IN THIS ISSUE

FEATURE ARTICLES FOCUS: Marketing Tips & Techniques

Cover: Looking Back at 50 years of Turf Production Design: Jim Novak

TURF NEWS Vol. 41 No. 1 January/February 2017

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: 1-847-649-5678 Email: info@TurfGrassSod.org Website: www.TurfGrassSod.org

TPI Contact Information Interim Executive Director Sandy Reynolds sreynolds@TurfGrassSod.org

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

Art Director Jane Tomlinson jane@inkumbrella.com

Advertising Sales Geri Hannah ghannah@TurfGrassSod.org

Communications Manager Jim Novak jnovak@TurfGrassSod.org

Industry Calendar Geri Hannah ghannah@TurfGrassSod.org

Director of Meetings Sandy Reynolds sreynolds@TurfGrassSod.org

Meetings Manager Daniel Morris Meetings@TurfGrassSod.org

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

14 Growing Your Business with Effective Marketing Explore the opportunities and fine-tune your marketing strategy.

15 How to Turn Your People into Portals of Profit Help your employees build their brands and turn them loose as deputized ambassadors.

16 The Single Biggest Email Etiquette Mistake You Can Make Tere are vital reasons to make sure the contact’s name is spelled correctly.

17 Vulnerability is Money in the Bank Read how becoming vulnerable can help sales and job security.

19 8 Ways to Overcome Social Discomfort at Networking Events Improve your networking skills for better marketing.

22 50th Anniversary Celebration Continues—2010 to the Present We continue to celebrate the past Fabulous 50 Years of TPI with this look at 2010 through 2016.

30 For Arthur J. Milberger—It All Starts With Grass We continue to follow-up on those that have helped TPI reach its 50th.

38 TPI Field Day Host SMR Farms—Growing Strong Since 1922 A preview of some of the things to look for at TPI’s 2017 Field Day.

43 Special Events Will Make TPI’s 50th Anniversary Celebration Fabulous! Help TPI celebrate 50 years of assisting turfgrass producers in growing their businesses.

46 Shared Memories and Great Advice Four former board members share thoughts on what they’ve gleaned from their involvement in TPI.

50 Scanning the Turfgrass Research Journals Dr. John Cisar scans the journals for updates on turfgrass research.

54 The History of NTEP Te story behind the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program.

56 STMA Names Award Winners Te Sports Turf Managers Association annually recognizes the top fields and best mowing pattern.

PLUS

TPI News………………………................…6 Turf Industry News.........................……….59 DEPARTMENTS

President's Turf…...…...................…………2 Executive Director's Turf.….........................4 Welcome New & Returning Members…..13 Te Lawn Institute News……....…........…..8

TPI Turf News January/February 2017 BONUS

TLI Helpful Hints Pass-Along…...…......9 Important Water Management Points....10 Water Conservation Checklist................11 2017 ITRC Conference Information......12 Classified Ads...........................................62 Advertisers Index.....................................63 Turf Industry Calendar...........................64

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