🪓 Calling All Arborists – What Do You Want to See at an Arb Exhibition? 🌳

[James Bunn Pro Arb Live]

We’re in the early stages of planning an arborist-focused exhibition, and we want to make it genuinely useful, relevant, and exciting for the arb community.

Whether you're a seasoned climber, consultant, plant health expert, or just starting out, we’d love to hear:

👉 What kind of demos, talks, or gear would get you through the door?
👉 Are there specific topics, speakers, or hands-on activities you’d like included?
👉 Do you prefer climbing comps, kit testing, technical workshops… or something totally different?

Now’s your chance to help shape something that works for us, not just about us.

Drop your ideas, wishlist items, or even pet peeves in the comments – let’s build something worth turning up for. 💪

#arbtalk #arboriculture #arbexhibition #treework #climbers #arblife #arborists

[Stephen Blair]

A good beer tent and food is your starting point.  

[James Bunn Pro Arb Live]

Thank you @Stephen Blair. 100% That would be a great starting point! Is there companies you would like to see?

[Steve Bullman]

The single biggest complaint at nearly every show is always the beer and food. If you can get some reasonably priced food in you'll be onto a winner. 

Entry fee...should be free IMO. Most enjoyable shows used to be Capel manor and the FR Jones show...free entry with a big focus on the social side.

Demos/gear talk, interesting for some, but people wont be talking about that for weeks after and eagerly awaiting the next one like they would a good social event.

 

[sime42]

Mobile reception for card payments. And/or a stipulation that all vendors must also accept cash. 

 

 

[Mark Bolam]

Good beer and food as said.

Stock more lager, Guinness and cider, and less Badgers Olde Fartdodger.

 

Cash or card.

 

Quick course climbing comps.

No one wants to see some fat old bloke crawling round a tree for 35 minutes to prove he’s still got it.

 

Working demos of rigging gear.

 

No plant/machinery over £100k.

 

No slicked back hairstyles / tracksuits with Barbour gilets / thieves.

 

 

[James Bunn Pro Arb Live]

@Steve Bullman. Excellent points, I think it is key to have free entry so arborists have more money to spend on new equipment. Food and Drink is also important as most exhibitions charge ridiculous amounts for food and drink. Live demos are essential to keep arborists entertained and educated.

 

very good points thank you soo much for your feedback!

[James Bunn Pro Arb Live]

@Mark Bolam. A good bar i think is very essential and live demos are important to keep arborists up to date with new products and technology as well as educate them.

[AHPP]

Big signs showing what's on, where and when. No fcking app or QR code to scan for interactive virtual bollocks.

 

Food and drink reasonably priced. The low brow cycnicism of being pumped £14 for a burger as a captive market honestly stops people coming.

 

Extremely high quality talks/demonstrations/workshops. No generalist sales rep reading from a brochure. No fat office wallah wasting your life with a powerpoint that might have conned a wildlife trust but doesn't actually say anything. Proper experts, talking details. Vet and discriminate. Extremely high quality only. 

 

Good classroom environment. Maybe a gazebo with a side open so people can be under shelter, looking out to an outside demo but able to check a board or paperwork in the dry as it goes along. One mic for teacher and one floating round the crowd for questions. Podcast it?

 

I'm particularly interested in arb rigging so, for that, a selection of trees including spready-crowned hardwoods. Trees getting cut and roped. The ability to get close to see well and have a go.

 

 

[Mark Bolam]

James you’re talking like a robot.