BTME cancellation: Industry praise for decision to put safety first

BTME is an important event for members of BIGGA, but it’s also a tremendous opportunity for companies that supply the golf industry to meet prospective customers on a one-to-one basis. 

Each year exhibitors time the launch of their innovative new products to coincide with BTME and many look forward to the exhibition as an opportunity to catch up with old colleagues in the old industry and to rekindle friendships.

Significant time and effort goes into exhibiting at BTME each year and we’re thankful for the messages of support that we have received from companies in relation to the decision to cancel BTME 2020. 

Here is a small selection:

 

David Cole, Reesink Turfcare

“We are supportive of BIGGA taking decisive steps to deal with the growing anxiety surrounding current circumstances in the UK and the big question of whether BTME can go ahead in January. We understand how difficult these decisions are for everyone involved, but safety has to be paramount, as well as a consideration to what you ultimately want the visitor and exhibitor experience to be like when compared to the recent past. 

“It is a difficult decision for a variety of reasons, but for us it is the correct one to remove uncertainty and instead allow us to look forward to supporting the right event, when it can happen safely.”

 

Ed Carter, ICL Turf & Landscape

“We are obviously very disappointed that BTME 2021 has been cancelled, however bearing in mind the uncertain times the country faces ICL are fully supportive of the decision BIGGA has taken. 

“We’re looking forward to supporting the virtual Continue to Learn that will take place in January and also exhibiting at BTME again soon.”

 

Adam Butler, Baroness

“We fully support the decision to cancel BTME in 2021. I enjoy attending the exhibition every year and Baroness has been a loyal supporter for a number of years, including sponsoring a category at the BIGGA Awards, but I think everyone agrees that it would not be appropriate to host an event this winter with the ongoing uncertainty around COVID-19. 

“Well done to BIGGA for taking the decisive step to cancel the event as we invest a lot of time and effort into attending BTME and I’m sure there will be a number of companies who, now the decision has been made, will focus upon supporting their teams through this difficult time. 

“We’ll be at the festival of turf next summer and we look forward to seeing everyone there!”

Dan Lightfoot, Syngenta

"BTME is such an important cornerstone in the greenkeeping industry’s calendar – for its education, information gathering and social engagement – that it will be sorely missed. However, regrettable as the decision is, it is eminently sensible at this stage.

"The essential role now is to continue to support BIGGA, and especially the Continue to Learn initiative, to help deliver the ongoing great work. Our experience over the lockdown period has been the immense power of social media and digital communications to share information and research results that enabled greenkeepers to make in-season decisions in real time.

"The challenge now is to utilise that experience to further help greenkeepers, and to fill the gap until BTME can return. In the interim, an outdoor summer ‘Festival of Turf’ gives us all something to look forward to."

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