CategoryAgriculture & Forestry
SALTEX - Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition
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About this event
Data sheet
SALTEX - Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: 11–12 November 2026
Location: NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: 2 July 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | SALTEX - Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition |
| Event Date | 11–12 November 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | NEC |
| City | Birmingham |
| State / Region | West Midlands |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Organizer | The GMA |
| Official Event Website | saltex.org.uk |
| Event Type | Trade exhibition and education-led industry event |
| Primary Category | Building & Construction |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Industrial Engineering; Environment & Waste; Hospitality; Education & Training |
| Audience Reach | UK-wide with meaningful international supplier participation |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | 7,400+ grounds people (official website), plus 400+ brands |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Confirmed by organizer on official event website |
| Main Purpose of Event | Trade sourcing, professional education, product discovery, networking, and buying for sports turf, grounds maintenance, landscaping, and outdoor facilities operations |
About the Event
SALTEX is the UK’s established sports turf, grounds care, landscaping, and outdoor facilities trade exhibition. The 2026 edition is scheduled for the NEC in Birmingham and is positioned as a major sourcing and education event for professionals responsible for maintaining high-quality outdoor environments across sport, public sector, education, leisure, and heritage settings.
The event matters because it combines a large exhibition floor with CPD education and a clearly defined audience of grounds professionals and operational buyers. That makes SALTEX highly relevant for suppliers of equipment, turf care products, drainage, irrigation, maintenance services, landscaping solutions, digital tools, and facility management offerings that support procurement, asset performance, and day-to-day operations.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grounds and estates teams | Schools, universities, councils, sports clubs, parks, estates, heritage sites | Primary users and operational buyers | High; purchase equipment, materials, and service contracts |
| Procurement and sourcing teams | Public sector bodies, education institutions, leisure operators, facilities groups | Vendor selection and tender management | Very high for contract-ready suppliers and framework vendors |
| Local authority buyers | Councils, parks departments, leisure services, highways maintenance teams | Budget owners, specifiers, and contract stakeholders | Strong for compliant suppliers, service contractors, and equipment providers |
| Professional sport operations | Football clubs, rugby clubs, cricket venues, racecourses, stadium operators | Facilities, pitch, and venue operations decision-makers | High for turf systems, machinery, maintenance, and performance products |
| Education grounds teams | Schools, colleges, universities, academies, trusts | Facilities and campus upkeep buyers | Relevant for maintenance, safety, and turf care suppliers |
| Landscaping contractors | Commercial landscapers, grounds contractors, green service firms | Commercial purchasers and specifiers | Strong for machinery, consumables, software, and service partnerships |
| Leisure and hospitality operators | Holiday parks, caravan parks, attractions, resorts, theme parks | Operations and maintenance decision-makers | Relevant for landscaping, grounds presentation, and maintenance solutions |
| Infrastructure and public realm teams | Transport hubs, infrastructure operators, public space managers | Asset and environment management stakeholders | Good fit for compliance, maintenance, and environmental service vendors |
| Distributors and resellers | Grounds equipment distributors, turf supply wholesalers, dealer networks | Channel buyers and stock planners | High for manufacturers seeking UK distribution partners |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham host city | Local facilities teams, contractors, councils, and suppliers | Medium | NEC access supports local and regional visitor concentration |
| West Midlands region | Councils, education trusts, sports venues, landscaping firms | High | Strong regional catchment for operational buyers |
| Greater London and South East | National sports venues, councils, universities, contractors, distributors | High | Likely major buying hub for service and supply procurement |
| North West, East Midlands, South West, Yorkshire | Regional sports, education, parks, and landscaping stakeholders | Medium to High | Core UK buyer corridors for grounds maintenance |
| Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland | Public sector and sports facility operators | Medium | Useful for national suppliers seeking UK coverage |
| International | Global brands, equipment manufacturers, and specialist solution providers | Low to Medium | Primarily supplier-side international participation |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary classification | The event is UK-centric, with broad participation from grounds, sports, education, local authority, and landscaping stakeholders across the country. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Football Association | Sports governing body | Influences football venue standards, facilities, and pitch-related procurement | thefa.com | Facilities Director; Head of Grounds; Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| The R&A | Sports / golf governing organization | Relevant for turf, course maintenance, and grounds innovation buyers | randa.org | Head of Agronomy; Operations Director; Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| JLL | Facilities / real estate services | Manages campuses and facilities where outdoor maintenance is procured | jll.co.uk | Facilities Director; Account Director; Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Mitie | Facilities management | Potential buyer of grounds maintenance, equipment, and outsourced services | mitie.com | Category Manager; Operations Director; Sourcing Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Birmingham City Council | Local government | Relevant buyer for parks, public realm, and leisure infrastructure contracts | birmingham.gov.uk | Procurement Officer; Parks Manager; Head of Facilities | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| The London Stadium | Venue operator | Venue operations and turf/facility maintenance buying relevance | londonstadium.com | Operations Director; Facilities Manager; Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| University of Birmingham | Higher education | Large campus buyer with grounds, estates, and sports facility needs | birmingham.ac.uk | Estates Director; Facilities Manager; Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Millwall Football Club | Professional sports club | Likely buyer for pitch care, stadium maintenance, and grounds equipment | millwallfc.co.uk | Head of Grounds; Stadium Operations Manager; Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Bristol City Council | Local government | Public parks, recreation, and streetscape maintenance procurement relevance | bristol.gov.uk | Parks Manager; Sourcing Manager; Asset Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Center Parcs | Leisure / hospitality operator | Extensive grounds presentation, landscaping, and outdoor maintenance needs | centerparcs.co.uk | Operations Director; Grounds Manager; Procurement Lead | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| The National Trust | Estate and heritage management | Large estate footprint with conservation, grounds, and facilities requirements | nationaltrust.org.uk | Estate Manager; Head of Grounds; Procurement Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| University College London | Higher education | Large urban estate with grounds, facilities, and sports infrastructure needs | ucl.ac.uk | Estates Director; Facilities Manager; Procurement Officer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Head of Grounds | Operations / Facilities | Head / Director | Owns turf, grounds, and maintenance purchasing decisions |
| 2 | Facilities Director | Facilities / Estates | Director | Influences service contracts, maintenance strategy, and capital purchases |
| 3 | Procurement Manager | Procurement / Supply Chain | Manager | Controls vendor selection, tenders, and supplier onboarding |
| 4 | Category Manager | Procurement | Manager / Senior Manager | Manages spend categories such as equipment, consumables, and services |
| 5 | Operations Director | Operations | Director | Responsible for service delivery and operational performance |
| 6 | Estates Manager | Estates / Facilities | Manager | Maintains campus and site infrastructure, including outdoor assets |
| 7 | Parks Manager | Public Realm / Parks | Manager | Key specifier for public space and landscape maintenance |
| 8 | Stadium Operations Manager | Venue Operations | Manager | Influences pitch, facility, and event-day readiness procurement |
| 9 | Commercial Director | Commercial / Partnerships | Director | Important for supplier sponsorship, partnerships, and multi-site contracts |
| 10 | Head of Agronomy | Technical / Grounds | Head / Senior Manager | Technical decision-maker for turf health and performance inputs |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction | Landscape, grounds, and outdoor infrastructure projects | Contracting firms and estates buyers |
| 2 | Facilities Services | Core category for maintenance and site services | FM buyers and outsourced service operators |
| 3 | Government Administration | Local authority and public realm procurement relevance | Council procurement and parks teams |
| 4 | Education Management | Schools, colleges, and universities manage grounds budgets | Estates and campus operations buyers |
| 5 | Hospitality | Parks, resorts, and attraction operators are relevant attendees | Outdoor presentation and landscape service buyers |
| 6 | Sporting Goods | Sports venues and performance-related users are central | Venue and pitch operations buyers |
| 7 | Leisure, Travel & Tourism | Holiday parks and attractions use grounds and landscaping services | Site maintenance and presentation packages |
| 8 | Environmental Services | Sustainability, green maintenance, and waste-related needs | Environmental and grounds service suppliers |
| 9 | Wholesale | Distribution and dealer networks are important for equipment suppliers | Channel partner and reseller acquisition |
| 10 | Retail | Retail buyer relevance for outdoor maintenance and site presentation | Multi-site facilities and estate management |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | 7,400+ | Confirmed | Official event website meta description | Described as “7,400+ grounds people” |
| Exhibitor count | 400+ | Confirmed | Official event website meta description | Brand count used as event scale indicator |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | Organizer website | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Speaker / education volume | 30 hours of free CPD education | Confirmed | Official event website meta description | Indicates strong learning and buyer-intent environment |
| Historical attendance | Not required for current edition due to current confirmed scale | N/A | Official 2026 page | Current-year organizer data is sufficient for sizing |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grounds maintenance | Reliable tools, consumables, and service support | Demonstrations, trials, and maintenance ROI messaging | Mowers, hand tools, parts, service contracts |
| Sports turf performance | Pitch quality, resilience, and seasonal performance | Technical consultative selling and agronomy education | Turf systems, fertilizers, seed, irrigation |
| Facilities and estates | Outdoor asset upkeep and lifecycle planning | Procurement meetings and multi-site solution selling | FM services, landscaping services, asset management tools |
| Sustainability | Lower carbon operations, water efficiency, responsible maintenance | Lead with environmental savings and compliance | Eco-friendly inputs, electric equipment, water-saving systems |
| Education and CPD | Practical skills and best-practice learning | Sponsored sessions, expert content, and workshops | Training, certification, software, and advisory services |
| Distribution and dealer channels | New products and supply agreements | Channel partner meetings and reseller recruitment | Wholesale, dealer programs, and regional logistics support |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | Event audience is directly aligned with grounds, sports, landscaping, and estate buying. |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Likely access to directors, managers, and technical leads responsible for purchasing. |
| Data collection potential | High | Strong fit for attendee list building, lead capture, and account-based outreach. |
| Apollo targeting potential | High | Clear industry and role filters map well to procurement, facilities, and operations buyers. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | UK-heavy buyer base with easy segmentation by region and public sector footprint. |
| Best outreach approach | Consultative, technical, and procurement-led | Lead with operational savings, performance, compliance, and service reliability. |
| Overall lead quality | Very High | Strong buyer intent, defined vertical, and accessible job-title targeting. |
| Best use case | B2B lead generation, attendee list enrichment, and event-based account targeting | Well suited for supplier outreach and market-entry campaigns. |
| Limitations / risks | Moderate | Official current-year attendee list is not available in the provided source text, so prospecting should distinguish confirmed participants from fit-based targets. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Construction; Facilities Services; Government Administration; Education Management; Hospitality; Leisure, Travel & Tourism; Sporting Goods; Environmental Services; Wholesale; Retail | Focus on the most relevant buyer-side verticals |
| Departments | Procurement; Operations; Facilities; Estates; Finance; Commercial; Asset Management | Target the people who influence or approve purchase decisions |
| Seniority | Manager; Senior Manager; Director; VP; C-level where relevant | Prioritize decision-makers and budget holders |
| Job titles | Head of Grounds; Grounds Manager; Facilities Director; Procurement Manager; Category Manager; Operations Director; Estates Manager; Parks Manager; Head of Agronomy; Stadium Operations Manager | Match event attendee profiles and buyer intent |
| Geography | United Kingdom; England; West Midlands; Greater London; South East; North West; Scotland; Wales | Concentrate on the event’s primary buyer market |
| Employee size | 11–50; 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000; 5,000+ | Covers SMEs, public bodies, venue operators, and large multisite organizations |
| Keywords | grounds maintenance, turf, pitch, landscaping, estate management, facilities, parks, sports venue, agronomy, horticulture, public realm | Improve relevance in title and profile searches |
| Company type | End user; public sector; operator; estate owner; venue operator; contractor; distributor | Exclude low-fit pure vendors where needed |
| Revenue range | No strict cap; prioritize budget holders and multi-site operators | Useful because public bodies and operators vary widely in revenue |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: Use combinations such as (grounds OR turf OR landscaping OR facilities OR estates OR parks OR pitch) with seniority filters for manager, director, VP and department filters for procurement, operations, facilities, estates. For public sector targeting, layer in Government Administration and Education Management; for venue and sport buyers, prioritize Sporting Goods, Hospitality, and Leisure, Travel & Tourism.
Client Fit Review Required
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Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALTEX official website | Official organizer source | Event name, 2026 dates, venue, city, audience scale, 400+ brands, 7,400+ grounds people, and 30 hours of free CPD education | Very High |
| SALTEX Visit page | Official event page | Visitor context and attendee-facing positioning | High |
| SALTEX Exhibit page | Official event page | Exhibitor-side relevance and trade-show positioning | High |
| The GMA | Organizer / association website | Organizer identity and sector alignment | High |
| NEC Group | Venue website | Venue identification for Birmingham event location | High |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to SALTEX - Sports Amenities Landscaping Trade Exhibition — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds