Sally Drury will be judging the GroundsFest Innovation Awards which celebrate excellence and innovation across landscaping, amenity management, turf care and related industries.
As the gates open on GroundsFest 2026, judges will tour the showground and seek out the latest ground-breaking machinery, tools and services set to boost productivity and profitability. There will also be awards for products that have stood the test of time and are still used today by landscaping and grounds teams.
The 2026 award winners will be unveiled and celebrated in the Landscape Zone, Hall 3 at 3.30pm on 16 September at the GroundsFest trade event, which takes place on September 16–17, 2026.
What do you love most about your work?
Meeting people who care for the landscape - whether that's sports pitches, parks and gardens, woodland, estates or the wider landscape. There is always something new to learn from the people I meet - and they are always willing to share.
What would you say to young people considering careers in the sector?
Landscapes and sports facilities offer so much variety of work from physical work to managerial and science and research. And you are having an impact on the environment which in turn can be reflected in people's health.
What would be your big ask of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham?
Recognise that sports facilities and green landscapes impact the public's physical and mental heath.
What are the most important challenges the grounds maintenance industry needs to overcome in 2026?
Drought and flooding primarily but also the lack of recognition by the general public and politicians of the importance of the industry, how it affects them and how professional and technical it is. This isn't just mowing and weeding!
What are you most looking forward to at GroundsFest as a visitor?
Seeing the latest developments in machinery, tools and products that can help make the sector more productive and profitable.
