EIMA International and SALTEX set to showcase the future of horticulture, landscaping and grounds management

Photo: Joe Keogh

Two major international industry exhibitions will bring together machinery manufacturers, suppliers and professionals this November, offering valuable insights into the technologies and developments shaping the future of green spaces and outdoor maintenance

Sports & Parks

5 November 2026

November will be a significant month for the international horticulture, landscaping and grounds management industries, with EIMA International in Bologna, Italy, and SALTEX at the NEC Birmingham both taking place from 10–14 November and 11–12 November respectively.

While the exhibitions serve different areas of the industry, both provide opportunities for professionals to explore new equipment, assess emerging technologies and connect with manufacturers and suppliers from across the sector.

For Irish businesses and professionals working in horticulture, landscaping, sports turf and parks management, the two events offer an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of developments influencing the industry.

EIMA International: a global showcase for machinery and technology

Taking place at BolognaFiere from 10–14 November, EIMA International is one of the major international exhibitions dedicated to agricultural and gardening machinery.

Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Federation of Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers, the biennial exhibition brings together manufacturers from around the world to showcase machinery, equipment and technological developments across the agricultural and green industries.

The 2026 edition will feature 14 merchandise sectors and seven specialist showcases, including EIMA Green, EIMA Components, EIMA Digital, EIMA Energy and EIMA Idrotech.

Of particular interest to the horticulture and landscaping sectors is EIMA Green, which focuses on machinery and equipment for gardening, parks, outdoor spaces and sports facilities.

Its offering includes technologies designed to support the maintenance and management of green spaces, making it particularly relevant to landscape contractors, grounds professionals and machinery suppliers.

Digital technology and irrigation will also feature prominently through dedicated exhibition areas, reflecting the growing importance of efficient resource management and technological innovation across the sector.

The scale of the exhibition is demonstrated by its 2024 edition, which recorded 1,748 exhibitors, 346,800 attendances and more than 60,000 machinery and equipment models on display.

SALTEX celebrates its 80th edition

Running on 11–12 November at the NEC Birmingham, SALTEX 2026 will mark the exhibition’s 80th edition.

Organised by the Grounds Management Association (GMA), SALTEX has been bringing together professionals from the sports turf, landscaping and grounds management industries since 1938.

The exhibition attracts a broad cross-section of the sector, including professional sports grounds, local authorities, parks departments, landscaping contractors, educational institutions, estates and amenity organisations.

With more than 400 brands represented, the 2026 event will provide visitors with opportunities to explore machinery, products and services covering a wide range of grounds maintenance requirements.

Education will also be an important part of the programme. SALTEX is promoting 79 expert speakers and more than 30 hours of free CPD-accredited education through its Learning LIVE programme.

For grounds professionals, the combination of practical product demonstrations, industry expertise and networking makes the exhibition an important date in the annual industry calendar.

Innovation and efficiency remain key industry priorities

Although EIMA International and SALTEX have different areas of focus, both exhibitions highlight the importance of innovation in maintaining and managing outdoor environments.

Machinery manufacturers and technology providers are responding to changing demands from contractors, grounds teams and land managers, with increasing attention being paid to operational efficiency, equipment performance and more sustainable maintenance practices.

Developments in automated machinery, digital systems, irrigation technology and equipment design are particularly relevant to professionals responsible for maintaining parks, sports facilities, commercial landscapes and public green spaces.

For Ireland’s horticulture and grounds management sectors, keeping informed about these developments is important as businesses look to improve productivity, manage operating costs and meet evolving customer and environmental expectations.

International exhibitions also provide an opportunity to compare different approaches to common industry challenges, while allowing professionals to engage directly with manufacturers and discover products and solutions that may influence future investment decisions.