The Grounds Management Association (GMA) in the UK announced the speaker lineup for its upcoming GMA Connect events at Ashton Gate Stadium and Durham County Cricket Club.
GMA Connect is designed to bring the grounds industry together at a regional level, offering a valuable opportunity for grounds professionals to connect and exchange ideas. These practical one-day events will feature expert seminars, live demonstrations and insights from leading manufacturers.
Renowned weather expert and industry leader Mark Hunt will present “Turf Management in the Current Climate,” which will explore the impact of changing weather patterns on turfgrass management, with advice on reading forecasts and managing issues like dew formation and disease risks.
Turf consultant Alex Vickers will deliver “Reading Your Soil,” a hands-on workshop exploring soil profiles, sampling methods, and spotting signs of compaction. Expect to get your hands dirty in this interactive session.
GMA’s Ian Mather-Brewster will walk attendees through his sessions “Carrying Out a Surface Assessment” and “Using a Playing Surface Assessment to Upgrade Your Facility,” providing practical advice on conducting assessments and presenting findings to encourage investment.
“What’s in Your Shed?” is a special practical workshop taking place across both events. Jack Langley (Ashton Gate Stadium) will lead the session in Bristol, while Vic Demain (Durham County Cricket Club) will take the lead in Durham. This workshop gives a behind-the-scenes look at the machinery, fertilizers and irrigation methods used to maintain top-quality surfaces.
Both events will also include a panel session looking at “Dealing with Climate Change Challenges at Professional Venues.” At Bristol, panelists include Jack Langley, Sean Williams (Gloucestershire CCC) and Alex Vickers. The Durham panel features Vic Dermain, Alex Vickers and Aaron Tong (Hull City MKM Stadium).
Tickets for GMA Connect are free for GMA members, while non-members can attend for £15. For more information about the GMA Connect series, or to register, visit https://www.thegma.org.uk/events/.