The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) announced its faculty and curriculum for the 2007 School of Grounds Management, scheduled for Oct. 24-27 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. The School is held in conjunction with the GIE+EXPO and the Professional Landcare Network’s (PLANET) annual conference allowing attendees to choose from more than 60 educational sessions.
The School is targeted at in-house grounds managers overseeing an assortment of facilities ranging from universities to commercial facilities to municipalities, but the range of topics covered makes it relevant to all green industry professionals.
“With a faculty of green industry experts and a wide offering of courses ranging from LEED and conservation issues to management to horticulture, the school offers grounds superintendents and landscaping professionals a great opportunity to further their professional development,” said PGMS Education Chair Gene Pouly, CGM.
In addition to this dynamic curriculum, tuition also includes free admission to the newly aligned GIE+EXPO, providing attendees with full access to exhibits from 550 green industry suppliers as well as a 20-acre outdoor demonstration area adjacent to the indoor exhibit. The program will also offer countless networking opportunities with over 25,000 industry professionals in attendance.
Considered the premiere educational event for grounds management professionals, this year’s School of Grounds Management also includes a Pre-Conference Field Trip, Business Over Breakfast programs, and other social and educational opportunities. Participants will also receive a certificate of completion.
At the conclusion of the program on the evening of Saturday, October 27, PGMS will announce its 2007 Green Star Award recipients. The Green Star Awards program complements other national landscape award programs that recognize outstanding landscape design and construction by saluting the grounds superintendent and staff responsible for maintaining a well-manicured landscape year round.
Sites will be honored in 15 categories: small sites; residential landscapes; public works sites; shopping areas; hospitals or institutions; government buildings or complexes; cemeteries or memorial parks; industrial, commercial sites or office parks; parks, recreation areas or playgrounds; multiple sites under management companies; condominium or apartment complexes; hotel, motel or resorts; amusement parks, theme parks or zoos; athletic fields, professional fields or golf courses; and school grounds, university and college grounds, or urban university grounds.
If you're interested in pursuing the Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) designation, you're in luck. Developed and offered by PGMS, it is the premiere program of its type in the green industry. With CGM certification, your presentations, requests for funds and equipment and recommendations carry more weight. PGMS will be offering a reduced $100 testing fee for all of those who are prequalified for the CGM exam by Oct. 1 and registered for the PGMS School of Grounds Management. For further information on the CGM program, visit PGMS online at www.pgms.org/cgmcertification.htm.
Additional information, such as online registration, informational brochures, a full schedule of events, list of faculty, and hotel registration materials are available online at www.PGMS.org or by contacting PGMS at 410/332-0566.