricocheting around the site like a bagatelle ball bearing, with his chest puffed out with pride and camera at the ready. Rumoured to have got some work done as well - especially on the Protea stand!
PETER BRITTON
have shrunk in the wash! Plodded round Saltex like a pig in wildebeest in mud, with stomach puffed out! Still recovering from sharing a hotel room with Laurence - he even talks in his sleep!
Sales and Production. Found that his yellow Pitchcare shirt was a little tighter than in previous years -m
must ELLIE TAIT
stay at? Which bars to visit? Where’s the best nightclub? What restaurants to eat in? It’s a thankless task but someone has to do it. Thanks Ellie.
PR and Marketing Executive. No sooner has one show finished than another one is round the corner. Ellie is up to her eyeballs planning Harrogate Week -W
What hotel to
Both the IOG and BIGGA moot cooperation, yet both organisations are looking to
open up their memberships to encompass Greenkeepers or Groundsmen respectively.
Both organisations are heavily reliant on their flagship shows to survive in their current format. and both are adamant that their show will remain. They are committed to their venues for a few years to come so, if exhibitors stay away and attendance drops, will they be able to sustain the undoubted losses that will be incurred?
So what does the future hold? The general consensus of opinion is that there should be one annual, or even biennial, show situated more centrally in the country. Perhaps the two organisations should be considering the long term future for the industry and working together much more closely.
DAVE SALTMAN Managing Director
ALASTAIR BATTRICK
Web Monkey. With the new website up and running, and receiving a big ‘thumbs up’ from PC members, Al can now turn his attention to other matters. He hasn’t decided quite what yet as he is still enjoying all his free time, making tea for everyone in the office, and ensuring that the biscuit barrel is full.
DAN HUGHES
wheeler dealing to get members the best deals possible in the Pitchcare shop. We allowed him out of the office recently to visit Saltex where he was impressed with how big the outside world actually is. He’s back chained to his desk now. We think it’s best!
Pitchcare’s equivalent of Del Boy -a
always
SHARON TAYLOR
Company Accountant. Calmly goes about her business, ensuring that invoices are raised and everyone is paid on time. Likes to start work earlier than the rest of the team so that she can get away to spend time with her horse in the remaining daylight hours. It has nothing to do with working in an office full of men!
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