PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
I
Judd Duininck
GCBAA PRESIDENT
BOARD MEMBERS Chris Caccavale Caterpillar Inc. (Secretary) Kevin Grieder Sunbelt Rentals, Inc. Chris Hill Course Crafters LLC Greg Hufner Total Turf Services Pat Karnick Wadsworth Golf Construction Company (Past President) Matt Lohmann Wadsworth Golf Construction Company John McDonald II McDonald & Sons, Inc. (President Elect) Jon O’Donnell Heritage Links Manny Pina Ewing Irrigation Rick Shriver HARCO Fittings Jason Sloan Frontier Golf Blake Thomas Regency Wire & Cable Jon Truttmann Hunter Industries (Vice President) Rick Williamson LASCO Fittings, Inc. Tom Works Landscapes Unlimited, LLC (Treasurer)
t has been a busy few months since the last EarthShaping Newsletter, personally and professionally. I hope this is finding you, your family and colleagues staying safe and healthy during these unusual times. My wife, Shelly, and I enjoyed the “slow down” of summer and spending time with the kids at the lake before sending the oldest back to college and the joy and tears of moving our middle child into his first year of college. Our youngest is having her sophomore year of high school “hybrid” like many of you may be for work. In August, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) announced the 2021 Golf Industry Show would become a virtual event themed “Your Space. Your Pace. All in One Place.”. Shortly after this announcement, the GCBAA Board of Directors held their Summer Board Meeting in a virtual format. The GCBAA Board of Directors and GCBAA Staff quickly went into action to look for all opportunities as presenting partners of the show. A virtual education committee was formed to assist with the current education committee to host a GCBAA Virtual Education Member Workshop. We had over 30 member participants, which brought a very diverse list of education topics and interests. Whether you were able to join us in the workshop or if you directly sent staff feedback via e-mail, we cannot thank you enough for your participation and value your input. The workshop allowed the GCBAA Staff to create a unique “library” of ideas for future events, and we were able to generate 12 significant seminars that will allow the association a better presence among the GIS. We welcomed Blake Thomas of Regency Wire & Cable to the GCBAA Board of Directors. Blake was appointed to fulfill the remainder of outgoing Board Member Bob Sylvester’s term, who resigned his position this summer. Bob has remained very active with the GCBAA Staff and Education Committee. I want to personally thank Bob for his dedication and service to the GCBAA and GCBAA Board of Directors. In mid-October, the GCBAA Executive Board held our Fall Meeting in a virtual format, with the 2021 Virtual Golf Industry Show as a major topic of discussion. GCBAA Staff were able to share some updates from GCSAA on new developments of exhibiting at the show in a virtual experience, as well as our GCBAA Construction track. We encourage your
facility to take part in the “All-Access Package” for the education seminars, which allows GCBAA members the opportunity to participate, engage and be a part of GIS 2021! Please contact the GCBAA Staff for assistance on registering for the education, as well as options on the trade show booths. The virtual world is constantly evolving, and the GCBAA Staff want to help you have a successful presence at the show. The new virtual meeting structure is challenging the GCBAA Staff and their creative side to understand what the GIS will look like to those “at the show”. We are blessed to have such a talented team with the ability to think outside the box and run with the changes. The association continues to work hard and collaborate on increasing member benefits for “Buy From Within”. Your mailboxes should have been flooded over the past few months with announcements of new and existing partnerships. Be sure to review the opportunities on the GCBAA.org website under Membership/Member Benefits. After nearly 31 years, GCBAA released a new logo “reflecting growth and momentum”. It is such a great way for us to showcase the evolution and success of our organization. Stay tuned for more information regarding opportunities for merchandise and other 50th Anniversary announcements. Golf construction, renovation and the sport overall have continued to remain positive throughout the pandemic. As an association, we look to finish the year strong and remain optimistic for 2021. Though many events have moved to a virtual platform, I am looking forward to meeting in person again at the 2021 Summer Meeting at the Biltmore Estate, as well as celebrating our association’s 50th Anniversary throughout next year. I look forward to seeing you all in person when it is safe, and we can do so again. As always, feel free to reach out to me or the GCBAA Staff with any updates, questions, or concerns. Sincerely,
Judd Duininck
EARTH SHAPING NEWS
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JUSTIN APEL
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
justin_apel@gcbaa.org
MYCHELLE THOMPSON
PROGRAM & PLANNING MANAGER
mychelle_thompson@gcbaa.org
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