Te 1997 TPI Midwinter Conference was held February 5-7, at the Savannah Marriott Hotel, Savannah, GA. A pre-conference tour visited “Historic Savannah.” Te long- established practice of making pre-conference committee meetings open to the members was acknowledged and promoted. A business efficiency seminar targeted efficiency in all aspects of a company: strategy; business management and financial decisions; people; and time management. Two post-conference tours were offered; one to Rapid Turf and a special study tour of Charleston, SC.

TPI’s 1997 Summer Convention and Field Day was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Minneapolis, MN, July 17- 19. Te Field Day Host was Haley’s Sod, North Branch, MN. Pre-convention tours visited the Toro Corporation and Bailey Nurseries. Te area turf farms that sponsored pre-convention tours included: Peterson Sod, Hogdal Turf, A&L Superior Sod and Hentges Farms. Turfco Mfg. sponsored part of the pre-convention river cruise and gave a tour of their manufacturing facility. Lino Lakes Landscaping provided a tour of their farm and equipment. David Doguet, Bladerunner Farms, Inc., Austin, TX, was elected TPI 1997-1998 President. A major education session focused on “Immigration Law” and “INS Regulations.”

In 1997, the association reached its 30th anniversary. A new membership category was added to accommodate retired members. Te association launched a dual website: TPI and the Turf Resource Center. A new ad campaign highlighted the values of turfgrass sod for either “instant beauty,” “instant results,” or “instant play.” ITPF launched the "Your '2-Cents' Worth” campaign, seeking a 2-cent donation for every pallet of sod sold.

1998

TPI’s 1998 Midwinter Conference was held at Te Westin Maui Hotel, Kaanappali Beach, Maui, Hawaii, February 11-13. It drew 605 attendees. Optional activities included a “Sugar Cane Train” trip and a post-conference Ioa Valley Heritage Gardens and tropical plantation tour. Te education sessions and the pre-conference seminar focused on labor relations and how to “Train, Retain and Motivate” the labor force.

Te Sheridan Premier at Tysons Corner, VA, was the site of TPI’s Summer Convention and Field Days held July 16-18. A pre-convention “Day on the Hill” provided the opportunity for interaction with elected federal officials in Washington, D.C. Tirty TPI members participated in 54 scheduled appointments and numerous “drop-in” meetings. Ben Copeland, Patten Seed Co./Super Sod, Lakeland, GA, was elected 1998-1999 TPI President. TPI Legal Counsel Monte Lake led a panel presentation that provided examples of dealing with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigations. It was offered in response to members’ concerns about the EPA’s implementation of laws. Te Field

TPI Turf News September/October 2016 1999

TPI members take part in the Washington D.C. “Day on the Hill,” held on July 14, 1998.

TPI’s 1999 Midwinter Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Tampa, FL, February 3-5. Te theme was “Team Building,” focused on developing communication skills for effective interaction. Te seminar tied into that, centering on family relationships in the context of the turf farm business lifecycle. A special workshop covered “Te Use of PowerPoint.” Optional post-conference tours were offered to Bush Gardens or the Schroeder Manatee Ranch.

Te Holiday Inn South in East Lansing, MI, was the hotel site for TPI’s 1999 Summer Convention and Field Day held July 20-23. Optional events were a Michigan State

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Attendees enjoy great weather during TPI’s 1998 Midwinter Conference in Maui, Hawaii.

Day Host was Summit Hall Turf Farm, Poolesville, MD. Te optional post-convention events included the University of Maryland’s Turfgrass Research Field Day and a tour of Redskins Park.

TPI’s membership exceeded 1,000 in 1998. Te organization restructured its committee system, adding new committees, such as “Technology,” that would better prepare the association and its members for the 21st century. Te Lawn Institute (TLI) merged with the Turf Resource Center. TPI’s Sixth Study Tour visited New Zealand and Australia.