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 featured 150 exhibitors and attracting 4,200 delegates, bringing an economic impact of over £3 million to Harrogate and the wider district.
It is organised by Europe’s largest membership organisation for golf greenkeepers, BTME has been taking place in Harrogate for 36 years.
It was 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.
The event takes place in the slow 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 green keeping professionals each year.
Jim Croxton, BIGGA CEO, said:
Ever since the inaugural European Turf Management Exhibition in 1989, Harrogate has been the spiritual home of the UK green keeping 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, said:
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 green keeping 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 green keeping community back next week and for many years to come.
