Sports Technology

The upcoming biennial FSB International Trade Fair for Amenity Areas, Sports and Pool Facilities will feature the world's largest synthetic turf exhibition along with a corresponding series of presentations and events.

Being held from 22nd to 25th October 2013 at the massive Koelnmesse Exhibition Centre in Cologne, Germany, FSB is seen as the world's leading sector platform , FSB is a must for anyone wanting to be successful in the fields of sports facilities, playgrounds, swimming pools and recreational facilities. 

At FSB 2013, synthetic turf will have its own forum and the world's largest synthetic turf exhibition. Within Koelnmesse, during FSB, most of Hall 11.3 will be turned into a synthetic turf hall.

Organisers explain that "state-of-the-art synthetic turf coverings have become an essential element in the construction of sports facilities.

"This artificial grass is not dependent on the weather and it can always be easily played on. What's more, it doesn't need to be watered, mowed or fertilised and always looks well cared-for. Synthetic turf is also becoming increasingly popular among municipalities and sports clubs because of its extreme durability.

"Unlike real grass, synthetic turf can be easily played on in any weather. Another advantage of synthetic turf is that it takes a lot less work to maintain, thus saving money as well."

Exhibitors in the hall will include the European Synthetic Turf Organisation (ESTO) and its members, world football governing body FIFA, and around 95 companies presenting the different areas of application for synthetic turf in sports facilities as well as landscape architecture.

The exhibitors will include companies such as Act Global, CoCreation Grass, Condor Carpets, Edel Grass, FieldTurf Tarkett, FORBEX, Gezolan, GreenFields, Hatko, Italgreen, JUTA, Lano Sports, Mapei, Nurteks, Pe-Ba, Polytan, Radici Pietro, Recticel, Redexim, Reform Spor, Saltex, Schmitz Foam, SMG, TenCate Thiolon, Tessiture P. Rad and Tiger Turf.

In addition, advanced fibre and system developments are opening up new areas of application such as leisure facilities. The suppliers will also present improved synthetic turf products, as well as environmentally friendly floor coverings that are largely recyclable. The range of offers will be supplemented by care and cleaning products as well as tools and bedding machines.

The supporting program for the Forum for Synthetic Turf and Leisure Sports Facilities at FSB will provide trade fair visitors with information about synthetic turf including information about planning, creating and caring for areas of synthetic turf, as well as market potential, quality standards, and the costs of laying and maintaining synthetic turf.

The program will also include a specialist meeting devoted to synthetic turf and synthetic floor coverings for sports facilities, a FIFA workshop and a number of events organized by ESTO.

The Fourm is being organised and supported by the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) and its partners, ESTO, FIFA, the Association of German Landscape Architects (bdla) and the West German Football and Athletics Association (WFLV).

Presentations will include:

ESTO/FIFA presentations, from 11.30am, Tuesday 22nd October 2013
A presentations addressing topics such as the development of shock pads for synthetic turf coverings and the legal regulations for synthetic turf areas in Germany. 

The focus here is on special issues related to current debates on the DIN SPEC 18035-7 and -6 standards for calls for tender in Germany and to the current European Union standard DIN EN 15330-1:2008-1. 

In the afternoon, the FIFA workshop will be devoted to heat and synthetic turf as well as the maintenance of synthetic turf areas. 

IAKS presentation, Wednesday 23rd October 2013
The German chapter of IAKS will organise a specialist meeting devoted to synthetic turf and synthetic floor coverings for sports facilities in cooperation with the WFLV. The event will address issues such as the DIN and EN standards, planning principles for facilities and financing possibilities for the creation of synthetic turf areas. 

Two practical examples will be presented; they will focus on synthetic floor coverings for athletics facilities and small sports fields, on the one hand, and the suitability of such coverings for football fields, on the other. 

IAKS presentation, in cooperation with the North Rhine-Westphalia chapter of the Association of German Landscape Architects, from 2pm, Thursday 24th October 2013

A seminar on leisure sports facilities address the following topics: 

• 'Good things come to those who wait: The current Section 4 (grass areas) of the DIN 18035-4 standard for sports facilities', 
• 'Im-possible — the limits and possibilities of LED lighting systems for sports facilities' and 
• 'Can the genie be put back into the bottle? An expert's view of synthetic turf'

At FSB 2013 synthetic turf will also undergo practical testing. During the entire duration of the fair, visitors can use a synthetic turf area called 'Football and more!' to engage in sports activities.

For more information on attending or exhibiting at FSB contact FSB Australian representative Fairlab Exhibition Management on 03 5332 2823, E: info@fairlab.com.au, www.fsb-cologne.com

22nd January 2012 - MEDIA ‘BEAT UP’ ARTIFICIAL TURF: SYNTHETIC GRASS

31st August 2011 - NEW THINKING ON ARTIFICIAL TURF SOLUTIONS

30th August 2011 - FSB PRESENTS ‘THE FUTURE FOR THE WORLD OF RECREATION’

24th March 2009 - NEXT GENERATION CHOOSES TIGERTURF

28th August 2018 - FIELDTURF FIRST