Europe’s premier grounds management event, SALTEX 2024, the exhibition owned and operated by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), boasted more than 7,300 attendees and a digital reach of 2.8 million.
Networking opportunities, high-caliber visitors, and innovation took center stage. SALTEX 2024 offered attendees the chance to engage with more than 400 leading brands in the grounds management sector. With 19 hours of industry networking, the event served as a hub for collaboration, insight-sharing and relationship building.
Education remained a cornerstone of SALTEX 2024 with a Learning LIVE program designed to elevate industry standards. More than 19 hours of educational sessions were delivered by 65 expert speakers, attracting more than 1,000 attendees keen to enhance their skills and knowledge. These sessions covered a wide range of topics, providing actionable insights for professionals managing everything from sports pitches to estate grounds.
As a not-for-profit organization, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) has reinvested SALTEX revenue into grounds management since 1938. With the exhibition’s success, this contribution grows each year, demonstrating SALTEX’s role in powering progress within the industry.
The GMA uses these funds to subsidize membership fees, offering essential support to grounds professionals, volunteers and organizations. Revenue also helps subsidize GMA’s suite of training courses and qualifications, both in person and online.
Since 2009, SALTEX revenue has supported the GMA’s Industry Awards, recognizing excellence in grounds care across sectors. It also funds the annual #GroundsWeek awareness campaign which highlights the vital work of grounds staff and volunteers, celebrating their impact on sports and inspiring new recruits to the industry.
With 78% of attendees having purchasing power, SALTEX continues to attract an audience that drives industry change. This represents a 14% increase compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing influence of the event as a marketplace for innovative products and services.
SALTEX’s digital presence reached unprecedented levels this year. Social impressions hit 2.6M (a 105% increase), and social reach climbed to 2.8M (+66.2%). Platforms like TikTok (75K impressions) and Spotify (165K impressions) also helped extend the exhibition’s message to a broader, more diverse audience.
From football pitches and cricket grounds to business premises and golf courses, SALTEX 2024 attracted visitors managing all types of grounds. The UK regional breakdown map highlighted strong attendance from across the country, complemented by international visitors, further cementing SALTEX’s reputation as a global event.
Looking ahead, SALTEX will return to its traditional November slot next year, taking place November 12-13, 2025. The event will also relocate to Halls 17, 18, and 19 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK, introducing a refreshed layout designed to enhance the experience for both visitors and exhibitors.
