If you look at the business pages of the news these days, you get the impression there's not much to be positive about. The UK is on the verge of recession, there's a cost of living crisis and we're all being squeezed for every penny we earn.
At times like this it is vital that you build your own resilience, both professionally and personally. Greater resilience means giving yourself the tools to adapt and overcome any difficult situations you find yourself in. The only way to do this is to invest time and effort into developing your professional abilities, so you are well prepared for the challenges ahead.
If you're a greenkeeper, the best place to do this is at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), taking place in January 2024 at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire.
Join us in January and you'll rub shoulders with more than 5,000 fellow greenkeepers and sports turf professionals, industry experts and innovative companies who are all working together to build a stronger, more resilient profession.
We're BIG on creating learning opportunities for our members - that's the BIGGA way.
What does Continue to Learn offer?
- Education selected by working greenkeepers that targets the challenges faced at today's golf courses and sports facilities.
- Hundreds of hours of education including two full conference days, a Young Greenkeepers Conference, 49 full and half-day classes, 14 free-to-attend seminars and dedicated R&A Golf Course 2030 sessions.
- Targeted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities.
- Sessions hosted by trainers who are leaders in their field.
- Learn from your peers.
- Update your knowledge.
- Learn new skills.
- Network with fellow professionals and industry specialists.
- Fantastic value for money.
Who is Continue to Learn for?
BIGGA's world-leading education is open to anyone working within the sports turf professionals, including golf greenkeepers and other groundsmen.
Education is open to all in the profession - not just BIGGA members - although there are significant savings to be made if you are a BIGGA member.
Continue to Learn is for:
- Course managers
- Head greenkeepers
- Deputies and first assistant greenkeepers
- Qualified and unqualified greenkeepers
- Apprentices
- Groundsmen/women
- Gardeners
- Team leaders and supervisors
- Volunteers
- Golf club managers and secretaries
- Golf club committee members
- Golf club owners and operators
learn more about Continue to Learn here:
What else can you do to add value to attending?
The importance of attending Continue to Learn and BTME goes far beyond structured education.
Head to the Harrogate Convention Centre and you'll be able to:
- Check out the free-to-attend BTME exhibition that showcases more than 120 exhibitors
- Exhibitors bring their latest innovations, products and services and trade representatives are on hand to discuss how they can help improve the playing quality and standard of your golf course or other sportsturf facility
- To find out who you will see at BTME, visit the Exhibitor Directory
- Secure exclusive show offers
- Network with fellow professionals and industry specialists
How can I convince my club to allow me to attend?
A general manager will want to understand the benefits to the golf club that will come from enabling you to attend BTME and Continue to Learn - especially if they will be contributing to the costs. With that in mind, it is important to produce a plan for the week, which will include:
Education events
- Why do you want to attend the education events?
- What do you expect to learn?
- How will you apply this learning?
- How will attending the education event benefit your employer?
- How will it benefit you professionally?
- How will it benefit the rest of the greenkeeping team?
- Can you use a booking bundle to reduce costs?
- Look for early bird accommodation offers
- Book public transport early to secure the lowest price
Exhibition
- Identify the exhibitors you would like to visit
- Provide reasons why they are key contacts
- How can the products and relationships you will access benefit current or future projects at your club?
Networking
- Identify current challenges or projects that you wish to discuss with peers
- Identify ideal opportunities for networking, such as BIGGA events or other exhibitor events - the BIGGA Welcome Celebration is a fantastic place to start
Why not invite your club manager to attend with you?
BIGGA members can download a draft 'justification to attend' letter from the Resources section of the BIGGA website.