countdown to tpi’s 5oth

anniversary in 2017 2000-2009

ATe 2006 Field Day at Winstead Turf Farms in Arlington, Tennessee, is set up and ready to welcome the busloads of attendees. 2006

Te 2006 TPI Midwinter Conference headed to Savannah, Georgia, with the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa headquarters for the February 14-17 event. Te theme was “Marketing (Getting the Customer) and Customer Service (Keeping the Customer).” Te pre- conference choices were the ITPF Golf Tournament fundraiser, a tour of historic Savannah, or a seminar titled “Te Art of Bringing the Customer Back.” Other educational sessions featured: agronomic issues, using recycled water, and a panel of members offering “Show & Tell” presentations on their operations. Te Awards presentations included: Innovator of the Year to Gary Dover, Bucyrus Equipment Co.; Distinguished Service to Louis and Ginger Brooking, Brookmeade Sod Farm, Doswell, VA; and Honorary Member to Dr. Wayne Hanna, University of Georgia. A post-conference tour visited the JCB factory.

Memphis, Tennessee, drew TPI’s Summer Convention and Field Day, July 18-21, with Te Peabody Memphis the headquarters site. Field Day Host was Winstead Turf

Farms, Arlington, TN, who also hosted a “Family Fun Fair” in the evening that closed with a surprise—a spectacular fireworks display.

Pre-convention choices were the ITPF Golf Tournament fundraiser and a tour of the Wimmer Cookbook Factory and Graceland (Elvis Presley’s home). Convention sessions included the Roundtable Forums and Show & Tell presentations. Warren Bell presented the President’s Leadership Award to Robert Davey, Evergreen Turf, Pakenham, Victoria, Australia. Arthur Milberger, Turfgrass America, Bay City, TX, was elected TPI 2006-2007 President. Post-convention tours visited Tunica Casino and Battle Catfish Farms.

TPI’s membership reached a record-breaking 1,176 members. Te largest issue of Turf News magazine (July/ August) was distributed with 128 pages of valuable information. February of 2006 marked the launch of TPI’s revised website, providing members access to all previous and current issues of Turf News and, starting with the 2006 events, all Conference and Convention photos. To accomplish research-funding objectives, TPI hired its first Fundraising Director, increasing its staff size to seven full- time employees.

2007

Dr. John Cisar poses in historic Savannah, Georgia, during the 2006 TPI Midwinter Conference City Tour.

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TPI headed “down under” to Gold Coast, Southport, Queensland, Australia, for the 2007 Midwinter Conference. Te Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa served as headquarters for the February 5-7 event. A special Field Day at Jimboomba Turf Co. Pty Ltd. in Acadia Ridge, Queensland, was presented by Turf Producers Australia (TPA). Educational highlights included Show & Tell presentations, an examination of measurement of turf strength, and “Artificial Turf—What Tey Don’t Want You to Know.” Attendees and all TPI members received TPI’s booklet Facts About Artificial Turf and Natural Grass.

TPI Turf News November/December 2016