EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S TURF 2019 Wrap-Up and 2020 Preview
Casey Reynolds, PhD
It’s hard to imagine but 2019 is almost behind us. I hope everyone is preparing for year-end and holiday celebrations around the world. As I look back on 2019, it’s easy to understand why it flew by so fast. Someone once told me that many times in life the days are long, but the years are fast. Tat can certainly be said for career, parenthood, or other things that we often get so wrapped up in and I’m thankful to have these opportunities and try to make the most of them. Having said that, let’s take a quick look back at what’s been going on this year and how we will continue to move forward in 2020.
We laid out our plan for 2019 at the 2018 Fall Board Meeting in Minneapolis, MN, and it’s hard to capture it all here. A few 2019 highlights though could include: two conferences that attracted over 1,000 attendees, a new website and membership database, several new member-only publications, a public relations campaign for natural grass, attendance and speaking at eighteen turfgrass conferences or events, and working with the U.S. Federal Government on issues affecting sod producers with regard to transportation, crop insurance, and herbicide registration. We also picked up fifty-five new or returning members. Of course, none of this could have been done without the support of our members, the hard work of our staff and contractors, and the vision of the TPI Board of Trustees.
Moving forward into 2020, we are just coming off the heels of our 2019 Fall Board Meeting in October in Orlando, FL, where we discussed and set the budget, plans, and initiatives for 2020. Next year we’ll start off with a bang at the International Education Conference & Field Day at the always popular Disney sites. We will continue to work on promoting natural grass through social media and new publications, and we also will likely enter new areas to reach different audiences with our message. One way we’ll try to reach the consumer audience will include renovating the TLI website with homeowner-friendly information on the value and
environmental benefits of natural grass. We will continue to work on trucking regulations for sod haulers and be sure to check out pages 90-92 for a summary of the current status on this topic.
I also will personally be attending sod producer conferences in the U.S., Australia, and Europe in 2020 to support our members worldwide, attract new members, and continue to ask what we can be doing to serve our members better. As always, if you have ideas or issues that pertain to you locally, please reach out to me at any time to see what we can do to help. Tat’s what we’re here for, and we are always happy to do it. I hope to see you in Orlando in February. Be sure to check out our website for all the details on registration, speakers, field day, and more. Take care, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays. We wish you and your families, farms and businesses all the best in 2020 and beyond.
Cheers,
As always, if you have ideas or issues that pertain to you locally, please reach out to me at any time to see what we can do to help.
That’s what we’re here for, and we are always happy to do it.
Please follow us on Twitter! 4
Turfgrass Producers International: @TPITurfTalk The Lawn Institute: @TLIhealthylawns
TPI Turf News November/December 2019
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