Continue to Learn proves huge hit ahead of 'busiest-ever' BTME

 

On the eve of BTME 2019, BIGGA is proud to reveal that a record number of delegates have pre-registered for the show, as hundreds undertook Continue to Learn's world-leading education programme.

 

By Sunday afternoon, 4,046 visitors had booked their spot at the Harrogate Convention Centre, far surpassing the previous record of approximately 3,200 pre-registrations.

 

BIGGA Chairman Les Howkins MG said: “It’s excellent news that we’ve got more than 4,000 visitors pre-registered for the show tomorrow, more than vindicating the decision of the BIGGA National Board to expand the show for 2019. BTME is going to be busier than ever and I’m delighted to be welcoming so many BIGGA members to the exhibition this week.”

 

The Continue to Learn education programme has been in full flow throughout Sunday and Monday, with events such as the Turf Manager’s Conference taking place in the HCC’s Main Auditorium.

 

Simon Parfey of SoilBiologyLab and laboratory technician De Jennifer Ings hosted a workshop providing an introduction to soil microbiology and basic microscopy. 

 

Simon has been hosting workshops at Continue to Learn for the last three years and said: “The programme is brilliant, really professional and action-packed. I think from the 2016, when we first came, I was blown away by the numbers of people that were here but, from our perspective, more the numbers of people that were interested in soil and soil microbiology. We see that in other sectors, but greenkeepers seem really engaged and want to employ some of that knowledge down to a technical level.”

 

With 578 tickets sold in advance for education across Sunday and Monday, supplemented by those who purchased placements on the day, it is estimated that approximately 3,000 hours of education took place on the opening two days of the programme.

 

Steve Chappell, superintendent at Royal Bled in Slovenia, brought members of his team to participate in the education programme.

 

Steve was head greenkeeper at Gleneagles when the club hosted the Ryder Cup in 2014, but his attendance at the soil microscopy workshop held on Sunday afternoon proved that you’re never too experienced to learn.

 

“I think Continue to Learn is fantastic,” said Steve. “It’s something that I’ve seen grow and develop over the last five or six years. For me, without being biased towards the association, it is the best greenkeeping educational programme that I’ve experienced anywhere in our industry, outside of Europe included. I think it’s absolutely phenomenal. It’s always very current and there’s always a great mix between hot topics that are relevant to the current industry and the way it’s shifting. 

 

“You also get those recurring themes that always underpin the foundation of the industry. It’s always a really nice mix and there’s something for everyone, from course manager and superintendent right down to apprentice greenkeeper.”

 

For more information about Continue to Learn and BTME 2019, head to www.btme.org.uk