(Boxed Lunch Provided)

Take behind-the-scenes tours of the grounds operations of Louisville’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. This year's double-header will reinforce what previous attendees already know - the School's Pre-Conference Field Trip is a great opportunity to:

• Pick Up Best Practices
• Think Outside the Box
• Wow Your Facility Managers with the New Ideas You'll Bring Back

This is a three-day showcase of more than 650 exhibitors. You are able to talk to suppliers and network with fellow landscape professionals.

Tracy DiSabato-Aust

One of America’s most entertaining and knowledgeable garden writers and professional speakers, Tracy DiSabato-Aust will help establish you as valuable go-to source when it comes to sustainable landscape design and maintenance. In her two-part presentation, “Sustainable Design of the Mixed Garden,” Tracy will rely on her experience at such locations as Longwood Gardens in the U.S., the Montreal Botanical Garden in Canada, the Kalmthout Arboretum in Belgium, and Knightshayes Court in England to give attendees a broad-ranged look at best practices from around the globe.

This interesting and informative lecture discusses the design fundamentals of border building using a wide palette of plant material. How do we effectively combine the plethora of woody and herbaceous plants available today? Design steps, color, texture, form, design principles of order, unity, and rhythm, garden art, maintenance of the mixed garden, as well as mixed garden designs, vignettes, and combinations will be highlighted. Learn from an artist and keen plantswomen about creating a gorgeous and environmentally sound mixed garden.

Warren S. Gorowitz, Ewing Irrigation

Draught, legislative restraints, and the push for green practices present a tremendous opportunity for grounds management professionals with a firm grasp on new technologies and concepts in irrigation water management. This course will review the latest water conservation trends happening throughout the country and will highlight the latest water management technology and how you can use it at your facility.

Tracy DiSabato-Aust

The second installment of this 2-part lecture discussing the design fundamentals of border building using a wide palette of plant material. How do we effectively combine the plethora of woody and herbaceous plants available today? Design steps, color, texture, form, design principles of order, unity, and rhythm, garden art, maintenance of the mixed garden, as well as mixed garden designs, vignettes, and combinations will be highlighted. Learn from an artist and keen plantswomen about creating a gorgeous and environmentally sound mixed garden.

Paul Swartz, Michigan State University

Learn innovative practices to preserve your site's most valuable resources. Paul Swartz, Michigan State University's campus arborist, leads a 6 person crew in charge of all phases of maintenance and preservation of trees on campus. This includes diagnosis, pruning, removals, insect and disease control, cultural practices, fertilization, hazard tree identification, and tree protection in construction zones. MSU is a leader in the country for this type of innovative practice.

Formed in 1975 by a group of neighborhood friends, 38 Special, which has earned the reputation of being one of the hardest working bands in the USA, is still playing more than 100 shows per year. And at every one of them, thousands of audience members are completely blindsided by the power and muscle of the band's performance. Among 38 Special's best-known songs are No. 1 Billboard hits "Caught Up In You," "If I'd Been the One" and "Second Chance." Other hit singles include "Hold on Loosely" and "Back Where You Belong."

Opening the show will be Briggs & Stratton's house band, The Briggs Bluesbusters, playing covers by soul and blues-based rock artists as well as the company anthem "Briggs & Stratton Man."

(Continental Breakfast will be served)

The PGMS Annual Business Meeting is held in conjunction with the Annual Conference. This enables as many members as possible a chance to attend. Included in the Annual Business Meeting are the following:

• The Election of Officers
• Official reporting of the Society's business, fresh from the Fall Board Meeting
• Branch Reports
• The chance to ask questions of the officers and the board members.

This is a three-day showcase of more than 650 exhibitors. You are able to talk to suppliers and network with fellow landscape professionals.

Melody Templeton

Just as "sustainability" is an important issue in the green industry, work relationships must be sustainable too. In this interactive session we'll discuss some simple tools for assessing performance and potential of current employees. Participants will also walk away with a simple barometer to measure the relative "health" of their teams. NO, we can't "fix" that problem employee or your grumpy boss, but we can help you find some ways to get more done in a better work environment.

Bradley Rowe, Michigan State University

You need information on maintening green roofs and you need it from the best. Look no further, Michigan State University professor Bradley Rowe is one of the foremost experts on this topic. A member of Michigan State University's Green Roof Research Program, Rowe recently recieved the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities’ (GRHC) Award of Excellence for his for his outstanding contribution to both the establishment and development of leading-edge green roof research.

Learn about the various types of green roofs, how they are constructed, what plant species are suitable, how green roofs impact the environment, and how all of these factors influence ongoing maintenance. In addition, learn about potential business opportunities for green industry members as well as existing barriers to their acceptance of green roofs. Information on green roof research at MSU can be found at www.hrt.msu.edu/greenroof.

Len Brzozowsk, Xavier Leadership Center

Look around. The speed at which the world is spinning doesn't seem likely to decrease any time soon. Change is all around us. Yet change is resisted and feared by nearly everyone because it brings with it insecurity, risk, extra work, and the uncertainty that the new order if things will be better that what was the status quo. As managers, we must develop the skills to help our teams become not only more comfortable with the idea of change, but to be at its leading edge.

Melody Templeton

More and more managers are being called upon to coordinate large-scale projects - without any project management training.

In this session, we'll identify the knowledge areas and skills that make projects successful as well as define some basic terms used by Project Managers around the world. We'll learn how to apply the universal 5-stage project management model and how to develop a project plan and get it started in the right direction. We'll answer questions like: Just how do you define a project, What are the most important constraints, What are some typical problems project managers encounter and, most importantly, Where can I get some HELP when my project is in trouble? Finally we'll apply some of the project management skills we've discussed to a Grounds Management case.

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Tamme Quinn Grzebyk

Some behavioral attributes are 'hard-wired' within each of us. The distinct differences that exist among people, when nSome behavioral attributes are 'hard-wired' within each of us. The distinct differences that exist among people, when not understood, can be a source of frustration, team dysfunction, and communication break-down. This program will enable you to understand personality trait differences and to adapt your behaviors in ways that dramatically increase the quality of many forms of human interaction.

Understanding these things about yourself and others can lead to numerous insights that can allow you to better understand and manage various interpersonal relationships toward greater productivity and satisfaction.

Len Brzozowsk

Delivering WOW customer service is not only about having efficient systems and processes. It requires a deliberate mental attitude among your team members. The most effective organizations we know that deliver great service like Zappos.com, Quicken Loans, Disney, Southwest Airlines and others have what we call a "thick" culture. This program will look at how such organizations create, implement, and reinforce powerful cultures.

Their unique ability to connect with American audiences has been the signature of Lonestar. "I'm Already There" has become a theme song for men and women in the military and their families. And, anyone who has ever been led by his or her heart can be mesmerized by "Amazed," which marked the group's transition from a "country" band to a group of musicians who appeal to music lovers of all genres. Lonestar still considers themselves a country band first and foremost, but they have become so much more.

Up-and-comer Candy Coburn will open the show with what has been called her "Southern Soul Rockin Country" sound. If you like southern rock, rock 'n' roll, R&B or Gospel you are sure to hear something you like in one of Candy Coburn's live shows!

This is a three-day showcase of more than 650 exhibitors. You are able to talk to suppliers and network with fellow landscape professionals.

Tom Flood, Elon University

Sustainability. Its a topic that is inescapable. Its a topic that is defining the profession. Tom Flood oversees the Grounds Management Course at the APPA Institute for Facilities Management including a new course about sustainable grounds practices. Take the course here first.
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Denny Baker and Louis Foster, Cincinnati State Tech and Community College

Managing sidewalks and sidewalk crews during a snow and ice event can be extremely challenging for the grounds maintenance manager. Heavy pedestrian traffic and the need for constant, safe access to key areas demands strong and efficient management of sidewalk crews, materials, and equipment.
Topics of discussion will include:

• Managing a crew: motivating people to do sidewalks
• Sidewalk equipment and deicing/anti-icing materials in the sidewalk application
• Storm response and prioritizing what to do first
• Challenges: thaw/refreeze, steps, heavy foot traffic areas, walking bridges…

Monica Higgins, CGM

For over 27 years grounds managers world wide have obtained certification through the PGMS Certification Program for Grounds Managers. In today's competitive world certification has been a valuable resource for those seeking positions as managers in the green industry. This session describes the how's and whys of becoming a certified grounds manager are important. It also details and shows how one who wishes to become a CGM may do so..
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Patrick Loaney

In this session, we will explore current trends and emerging technologies in the turf grass maintenance industry. We will look at some of the following issues: Water Management, Productivity vs. Cost Savings, Environment, Energy, Alternative Fuels, Sustainability and Health & Safety.
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