ARB Show returns with a new look, exciting new activities, demos and competitions.
Our flagship industry event mixes education, entertainment, innovations and technology in a festival atmosphere, all within the UK’s most important collection of trees.
Showcasing new technology and innovations
The UK’s biggest arboriculture-focused trade show continues to grow, with evolving activities and attractions for both the industry and the public.
This year will see some incredible demonstrations showcasing the advancements in arboriculture and the tools, equipment and techniques that can revolutionise tree care, making it efficient and safer.
There’ll be plenty on offer from a wide range of exhibitors who are experts in a huge range of products and services, displaying the latest equipment available in every market from decay detection technology, soil decompaction and enrichment to new climbing kit and almost every type of chipper and arb accessory you could imagine.
Thirst for Först
A brand-new demonstration area has been added this year, featuring chainsaw displays and sessions. This will feature entertainment, demonstrations and shows to watch throughout the day. There’ll also be a new range of food trucks, and a brand-new bar area brought to you by main sponsors Först. The Arb Worker Zone is back with a tree climbing tips and tricks drop in area led by industry experts mic’d up during each session and drawing fantastic crowds and feedback.
Show-goers will also be able to explore the stunning landscape and remarkable trees within the award-winning Arboretum, including 170 champion trees. The Association event team has worked hard on a new and improved showground layout, to enable exhibitors and visitors to make the most of the incredible venue.
Captivating competitions
In addition to these new features, familiar favourites including The ARB Show Open Climbing Competition, sponsored by Petzl, will be showcasing just some of the many technical skills involved in being a professional arborist. Last year we introduced two new climbing competitions to the Arb Show open event. With the Work climb event used in the ISA tree climbing competition in one tree, and in another a brand-new competition format called the Ten Bell Challenge. In this event climbers start from the ground, ascended their climbing lines and proceeded to ring Ten bells hung in the tree during their descent.
The concept behind both climbs was to demonstrate how a climber can move safely and efficiently around the tree using two climbing lines in accordance to TG1.
Other arb delights making their return include the activity arena, home of the popular Knot Tying and Throwline Competitions sponsored by LANTRA. Last year eleven-year-old Charlie Graham took second place in the knot-tying competition at ARB Show with an incredible time of 13.81 seconds and the video of his amazing feat has been viewed more than 14 million times!
We’re also planning some exciting new competitions which all visitors can get involved in, with announcements to be made in the next few weeks.
Evolution of arb
This special exhibit will be expanding to celebrate the past, present and future of arb. Anyone is invited to contribute to this area which showcases the advancements and changes in equipment and technology through the years. Since the first edition ARB Show has always been the event to launch the tools, equipment and techniques that can revolutionise tree care, making it efficient and safer. As well as being as being the place to demonstrate how rapidly innovations can evolve.
The majority of these changes are led by, and impossible without the vision of forward-thinking arborists. So, as well as celebrating technical milestones this is a chance to highlight some of the people behind the scenes whose contributions have changed the way we work.
Careers and Education Hub
A welcome addition to the ARB Show last year was our careers hub, which was created a space to inspire, motivate and support public awareness, education, and careers in arboriculture. Our team have developed a new and improved careers and education hub, expanding on this success. This year visitors will have the chance to hear from industry professionals and urban tree enthusiasts offering valuable insights on the wide range of job opportunities and supporting educational courses available within arboriculture. The lineup will also feature a new immersive VR learning experience with Callum Throw from Arb Innovators. There’ll also be some arb-themed and forest school style activities taking place nearby.
Aspiring arborists can get involved with the Kid’s Climbing tree, returning on both days with the Great Big Tree Climbing Company team, who teach children how to enter a tree’s canopy using ropes, knots and karabiners, whilst being securely attached in a harness at all times. Each child is given a free small tree to plant after their climb.
Members get free entry