Become A Member

Established in 1911, the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization dedicated to serving and advancing managers of grounds for all specialities and disciplines. The ultimate goal of PGMS is to place its members on the cutting edge of leadership in the Green Industry by developing techniques and management skills to assure an outstanding grounds management program for their respective organization, agency, department, firm or employer and to upgrade the level of the profession.

Benefits of Membership

Why Belong?

Categories of Membership

Membership Application

Become A Member > Benefits of Membership

The benefits of PGMS Membership include:

  • Annual Conference and Green Industry Expo (GIE) - A partner in the industry's most dynamic Green Industry Exposition, PGMS conducts its acclaimed annual education conference with the GIE. This yearly forum brings together grounds managers, educators and suppliers for the sharing of knowledge and ideas. PGMS members receive a reduced registration fee.
  • Forum Newsletter - The bi-monthly publication of PGMS, the Forum helps keep members current on the affairs of the Society and provides helpful management and technical information and techniques.
  • Membership Directory - Distributed each summer this publication lists the names and addresses of all PGMS members alphabetically as well as by state. It's a great resource for maximizing the networking value of membership.
  • Research and Surveys - Members receive a complimentary copy of the annual salary and benefits survey in addition to complimentary of discounted purchase fees for other statistical surveys conducted by PGMS.
  • Awards - PGMS and Landscape Management magazine co-sponsor the annual Green Star Awards program in recognition of excellence in grounds management. PGMS members receive a substantially discounted submission fee opportunity.
  • Scholarships - Each year the PGMS scholarship committee awards monetary scholarships to students in horticulture or related fields. Click here to read more!
  • Education Manuals - PGMS members receive a complimentary copy of three outstanding tools: Grounds Maintenance Estimating Guidelines, Grounds Management Guidelines and Grounds Management Forms & Job Descriptions Guide as well as a $50 discount off the purchase of the green industry's acclaimed Operational Guidelines for Grounds Management.
  • Certified Grounds Manager - Step up and elevate your professional stature. Grounds managers who want to stand out and be recognized proudly include the "CGM" designation as an addendum to your name.
  • Local Branches - Many PGMS members have banded together to organize local branches for the purposes of providing easily accessible programs and networks. See more information on branches.

Become A Member > Why Belong?

What better way to explain why you should be a member of PGMS than to ask another member?

"Being a member of PGMS offered me the opportunity to network with colleagues sharing information which has helped me improve our grounds management program. I've built long-lasting relationships and friendships and have been afforded tremendous opportunities to lead."

Chris Fay
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Greensboro, N.C.

"From the opportunities given me to develop leadership skills, to the national and local networking I've enjoyed, PGMS membership has been a wonderful investment in my career. From the outstanding annual conference and Green Industry Expo to the professional certification program, it's an investment that keeps paying super dividends."

George Van Haasteren, CGM
Dwight Englewood School
Englewood, N.J.

"PGMS membership provides me a chance to serve, to give back to a profession that has given me a great livelihood!"

Kevin O'Donnell
Villanova University
Philadelphia, Pa.

"I joined PGMS to better my knowledge of the Green Industry, to network with my peers, to find ways of working smarter not harder, to become a leader within my company and within my industry, to become more efficient at my job while making my employees more efficient at theirs and to increase my value in my career."

Matthew Vehr
Moeller's Nurseries
Cincinnati, Ohio

Become A Member > Categories of Membership

Active Member - Those who manage or perform horticultural, landscape management or landscape design functions in maintaining grounds for residential, commercial, institutional, athletic, recreational, and/or educational sites.

From October 1 to the end of December, dues are $175 and membership will run for the rest of this year and all of 2008.

Affiliate Member - Employees of active members. Active members or agencies may endorse affiliate members when paying membership with one agency/organization check. Annual Dues: $125

Supplier Member - Commercial organizations wishing to work more closely with PGMS. Such members shall include equipment manufacturers and suppliers and plant materials growers and suppliers. Supplier members are eligible to become PGMS Partners in Education. This enhanced membership program provides an opportunity for leading suppliers to further demonstrate their commitment to grounds professionals. Contact PGMS for further details. Annual Dues: $400

Branch Local Supplier - Same as Active Membership, the marketing is limited to a 250 mile radius.

Partners in Professionalism - Enhanced marketing program for supplier members. Click here for details.

Student - Individuals currently enrolled in colleges, universities, trade schools, or other institutions recognized by PGMS and curriculums verified by a duly authorized instructor of said institution. Annual Dues: $35

Educator/Researcher - Teachers, researchers, county agents, professors or any individual employed full time as an instructor in the field of grounds management or a closely related academic field. Annual Dues: $35

Become A Member NOW! > CLICK HERE to apply online at our secure store or CLICK HERE in order to print the application out and fax or mail it to PGMS.