GroundsFest has announced a two‑day, free continuing professional development programme at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on 16 and 17 September 2026, aimed at people working in grounds management, landscaping, local authorities and sports turf.
Open access CPD across four seminar theatres
The event’s education strand will be delivered across four seminar theatres inside Hall 1 and the Landscape Zone. Organisers describe the programme as CPD‑focused and designed to give attendees practical advice and fresh ideas they can implement immediately. Sessions are free with no pre‑booking required, although visitors are advised to arrive early because many talks are expected to be popular.
Speakers and industry partners include leading practitioners and researchers from bodies such as BIGGA and BALI, alongside commercial contributors. The line‑up highlights the event’s mix of technical, workforce and commercial topics.
Topics: climate, apprenticeships and emerging technology
The programme covers an array of issues facing the sector, including climate resilience, workforce development, sustainability and the application of new technologies such as battery equipment and robotics. Named contributions in the programme include:
- Gary Barwell of Edgbaston Stadium on renovating turf after extreme heat and drought stress
- Dr Jonathan Knowles from Leicester City FC Sports Turf Academy on the role of apprenticeships in developing the next generation of practitioners
- Glenn Kirby, Research Director at STRI, speaking on the influence of light on turf performance
- Sessions from commercial specialists including DLF, Mansfield Sand, Origin Amenity Solutions, ICL, Husqvarna and Aquatrols addressing turf science, topdressing, irrigation, battery technology and robotics
By pairing research‑led presentations with practical case studies, the organisers aim to bridge the laboratory and the pitch, demonstrating how recent advances in turf science and machinery can be applied on the ground.
What this means for training and workforce pathways
The inclusion of apprenticeship policy and workforce development sessions underscores a wider national focus on vocational routes into green professions. Speakers such as Dr Jonathan Knowles will discuss the growing importance of apprenticeships for sustaining technician pipelines in sports turf and grounds management — sectors that rely on practical skills and on‑the‑job learning.
CPD events like GroundsFest offer a forum for employers, training providers and colleges to see how new teaching content and industry practice might be aligned with apprenticeship standards, further education courses and in‑service training.
Data snapshot: theatres and themes
| Venue | Main focus | Representative speakers/organisations |
|---|---|---|
| Hall 1 (Pitchcare stage) | Turf renovation, heat/drought responses | Gary Barwell; industry partners |
| BIGGA & DLF theatre | Turf science, lighting, machinery | Glenn Kirby (STRI); DLF; ICL; Husqvarna |
| Landscape Zone theatre | Landscaping future, autonomous equipment, resilient planting | BALI; commercial suppliers |
Attendees will be able to move between theatres throughout the day to assemble a programme suited to their interests and job roles.
Implications for employers and education providers
For employers, the event provides a free, concentrated opportunity to update teams on current best practice and emerging machinery. For colleges and training providers it offers insight into employer priorities — from climate adaptation of green spaces to the uptake of battery‑powered and autonomous equipment — which can inform curriculum reviews and placement opportunities.
Organisers stress the practical intent of the programme: sessions aim not only to inform but to show how techniques and technologies can be introduced on site without long lead times. That practical orientation is important for sectors where apprenticeships and on‑the‑job training are central to workforce development.
With a mixture of research input, commercial demonstrations and skills discussions, GroundsFest’s education programme is positioned as a national forum for those responsible for the stewardship of sports pitches, parks and landscaped spaces.
