1994

Te Wyndham Paradise Valley Resort in Scottsdale, AZ was the site of the 1994 Midwinter Conference, January 20-22. Te pre-conference marketing seminar used a question and answer format for company analysis and definition of goals. Education sessions focused on helping members produce better sod; manage their office; and sell their product. Tour sites were Foothills Club West, a completely sodded golf course, and A-G Turf Farms. A special attendee was Wiley Miner, who was one of the five founders and the 1969-1970 President of ASPA, as owner of Princeton Sod Farms, Cranbury, NJ. He had done the initial work, and then had formed a partnership with Woodrow Wilson of Eastside Nursery, Groveport, OH, to develop the initial Princeton sod harvester. Tose two shared memories with other long-time members. Executive Director Doug Fender was recognized for his ten years of service.

Tis line-up of harvesters is introduced to attendees of TPI’s 1994 Summer Field Day at Sodco, Inc. in Slocum, RI.

1995

Te TPI Midwinter Conference was held at the Hilton Hotel in Disney World, Orlando, FL, February 8-10. Te pre-conference seminar was “Farm Labor Laws” which tied into one of the education sessions. Other sessions focused on agronomics, business issues, marketing, lobbying efforts and included the popular “Show & Tell.” Keynote speaker, Dr. James B Beard, addressed “potential influences” and their affect on future developments in the turfgrass industry. A post-conference tour gave participants a backstage look at the Disney horticultural facilities and included a presentation on their turf management philosophies and practices.

During TPI’s 1994 Summer Convention in Newport, RI, this panel announced a new PR Program was under construction. (From left to right: Doug Fender, Bryan Wood, Michelle Williams and Lisa Kallal, a TPI staff member)

Te 1994 Summer Convention and Field Days were held at the Newport Islander Doubletree Hotel, Newport, RI, July 27-29. Field Day Host was Sodco, Inc. Slocum, RI. Louis Brooking, Jr. was elected 1994-1995 President. Tour sites included: the University of Rhode Island Agricultural Experiment Station, Tuckahoe Turf Farms and Washington County Turf Farms. During the tour, the Strath-Ayr sod washing machine was demonstrated.

In 1994, in response to ASPA’s growing international membership and visibility, ASPA changed its name to Turfgrass Producers International (TPI). Te vote to do so was unanimously approved in the 27th annual business meeting held during the Summer Convention. Te association’s membership included 932 companies within the U.S. and Canada, and in 33 additional countries worldwide. Te membership voted to implement a major Turfgrass Public Education Program. Te TPI staff increased to four full-time employees. TPI’s Fifth Study Tour visited Chile and Argentina.

TPI Turf News September/October 2016

Te Red Lion Inn in Omaha, NE, was the site of TPI’s 1995 Summer Convention and Field Day, July 26- 29. Field Day Host was Todd Valley Farms. Douglas Barberry, Aldino Sod Farms, Inc., Churchville, MD, was elected TPI 1995-1996 President. A pre-convention tour visited the Nebraska Sod Company Farm, Stock Seed Farms, the City of Lincoln landfill site, Summit Seed and United Seed. Information on the Nebraska Certified Premium Landscape Quality Program was shared during

Attendees check out the turf during the Buffalograss tour at TPI’s 1995 Summer Convention and Field Days in Omaha, NE.

the tour. In addition, two tours were incorporated into the convention schedule: the University of Nebraska’s test facility in Mead, NE, and the Valmont Irrigation manufacturing plant in Valley, NE.

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