CONFERENCE & FIELD DAY RECAP
Meetings are always magical in Orlando, with a high- intensity vibe that touches all attendees like a sprinkling of fairy dust. Smiles were broad and infectious as Turfgrass Producers International members arrived for the International Education Conference & Field Day held at the spacious Marriott Orlando World Center February 4-8, 2024. Te facility is Conference-friendly, with ample open space set up for socializing in the registration area and meeting rooms for education sessions and special events conveniently clustered nearby. Handshakes and hugs added to the buzz of conversation that started swelling as folks checked in at the registration area and continued late into the evening and throughout the Conference. Gathering to take part in this event were over 750 TPI members and guests, representing natural grass producers from farms across 39 states of the United States, and from nine other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, and Australia. With many turfgrass producers representing family-owned businesses and the extra appeal of Orlando’s theme parks beaconing, the 2024 Conference was a multi-generational event, often with two or three generations of a family among the attendees.
As an international association, TPI Conferences are truly global events, bringing another dimension to the networking taking place. Tat networking was on display as turfgrass producers engaged with suppliers, connected with long-time friends—and made new ones—while attending two days of outstanding education programs; checking out the exhibits within the Solutions Showcase, and observing equipment in action during the Field Day. Meeting and greeting continued as they enjoyed the many social functions from receptions to the Carnival Royale. Once again, the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with high praise for the caliber of the education, the inspirational presentations, and the great ideas shared by their peers during the Innovative Series. Comments shared included Awesome! Inspiring! Absolutely worthwhile!
Tis special section of Turf News, compiled by Steve and Suz Trusty, captures many highlights of the Conference.
Share it with all your team via the online version. To view even more conference photos, visit TPI on Facebook @ TurfgrassProducersInternational.
TPI Annual Business Meeting President Diane Mischel called the meeting to order and welcomed attendees. She reported that the association remained strong through 2023 and early 2024. She noted the Board will be developing a strategic plan to guide future development. Secretary-Treasurer Larry LeMay reported that both TPI and Te Lawn Institute (TLI) are on solid financial footing and thanked members for their continuing support. TPI Executive Director Casey Reynolds, PhD, provided an overview of TPI and TLI initiatives, including his ongoing work in regulatory affairs and the promotion of natural grass, as he continues to collaborate with the TPI Board of Trustees to serve the association’s members even more effectively. Te 2024 TPI officers and Board of Trustee members began their year of service on January 1, 2024. Te slate of officers and trustees for 2025 was presented and elected unanimously. Larry LeMay of A-G Sod Farms moves up to Vice President in 2025 and will automatically rotate to TPI President in 2026. Stepping up as 2025 Secretary-Treasurer is Wade Wilbur of the Sod Shop. Joining the 2025 Board of Trustees to serve three-year terms are Sarah Nolte of Blue Grass Enterprises, Justin Tomas of Prime Sod, and Kurt Vanclief of Willowlee Sod Farms. Tey will assume their duties on January 1, 2025. Conference photos by BE Productions and Steve and Suz Trusty.
TPI Executive Director Dr. Casey Reynolds provided an overview of association initiatives in his report during the TPI Annual Meeting.
Once again many TPI Past Presidents demonstrated their ongoing support for the association with their attendance at the Conference. Pictured here: (from left to right) Jimmy Fox, Linda Pittillo Bradley, Steve Griffen, Bob Weerts, Eric Heuver, Bob McCurdy, Dave Dymond, Claus Zander, Warren Bell, Bobby Winstead, David Doguet, Hank Kerfoot, and Ike Tomas. And there were more—some of those Past Presidents attending the Conference were not available when this photo was taken.
TPI Turf News May/June 2024 23
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