Connecticut Associations Join Forces for Conference, Trade Show

The Connecticut Grounds Keepers Association (CGKA) and the Connecticut Irrigation Contractors Association (CICA) announced today that the two organizations will co-host the upcoming 2006 Connecticut Turf & Landscape Conference. This annual conference and trade show, slated for Feb. 14 and 15 is moving to the new Connecticut Conference Center at Adriaen’s Landing in Hartford, Conn. In keeping with the new location and the joining of forces for the event, the conference and trade show’s theme will be “A New Beginning.”

“The CGKA has always had a very successful trade show and conference, which up to now has usually been held at the Hartford City Center,” explains CGKA Executive Director Dick Tice. “When the new Connecticut Conference Center opened, we saw it as a great venue for the event, but because we suddenly had so much space at our disposal we wanted to get as many people and exhibitors involved as we possibly could.”

Tice says during a forum on water conservation hosted by the CICA, the two associations agreed on the idea of co-hosting the show. “We heard a little grumbling from the membership at first, but after we took a look at the success that many of the national associations have had in co-sponsoring trade shows, we’ve found that our members have really opened up to the idea and we’re looking forward to a great event in February,” Tice says.

An effort is underway to promote this event to new exhibitors and potential attendees. This effort, along with a new format on the trade show floor, an expanded educational program, and the new world-class venue is designed to elevate the annual event to be a top landscape and irrigation contractor event in New England.

For more exhibitor or attendee information contact Dick Tice at 203/699-9912 or rtice@snet.net