ETP 2017 Turf Expo, Ysselsteyn Netherlands
After two smaller but successful events in 2015 (Lincoln – UK) and 2016 (Ginosa – IT) in the “Farm Tour” format, ETP organized their first Seminar & Turf Expo event in Ysselsteyn (NL) on 28-29 September 2017.
On September 28th over 200 delegates gathered in the Hotel Asteria in Venray where works kicked off with the annual General Assembly of members of ETP, with a report on membership and finances by ETP Secretary, followed by a brief exchange of ideas and debate on the future of ETP.
After a short buffet lunch break the Seminar proper program, chaired by ETP President Tim Fell, was opened by a presentation by Fabio Travaini of Desso-Grassmaster on the peculiarities and benefits of the new farm-grown “lay-and-play” hybrid turf systems.
ETP Social Media Manager Eef Dijkstra then continued with a detailed and passionate outlook on how to make the most of social media and how to improve the visibility and presence of sod-farming and supplier companies on the web.
After a short coffee break it was the turn of Dr. Casey Reynolds, TPI Executive Director and most welcome guest of ETP, to supply an in-depth view of “Turfgrass Production Developments in the United States & Canada”. Casey touched upon a series of interesting challenges and opportunities in North America, including the relationship between turfgrass, climate and society-at-large.
Prof. Bernd Leinauer, newly appointed Head of Turfgrass Research at Wageningen University, then came on to illustrate the wealth of research background accumulated during his time at New Mexico State University, especially on water management on turfgrass.
Finally, Seminar guests were treated to a presentation by Nicolas Evans of FIFA on their “Playing surfaces strategy”. The information provided by Nicolas and the excitement of being able to interact with a FIFA official sparked a very intense and insightful discussion on the floor. Hopefully this will be the start of a fruitful relationship between ETP and FIFA.
Dinner, graciously sponsored by Barenbrug and Vanmac, saw everyone in good spirits and enjoying the networking time, with chatting and drinking continuing well into the night.
The following morning saw the opening of the Turf Expo day, held at the Direct Gazon sod farm in Ysselsteyn, whose owner Rob Bruin proved to be an exquisite host and instrumental to the good outcome of the event.
Over 400 people attended the Expo, which was blessed with uncommonly warm and sunny weather for late September in the Netherlands. Split between three exhibition areas (indoor, general machinery and mowers), the following exhibitors showcased their machinery and supplies: Barenbrug, Bos, Brouwer, Campey Turf Care, Dairon, DLF, Semillas Fitò, GKB, ICL, Jacklin Seed, Kesmac, Magnum, Mowing Solutions, Nannings van Vuuren, Progressive Turf Equipment, Redexim, Top Green, Trebro, Trilo, Turf Tick, V-Mow and Wessex.
A 2 ha area was reserved for periodical demonstrations during the day of tilling, soil works, seeding and harvesting machines, whereas a huge 10 ha area was used to accommodate the demonstrations of sweeping and mowing machinery, some of which were truly enormous ! All this was held with visitors safely behind red tape and safety stewards monitoring machinery and crowd movements.
This huge organising effort by ETP and local organizers (Barenbrug, Vanmac, JV-Events and Direct Gazon) that was rewarded with the presence of delegates from 30 nations and 3 continents, for the makings of a memorable show which has set the bar very high for events to come.
ETP will be looking to repeat the Seminar & Turf Expo event every third year (so next appointment is for 2020), while for 2019 organization is already underway to host participants at the next “Farm Tour” to be held in the October in Portugal, hosted by Novogreen at their new Comporta sod farm.