Harrogate Convention Centre cements long-term relationship with BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME)

Harrogate Convention Centre (HCC) has signed a three-year contract with the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association (BIGGA), organiser of the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), to host the trade event until 2028.

BTME 2026 is coming up on 20 to 22 January 2026, with its Continue to Learn education programme taking place from 18 to 21 January 2026.

The last event, BTME 2025, was a resounding success, featuring more than 150 exhibitors and attracting over 4,200 delegates, bringing an economic impact of over £3 million to Harrogate and the wider district at a traditionally quiet time of the year.

BTME: 36 Years in Harrogate and Counting

Organised by Europe’s largest membership organisation for golf greenkeepers, BTME has been taking place in Harrogate for 36 years.

First held in 1989 at HCC under the name of European Turf Management Exhibition (ETME), this long-running trade exhibition was created at a time when golf rose in popularity. Golf courses started to outgrow sandy coastal linksland into various terrain around the country, driving the demand for higher standards of professional greenkeeping.

Taking place in the fallow period between Christmas and the start of the new golfing season, BTME is now considered one of the most important events in the golf industry due to the development opportunities and access to the latest technology and innovations it provides.

Comprising an exhibition of the latest products and innovations in sports turf, more than 250 hours of Continue to Learn education sessions and an awards ceremony, BTME attracts thousands of golf course managers and other greenkeeping professionals each year.

Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, say: “Ever since the inaugural European Turf Management Exhibition in 1989, Harrogate has been the spiritual home of the UK greenkeeping industry. Following a hugely successful instalment of the trade show and education conference in January 2025, we’re delighted to renew our partnership with the Harrogate Convention Centre, ensuring BIGGA members and the thousands of other attendees to BTME can look forward to many more fruitful and inspiring days in Harrogate until 2028 and beyond.”

Paula Lorimer, Director at Harrogate Convention Centre, says: “I am delighted to continue our long-term relationship with BIGGA. One of the largest long-running trade events at our venue, BTME is a flagship event for the greenkeeping industry and brings significant footfall for hotels, restaurants and bars in Harrogate in a traditionally quiet time of the year. I look forward to welcoming the greenkeeping community back next week and for many years to come.”

Simon Cotton, Managing Director of Harrogate based HRH Group, which own the Fat Badger & White Hart Hotel, along with The Pickled Sprout & Yorkshire Hotel, says: “This is great news for Harrogate’s hospitality businesses. The BIGGA exhibition and event is critical to bringing in thousands of visitors into the town in what is a traditionally quiet time for hospitality. Like many events at HCC, BTME fills many of the town’s hotels, but these visitors also really enjoy the whole hospitality scene Harrogate offers and fill many of the bars and restaurants during the show delivering a significant economic impact. I, along with my colleagues in the Harrogate Hospitality & Tourism Association, are delighted with the news.”

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