This is great time to reflect on 2008 and consider ways to improve on the previous year. As you go through your winter to do list – make sure it includes attending a local and/or national turfgrass conference. Attending conferences are a great way to network with other professionals within the industry and meet with students who are studying to become turfgrass managers.

Conferences offer innovative lectures given by experts in areas such as irrigation, drainage, plant pathogens, field design, field maintenance and much, much more. Lectures are often given by college professors or knowledgable industry veterans.

Conferences are a great place to talk through ideas and learn more about new and creative practices that are improving the turfgrass industry. These forums are especially helpful at local conferences because many of the attendees come from similar environments where they face similar challenges or issues that you face on a daily basis. There may even be someone there who has battled your issues successfully and can provide you the answers you are looking for.

Many conferences also offer trade shows where you will be given the opportunity to look at the newest turf related products and services on the market today. Representatives are on hand to educate you on their companies’ products and to answer any questions you might have.

Local conferences are not only a great educational tool for turfgrass managers; they are also a great educational tool for your employees. By sending your employees to these conferences you help them broaden their knowledge on major turfgrass issues. Students seeking a degree in turfgrass management will also benefit from these conferences.

Students are given the opportunity to expand on their knowledge learned in the classroom and are provided with great opportunities to seek out potential internships and jobs. Conferences help introduce students to the industry they will soon be a part of.

Two years ago I attended a local conference in the Kansas City area because I was looking to learn more about turfgrass management. While at the conference I learned about the University of Missouri Turfgrass program. I now find myself at the University of Missouri where I am receiving an excellent education and have had a fantastic college experience. Since arriving at Mizzou three semesters ago, I’ve gained work experience as a full time sports turf intern and I’ve also been fortunate enough to become the president of the University of Missouri Turf Club.

The Turf Club has since led me to national conferences like The Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). While attending my first STMA conference I met with many potential employers while seeking internship opportunities. Through the contacts I made at the STMA conference I was offered an internship with the Washington Nationals by Head Groundskeeper Larry DiVito and Assistant John Royse. I gained a great deal of knowledge while working with them and I was able to spend an unforgettable summer in Washington, D.C.

Through my attendance at conferences I have made great contacts within the industry and increased my understanding of turfgrass management. I strongly encourage you to find a local conference to attend. You can do so by contacting your local turf grass association or University turfgrass specialist for more information. Membership in a local association is recommended as it can be a very helpful tool.

Membership in an association allows you to discuss regional issues with other members throughout the year. Membership costs are typically very minimal and the return you see on your investment will be well worth it. These local associations help strengthen our industry and allow for continued growth. These local associations also help local and national conferences to take place.

The national conferences offer a broad scope of knowledge and experience from experts all over the country. Not to mention, the national conferences are often hosted at beautiful and luxurious locations. The conferences committees do a great job of making work into a vacation.

The next national conference is the the CCSAA Conference in New Orleans, Feb. 2-7. It is part of the larger Golf Industry Show, which will features hundreds of products and services focused on maintaining turfgrass. Hope to see you there.