One of the best yet!
The ARB Show reviews a great event for all
With a record number of exhibitors and over two thousand visitors, the 15th annual
ARB Show has been heralded one of the best yet by organisers the Arboricultural
Association: “I’d like to thank all our exhibitors, visitors and behind-the-scenes
teams for their support and for making the ARB Show 2013 a truly successful
event”, said Karen Martin, Chief Executive of the Arboricultural Association,
speaking after the Show. “I hope everyone made good contacts and had an
informative, valuable and worthwhile visit and that our highly valued exhibitors
managed good business at the Show. I thank you all sincerely for your support”,
she concluded.
The Arboricultural Association’s 15th annual trade fair, held on 14th and 15th June, was
justifiably hailed a resounding success by the organisers. Visitor numbers were over 25
per cent up on the previous year with more than 2,100 attending over the two days, plus
over 100 people who were at the Show to take part in demonstrations and competitions at
the event. The ARB Show attracted arborists and specialist tree workers from across
Great Britain, confirming the event’s standing as the country’s single and biggest show
dedicated to ARB.
Exhibitors deem ARB Show a success!
A record 81 exhibitors including many newcomers, attended this year’s sell-out ARB Show
and were very positive about the benefits of the event.
Show sponsor STIHL GB set their Technical Centre in the main part of the showground,
and were kept busy with visitors who wanted an update on the latest STIHL technologies
or specialist advice from the technical team at the Show each day. Commenting on the
event, Sally-Ann James, Product Marketing Manager for STIHL GB said: “It was a great
show for STIHL, the weather held off and there was a strong interest on the stand. As
always the technical crew were busy most of the day and it was great to have such
Jo Musson
Public Relations
positive feedback about our new technologies, and the new STIHL X-FLEX PPE, which
was being exhibited before its release next year.”
Global Recycling attended the Show for the first time since 2008, with their new range of
wood chippers and stump grinders. Rachel Shaw, Sales Manager for Global Recycling,
was very positive about their experience of the event: “It was a very good show for us and
well put together. We achieved sales; the event targeted the right people for our
machinery and we will definitely be booking a stand next year,” she said. When asked
about the interest from visitors she said: “We could actually have done with a third day,
with the amount of people coming through.”
John Wilson from regular exhibitors, Wilson Machinery, said they come back to the ARB
Show year after year quite simply because it is very good show, located in a strong
business area for them.
Another exhibitor, Fuelwood did not attend the ARB Show last year, but upon returning in
2013, said they would definitely be back next year. Samantha Eales, General Manager for
Fuelwood, said she was pleased with the amount of people at the Show and staff on
Friday didn’t even get time for lunch it was so busy: “It provides the right type of customer
and we’ve had a great response from really interested customers.”
An enjoyable weekend for all
The STIHL–sponsored Contractor’s Workshop once again proved popular among visitors,
with a programme of 30-minute seminar sessions on a variety of topics ensuring
something to interest every visitor. Presentations ranged from Karen Martin’s vision for
the Arboricultural Association, through the hot topic of Pests and Diseases to a fascinating
tale of African Tree exploration.
In addition to the Contractor’s Workshops, there was a busy schedule of technical
demonstrations which took place each day attracting many visitors keen to learn more
about new kit and technologies or wanting to refresh or update their skills. The STIHLsponsored Treevolution team from Scotland led by Chris White, shared their knowledge
on aerial rescues and assisted tree felling, as well as demonstrating some of STIHL’s new
chain saw technologies in the woodland demo area. Demonstrations included the new
STIHL MS 150 TC-E lightweight top-handled pruning chain saw and the MS 441 C-M
chain saw with its M-Tronic self-tuning engine. This year one lucky visitor also became the
lucky owner of an MS 150 TC-E chain saw – which he won in the free prize draw just by
registering at the Show. Congratulations go to Paul Yates of Yates Tree Surgery in
Worcestershire, who attended the Show on the Friday and is now the proud new owner of
the MS 150 TC-E.
Demonstrations that took place around a veteran Beech tree on the showground also
drew a large crowd, with Vikki Bengtsson of the Ancient Tree Forum talking about the
important of old trees and the different pruning techniques needed to maintain them. Dr
Helen Read of the Ancient Tree Forum also spoke about the crown reduction of lapsed
beech pollard at Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire and presented an introduction to
the VETree project which provides vocational courses and learning resources for veteran
tree management.
Further practical and interactive demonstrations added to visitors’ enjoyment and the
benefits of a visit to the Show. The 14th annual AUS Utility Skills competition for example,
gave spectators a fascinating insight into this specialist area, testing teams in a range of
work-related tasks including a tree rescue, a challenge related to safe and accurate
insulated rod use, and a rescue from a utility pole.
Competition winners
Sponsored by industry jobs noticeboard Arbjobs.com this year’s 3ATC UK OPEN
attracted an impressive 48 enthusiastic entrants. In recent years the 3ATC (Arboricultural
Association Arborist Tree Challenge) UK Open event has proved a popular visitor
attraction at the ARB Show. The tree climbing challenge tests competitors’ skills and
safety in a simulated work climb around one of the large and majestic Cedar trees on the
edge of the showground. The 3ATC OPEN event is as its name implies, open to the three
different categories of competitor, catering for all levels from the novice to the most
experienced climber. The event always produces some friendly rivalry between
competitors and this year was no exception. Prizes were generously provided by the
3ATC OPEN sponsor ARBJOBS.com and each climber received an exclusive “I was Arb
enough” t-shirt. The winners of each category were:
Premier Category: Martin Unwin : F.C.T* 12.05
Expert Category: Graham Bird : F.C.T* 1.44
Novice Category: Philip Veal : F.C.T* 5.24 (optimum Novice time 5.30)
* F.C.T : Final Climb Time after penalties and bonusses.
Premier Category competitors install access lines and climb from the ground up in to the
tree. Expert and Novice competitors start their climb times from the top of the tree.
A full list of winners, runners-up and their prizes is available on the 3ATC website:
www.3atc.com.
The dates and details of the 2014 ARB Show will be announced later this year. For a
gallery of images from the 2013 Show, plus exhibitor details, visit the Arboricultural
Association website: www.trees.org.uk/training-events/The-ARB-Show.
- ENDS Pictures available :
Show Logo
STIHL MS 150 TC-E chain saw
Show Free Prize Draw
Martin Unwin – limb walk
Winner 3ATC Premier Category
Treevolution_Demo
Assisted Tree Fell
ARB Show 2013_Showground
ARB Show 2013_Trade Stand
Notes to Editors:
1. Since 1964 the Arboricultural Association has been the National body in the UK
and Ireland for the amenity tree care professional in either civic or commercial
employment at craft, technical, supervisory, managerial or consultancy level. There
are currently over 2,000 members of the Arboricultural Association in a variety of
membership classes.
2. The Charitable objective of the Arboricultural Association is to Advance the Science
of Arboriculture for the Public Benefit
3. It does this by
Setting standards
Promoting standards and
Enabling Compliance
4. The Arboricultural Association’s Website is www.trees.org.uk