Ohio Turfgrass Foundation to Present 40th Annual Conference & Show

The Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show will celebrate its 40th year as a regional event for professional turfgrass managers Dec. 5-7 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.  

About 250 leading turfgrass suppliers will display the latest products and services available in turf management - making it the largest show of its kind in the country. In addition to the three-day exhibition, there are more than 100 hours of educational sessions covering a broad spectrum of turf management topics.

This year’s Keynote Presentation, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. will feature Lonnie Thompson, Ph.D., distinguished university professor, school of earth sciences, senior research Scientist, Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University.  Thompson is an authority on paleoclimatology and glaciology. His presentation “Abrupt Climate Change: Past, Present and Future” will give better understanding of the harmful effects of global warming trends. Thompson is considered by many to be one of the world’s leading experts on global warming.

A Welcome Reception, sponsored by the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, will be held on the trade show floor, immediately following the keynote presentation.

In addition to the popular tracks of education for golf turf management, sports turf, lawn & grounds management, and sod production, this year’s program includes new sessions for landscape irrigation, human resources, and managing low to moderate budget golf courses. 

The conference program features turfgrass researchers, faculty, and extensions agents from Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research Development Center (OARDC), and Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI). The diverse program also includes academia from leading turfgrass institutions around the country, including Thomas Nikolai, Michigan State University; Mike Fidanza, Ph.D. and Peter Landschoot, Ph.D., Penn State University; Doug Richmond, Ph.D. and Cale Bigelow, Ph.D., Purdue University; Bruce Branham, Ph.D., University of Illinois; and Travis Teuton, Ph.D., University of Missouri.

The educational program was developed in conjunction with sponsoring organizations including the Golf Course Superintendents Association Ohio Chapters, Ohio Lawn Care Association, Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association and Ohio Sod Producers Association.

Continuing education credit will be offered through the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA), and pesticide license recertification from Ohio and surrounding states. Also new this year, The Professional LandCare Network (PLANET) will offer certification testing for Certified Turfgrass Professional – Cool Season Lawns, Certified Ornamental Landscape Professional, Certified Landscape Professional, and Certified Landscape Technician. 
  
The Trade Show schedule follows:

Tuesday, Dec. 5
 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
 
Wednesday, Dec. 6
 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
 
Thursday, Dec. 7
 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.                                  

The Conference Schedule follows:

Tuesday, Dec. 6 
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
 
Wednesday, Dec. 7
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
 
Thursday, Dec. 8
 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

More than 4,000 golf course superintendents, athletic field managers, lawn care operators, landscapers, groundskeepers, sod growers, and other professionals turfgrass managers are expected to attend. The Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show is sponsored by the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, The Ohio State University, Ohio State University Extension, and Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center (OARDC).

For detailed information about the conference or trade show, contact the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation at 888/683-3445, fax 740/452-2552, info@OhioTurfgrass.org or www.OhioTurfgrass.org.