Looking to Louisville in the Fall?

Grounds managers and professional crew members looking to increase their knowledge base, meet other professionals in the field, see the latest industry products and enjoy some camaraderie should look no further than the Professional Grounds Management Society’s (PGMS) School of Grounds Management taking place Oct. 22-25 in Louisville, Ky. As part of the annual GIE+EXPO, PGMS has put together a dynamic schedule of education sessions and events that is sure to appeal to all of your wants and needs.

The exciting schedule of events starts Wednesday, Oct. 22 and doesn’t conclude until the morning of Saturday, Oct. 25, giving you the biggest bang for your buck. We kick it all off with a pre-conference field trip on Wednesday to the historic Cave Hill Cemetery. This tour will take you behind the scenes of this garden cemetery that became the repository of symbols of success in the form of true monumental art. The landscape gardeners embellished the natural setting with exotic trees and shrubs while the marble sculptors and granite fabricators erected elaborate memorials to individuals and families. Cave Hill has been blessed by a succession of competent and innovative landscape gardeners, and Louisville has been a regional center for monument makers. The result is a rural, garden-style cemetery which has always been considered a model to emulate. Attendees will be given a personal look into the grounds practices that go into maintaining such an important landmark … an invaluable opportunity to learn from your fellow professionals!

Later that evening, grounds professionals from all across the country will meet, mingle and network at the PGMS Welcoming Reception. There, attendees are given the opportunity to interact with other professionals who share the same interests and challenges as they do. This informal gathering allows attendees the personal chance to ask questions of their peers, get to know each other and share some relaxation time. Past attendees have boasted this was one of the most valuable events because of the abundance of networking opportunities available.

Would you like some education with your orange juice? On Thursday and Saturday mornings, PGMS will host “speaker breakfasts,” just the jumpstart you need to get your day going. These educational sessions will feature highly sought-after guest speakers and will focus on topics such as developing a dedicated and inspiring work force, young tree pruning and the importance of “servicescape” on campuses. Read more details on these at http://pgms.org/2014-school-schedule/.

At the Kentucky Exposition Center, busy days packed with events await you. PGMS is offering 10 different education sessions throughout the day Thursday and Friday. Make sure you allow for down time to visit with the hundreds of vendors showcasing the latest products and demo the newest equipment available. PGMS highly recommends you check out the industry leaders who are proud PGMS Partners in Professionalism including: Husqvarna, John Deere, The Toro Company, Bartlett Tree Experts, Kawasaki, Bailey Nurseries, Bayer CropScience LP, Cutting Edge, Davey Tree, EarthPlanter, Hunter Industries, Proven Winners, STIHL Inc., Wright Manufacturing, Inc., Core Outdoor Power, ECHO Incorporated, Jacks Small Engines, and Live Roof, LLC. While cruising the show floor, make sure to stop by the PGMS Booth at 1024 to see what’s new and chat with PGMS staff and board members.

PGMS caps it all off Friday night with their Awards and Installation Dinner where we come to together to celebrate with our peers, announce the 2014 Green Star Award Winners, induct the 2014-2015 slate of officers and reveal the winners of several PGMS professional awards.

All of the events described above are available only exclusively through PGMS registration. With several registration options, we know you will find one that best fits your needs and wants.

The schedule is set and the events are planned…now all we need to make it complete is YOU. Details and registration are available at http://pgms.org/2014schoolofgroundsmanagement/. See you in Louisville!