TPI ON THE ROAD AT THE GCSAA CONFERENCE Reported by Suz Trusty The 2022 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, held in San Diego, California, February 5-10, marked the association’s first major international gathering since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Conference theme was “Moving Forward,” a concept attendees enthusiastically embraced. Though due to San Diego’s Covid protocols, all participants were required to wear their “official wristband” indicating they were “CrowdPass Approved,” showing they had presented either proof of their Covid vaccination or negative Covid test results—the overall atmosphere was cheerful and upbeat. The GCSAA Trade Show presents a kaleidoscope of the turfgrass industry, with many TPI member suppliers exhibiting and multiple TPI turfgrass producer members who supply their sod to those within the golf course market also exhibiting. In addition, many TPI member turfgrass professors visit the trade show area—especially those making presentations during the educational sessions and/or those shepherding their student attendees, many of which are team members participating in GCSAA’s Turf Bowl. Additionally, the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) holds a breakfast meeting in conjunction with the GCSAA conference, bringing turfgrass industry editors, writers, supplier communication directors, and public relations specialists to the mix.
GCSAA Turf Bowl 2022 Top Ten: # 1 – Purdue University – Team 31 # 2 - SUNY Delhi – Team 19 # 3 - Ohio State University – Team 27 # 4 - Penn State University – Team 3 # 5 - Penn State University – Team 6 # 6 - Michigan State University – Team 22 # 7 - Oklahoma State University – Team 14 # 8 - Purdue University – Team 32 # 9 - University of Maryland – Team 29 # 10 - Purdue University – Team 33
The annual “Ladies Leading Turf ” Power Hour took place the afternoon of February 9. This year’s theme was “Mentoring Women.” The inspiring session featured leading women within the industry sharing their successful strategies for mentorship and relating their experiences in both mentorship and mentee roles. Immediately following the session, all women—and men—employed or studying in the turfgrass industry were welcome to attend a reception to network and socialize. The attendance at these two events is growing every year, as are the networking connections that are formed during them. A highlight of the conference, for both turf docs and students, is GCSAA's Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition. In 2022, forty-four teams, composed of 153 students from across North America competed in the event. Purdue University’s Team #31 took first place. Student members of the number one team are: William Myrehn, Nicholas Oyler, William Hathaway, and Kyle Kidwell. Two additional Purdue Turf Bowl teams made the Top Ten, coming in at number 8 and number 10. The advisor to the Purdue University Turf Bowl teams is Cale A. Bigelow, PhD. Dr. Bigelow teams with Mike Fidanza, PhD, to provide the “Rooted in Research” articles for TPI’s Turf News. TPI Turf News May/June 2022
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