2008 ANNUAL TURFGRASS CONFERENCE & TRADESHOW WRAP-UP

"Building Strong Roots"
October 28-30, 2008
Auburn, Alabama - Auburn University Hotel & Conference Center

Wow! The 2008 Annual Turfgrass Conference and Tradeshow was one of the best ever. That was the comments that were heard by attendees at this year’s event. The educational sessions were informative, timely and beneficial to the members. We had more exhibitors on hand to share the latest turf products on the market. And the social functions were fun and entertaining.

The first day was full of activity. From touring the turfgrass research plots at the Auburn University Turfgrass Research Center to touring Jordan-Hare stadium and other athletic fields on campus – members were able to see first-hand the conditions of turfgrass in Auburn. Golfers enjoyed a tournament at Saugahatchee Country Club hosted by the Alabama Golf Course Superintendents Association. (Thank you AGCSA). Congratulations to Skip Lambert, winner of the sporting clay tournament held at White Oak Plantation that afternoon. The windy day ended with the first-ever Welcoming Reception at Saugahatchee Country Club, where members socialized and tournament prizes were awarded.

Wednesday was also a busy day at the conference. Starting with the breakfast, attendees heard from all the Auburn University turfgrass researchers on their current projects. ATA held it’s Business Meeting, voted on the new Board of Directors and awarded several members with awards. Bill Norrie, Jr., CGCS was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award. Our President’s Award of Excellence was awarded to two deserving members: Tommy Akridge was awarded the Sports Complex of the Year for his field at Alma Bryant High School and Randy Spruiell was awarded the Landscape of the Year for his company’s, Mighty Green Lawn Care, management of Cahaba Center at Grandview’s landscape. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Richard McNider, gave an overview of Alabama’s water resources. The afternoon was consumed with visiting our exhibitors and hearing our Tradeshow Tent Topic presentations. The evening dinner honored our past presidents and wrapped-up with a live auction which raised over $9,000 for the Turfgrass Research Center and Ag Heritage Park.

The last day was also exciting with audio-visual problems during the educational sessions. Despite the technical difficulties, attendees heard sixteen educational sessions in four different break-outs that proved beneficial, informative and entertaining. We appreciate everyone’s attendance and participation in making this year’s conference a success. Plans are already underway to improve the event for 2009. Be sure to make your plans to attend, October 20th-22nd.

Thank you to our Tradeshow Exhibitors ...

Agri-AFC, LLC
Bayer Environmental Science
Bel-Air Turf Products, LLC
BWI Companies
Champion Turf
Cleary Chemical
Double C Services
Dow AgroSciences
DuPont Professional Products
Ewing Irrigation, Golf & Industrial
FMC
g2 turftools
Georgia Turf & Tractor
Harrell's, Inc.
Humphries Turf Supply
Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation
John Deere Landscapes
Keeling Company
Kilpatrick Turf
Monsanto
Organic Growing Systems
Pennington Seed
Regal Chemical Company
Rhyne's Select Turf
Sod Solutions
Southern States Turf
Sports Transportation, LLC
Stillwater Leasing Company, Inc.
Stovall & Company, Inc.
Sur-Line Turf
Syngenta
Terra Nova Turf Products
The Turfgrass Group, Inc.
Trimax Mowing Systems
Valent USA

Thank you to our Conference Sponsors ...

Membership Appreciation Dinner
Kilpatrick Turf

Welcoming Reception
Beard Equipment Company
Georgia Turf & Tractor

Research Breakfast
Agrium Advanced Technologies

Tradeshow Luncheon
Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation

Breaks
Bayer Environmental Science
The Gowan Company

Sporting Clay Tournament
Bayer Environmental Science
DuPont Professional Products
Syngenta

Golf Tournament
Agri-AFC, LLC
Agrium Advanced Technologies
Bayer Environmental Science
Bel-Air Turf Products, LLC
DuPont Professional Products
Ewing Irrigation, Golf & Industrial
E-Z-Go Textron
FMC
Harrell’s, Inc.
Hendrix & Dail
Humphries Turf Supply
Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation
Jesco Products-Pinhigh Compound
John Deere Landscapes
Kilpatrick Turf
NaturChem
Organic Growing Systems
Southeast Turf Maintenance
Stillwaters Leasing Company
Syngenta