Cover: Marketing Tips & Techniques

TURF NEWS Vol. 40 No. 1 January/February 2016

Published by: Turfgrass Producers International 2 East Main St. East Dundee, IL 60118 U.S. & Canada Tel: 800-405-8873 International Tel: 1-847-649-5555 Fax: 847-649-5678 Email: info@TurfGrassSod.org Website: www.TurfGrassSod.org

TPI Contact Information Executive Director Melanie Stanton mstanton@TurfGrassSod.org

Co-Editors Steve & Suz Trusty stevetrusty@TurfGrassSod.org suztrusty@TurfGrassSod.org

Art Director Anastasia Athans aathans@TurfGrassSod.org

Advertising Sales Anne Footle afootle@TurfGrassSod.org

Public Relations Update Jim Novak jnovak@TurfGrassSod.org

Industry Calendar Geri Hannah ghannah@TurfGrassSod.org

Director of Meetings Sandy Reynolds meetings@TurfGrassSod.org

Meetings Manager Daniel Morris Daniel@yournextmeeting.com

Editorial Advisors John Cisar, Ph.D. (warm-season grasses) cisarturfdoc@gmail.com

Brian Horgan, Ph.D. University of Minnesota (cool-season grasses) bphorgan@umn.edu

Turf News is published bi-monthly (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December) with a $25 subscription fee from Membership dues, by Turfgrass Producers International 2 East Main Street, East Dundee, IL 60118 Periodical postage paid at Jefferson City, MO

POSTMASTER Please send address changes to Turf News 2 East Main Street, East Dundee, IL 60118 USPS no. 003 255; ISSN 0899-417K Canadian Post: Publications agreement No. 1479148

FEATURE ARTICLES FOCUS: Marketing

11Focus—Marketing Tips and Techniques

Tips on strategies in developing your marketing and techniques for optimum implementation. Includes benefits only for TPI Members.

17 Manderley Turf Sods Bridge for Picnic Manderley Turf Products will be donating sod for a Picnic on the Bridge.

17STMA Mowing Patterns Contest Winner Named Blake Anderson is the winner of the third annual “Mowing Patterns Contest” sponsored by STMA.

19All Seasons Turf Grass a Welcoming Host for the TPI Field Day Get to know your hosts for the Field Day this February in Houston.

T18OPEI’s TurfMutt Appears on Lucky Dog TV Show T22 Infographics urfMutt is a real live superhero who serves as the “spokesdog” for OPEI on a mission to educate viewers.

he steps involved in creating those attention-grabbing combinations of words and graphics. J27Crumb Rubber—Questions In Search of Answers

im Novak digs deeper to scoop up the latest information on this controversial topic.

32Timely Topics that Impact Sod Producers Focus on some governmental regulations and how they may affect your business.

34Industry Leader Profiles—Warren Bell and Biograss Sod Farms Always Serving—Always Learning

T42The Pirating of Licensed and Certified Grass

here is a cost to the entire industry when some circumvent the ethical handling of the turfgrasses others have spent years and dollars in developing and keeping their stands pure.

47 The Green Industry and Tom Delaney Get better acquainted with an individual who has spent years helping the green industry grow.

I51What’s New & Different at the Conference?

t’s not just another TPI International Education Conference & Field Day. Anne Footle brings you up-to-date on new events and opportunities in Houston.

I56 Biz Management—Being Liked is Serious Business

PLUS TPI News ......................................................6 TURF Industry News ................................. 59

DEPARTMENTS President’s TURF .........................................2 Executive Director’s TURF .......................... 4 Welcome New & Reinstated Members ..... 63

TPI TURF NEWS • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

t is important to learn what you need to know to maximize your exposure on social media and how to handle potential negative posts.

BONUS The Lawn Institute News .............................8 TLI Helpful Hints Pass-Along ..................... 9 TPI Award Winners ................................... 31 Classified Ads ............................................. 62 Advertisers Index .......................................63 TURF Industry Calendar ..........................64

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