BIGGA members react to the cancellation of BTME

6 August 2020 Announcement
BIGGA stand.jpg

 

Members of BIGGA have reacted positively to the news that BTME 2021 has been cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis.

With current understanding indicating there would be an increased risk of disease transmission to attendees of the exhibition - held each January at the Harrogate Convention Centre - BIGGA made the decision to cancel the event

In place of BTME, plans are underway to host a 'festival of turf' at an outdoor venue during summer 2021, which will ensure turf industry professionals will be able to talk to equipment suppliers and other innovative and dynamic exhibitors.

BIGGA's popular education programme, Continue to Learn, will still take place in January 2021 in an entirely online format, allowing members to access high quality professional development at home or in the workplace.

We spoke to four BIGGA members who welcomed the decision to cancel BTME and are now looking forward to the new events:

Graham Down.jpg

 

Graham Down, course manager, Harewood Downs Golf Club

"Everything is new now, so inevitably things will change and adapt. I think the cancellation of BTME is the sensible thing to do as it will allow us to plan to do something a little different next year. If BTME was taking place in January, in the current environment, I probably wouldn’t attend because I wouldn’t feel comfortable so I think the rescheduling is a good idea.

The way BIGGA has responded over lockdown has been fantastic and there’s so much online learning available on the website now. We’ll be doing a really big push in January to get the team involved with Continue to Learn; with it being online the whole team will be able to take part and that’s fantastic."

Joe Curtis.jpg

 

Joe Curtis, course manager, Gloucester Golf Club

"With a newborn baby and a young family, I wouldn’t have been comfortable travelling to Harrogate for BTME in January and so it’s great that BIGGA has considered the needs of its members and made the decision not to host BTME this year. 

"It’s a shame, but I think many people wouldn’t have attended as there’s so much uncertainty and we don’t know what’s going to happen in the next few months. It’s much better not to put anyone at risk this year and then when BTME returns in 2022, hopefully it will be bigger and better than before as we’ll all have a lot of catching up to do!"

Matt Wharton quote.jpg

 

Matt Wharton MG, course superintendent, Carolina Golf Club

It’s a sad day to learn of the cancellation of BTME 2021 in Harrogate, but I know it is the right thing to do amid the status of the coronavirus pandemic. It is also an exciting day to learn about the new educational opportunity that will bring greenkeepers together from all corners of the globe. Why, in this new format it may just turn out to be the largest ‘attended’ Continue to Learn ever. Great job as always BIGGA!

Jonathan Barr quote.jpg

 

Jonathan Barr, head greenkeeper, Lutterworth Golf Club

I’m excited about attending a new BIGGA event next summer as it will be a very different experience. If BTME was going to take place during January, I wasn’t sure whether myself or my team would be attending as there’s a lot of uncertainty around at the moment. Summer is very busy for us, but we’ll be able to enjoy that Harrogate experience and then be back at work the next day. That means it will be cheaper to attend and we won’t need to take as much time off work, which suits everybody, including our golf club. 

Have your say on the cancellation of BTME 2021 on our Facebook page or by mentioning @BIGGALtd on Twitter

Author

Staff Photos 2020-14.JPG
Karl Hansell
BIGGA | Head of Marketing and Communications

Karl has been head of communications for BIGGA since March 2016. His duties include editing the monthly Greenkeeper International magazine, in addition to other communications activities for the association.

Notification

Please confirm!