PGMS Member Area > PGMS Knowledge Center

September-October, 2002

Several years ago, I spent six years working for Marriott Resorts on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, 1,200 miles away from the continental United States. In those six years I only missed ONE PGMS Annual Conference, and that was because I was on a heliconia-hunting expedition in the rainforests of Trinidad with the man who would later write the book on heliconias for the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. Fred Berry.

In other words, it took something incredibly special in order for me to miss a conference, even though I often had to travel 1,500 miles or more in order to attend (and one year I even went through a 60-degree temperature change—bbbrrr!).

I did it because I find tremendous value in attending the conference, and I look forward to it every year. I find that the conference allows me to see other operations in action, gives me a tremendous opportunity to network with extremely knowledgeable professionals in the industry, keeps me abreast of the latest technological advances both in horticultural research and in product development, and gives me a chance to see and “demo” the latest equipment in the industry.

It has also enabled me to grow professionally through the management training, and shown me the high levels of expertise displayed in the PGMS Green Star Award-winning landscapes. The conference gives me the insights and opportunities to re-charge my own batteries in the company of other professional colleagues. All this was extremely important to someone who only made it back “stateside” once a year—it got me off “The Rock.” Even “paradise” can get old once you realize that it’s only twelve miles long and three miles wide!

How big is the “rut” of YOUR daily work life? Wouldn’t it be nice to get out of it for a while and see and experience and learn new things? Wouldn’t the latest technique or technology help YOU professionally? Wouldn’t it be great to see and hear how others in the profession handle the same problems that YOU face? Wouldn’t it be great to stimulate yourself and “re-charge your batteries” by getting away from your property for a few days and hearing some really motivational speakers? Wouldn’t that help you go back and re-charge and motivate your own employees? Wouldn’t it be fantastic to be able to “road-test” that new piece of equipment that you’ve seen in the magazines but that your dealer doesn’t yet have in stock? All that and MORE is available to you at the Annual Conference!

Simply put, the Annual Conference is one of your greatest benefits as a member of PGMS. Take advantage of it! Let’s take a look at how you can do just that. For those members who have to seek approval from superiors in order to make such a trip, the following “talking points” should help you make your case that the benefits more than justify the expense involved. Don’t forget that most companies already have funds budgeted for employee training and education—it may be just a case of going in and making your case for your share of them! For those members who don’t have to get approval, what follows is why you don’t want to miss out on another conference ever again!

First of all, the educational opportunities are second to none. From the pre-conference tour, the networking functions, the Green Industry Expo, and the Outdoor Equipment Demo to the educational sessions, the Awards Banquet and the keynote motivational speaker, there is no way that you won’t come away with something that’s going to directly impact your operation in a positive way. That knowledge is going to be able to save your company time AND money!

To quote PGMS Past-President George Van Haasteren, “You obtain the latest information through the educational sessions, and at the Business Over Breakfasts you gain information that allows you to trouble-shoot problems that we ALL have in common.”

Mike Loftus from the University of Delaware says, “The educational sessions are an excellent way to stay up-to-date on technical information and the interaction with others during the week provides a glimpse of how the rest of the world does it.” Joe Jackson, past Green Star Award-winner from Duke University says, “The wonderful upclose and personal tours are highly informative, enlightening and insightful.” Past pre-conference tours have included Cypress Gardens, Busch Gardens, baseball fields (Legend’s Field and Camden Yards), various NFL stadiums and their fields, the Cincinnati Zoo, Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum and this year’s venue, the Gaylord Opryland Resort (a horticultural marvel in its own right).

Seeing how fellow professionals maintain these sites truly is a wonderful educational experience. You are able to see and hear from the managers themselves how they run their operations and how they overcome some of the same obstacles that you face in your own operation. You are also exposed to new plant materials and see them used in ways that you may not have yet discovered. During my time in the islands I “discovered” a fantastic flowering tropical tree not in the rainforest, but by seeing it at Opryland and asking Hollis Malone about it. When I got back to St. Thomas I planted several of those unusual trees on our resort’s property, giving us an even MORE exotic look to our landscape and increasing the value of our landscape to our guests. This year YOU might be able to make a similar discovery at Opryland and you’ll have the opportunity to ask Hollis about it. Not only will you be learning something new, you’ll be networking as well!

Your ability to meet and network with other outstanding professionals such as Hollis is another valuable benefit in attending the Annual Conference. To quote Tom Dew of Texas A&M University, “My staff and I enjoy the PGMS Conference for many reasons but the one that is most valuable to us is the networking opportunities. We have made many friends with some of the best professionals in the Green Industry. There is a wealth of knowledge available…if you know the right people to ask!”

To quote Mike Loftus again, “Regular contact with other professionals in the industry is a valuable resource. I have learned a great deal at the conference through visits with people with whom I have established professional relationships over the years.” Many people think of networking as a way to meet many people who can assist in furthering their own career goals (and that is true) but it is also a path to practical knowledge that can make you and your entire operation more efficient and effective.

Another important benefit of attending the conference is the Product Field Day, often called “the Equipment Demo.” This event is an opportunity for you the buyer to “field-test” the equipment that will be on display at the trade show. This is another opportunity to learn about what is available, what new features have been added to enhance a favorite piece of equipment, and to compare differences in makes and models of the same equipment.

George Van Haasteren says, “The Outdoor Demo really gives you everything in one big place to test out equipment that you are thinking of purchasing or finding one that you may have not been familiar with that will enhance your operation.” Ellen Newell of Utah State University says, “I have taken crewmembers to the conference several times. Each time they have seen and tried out a new piece of equipment that we have gone on to buy and successfully use.” Mike Loftus adds, “The Equipment Demo provides a first-hand opportunity to see various equipment in action, and the numerous vendors in one location provides an opportunity for ease of comparison.”

The Product Field Day dovetails nicely with the incredible Green Industry Expo, the largest tradeshow of its type in the Green Industry. This trade show gets bigger and better every year, and often by talking and networking with the vendors in the tradeshow I learn almost as much as I do in the educational sessions. My advice for best utilizing the GIE? Wear comfortable shoes, tour it systematically (row by row), and have a pocket full of your business cards. That way you won’t tire as easily, you won’t be overwhelmed by the sheer SIZE of this huge show, and you’ll have an easy way to get additional information from the vendors that interest you. Business cards also come in handy for the many prize drawings that you’ll encounter as you tour the show—last year I won a new leafblower in a drawing!

Remember, when you work the show, WORK it! Talk to as many people as you can and learn as much as you can. And while you’re there don’t forget that you are also a representative of PGMS. Please thank the vendors like Husqvarna and Club Car for being major sponsors of our Society. ALL the vendors in the show support PGMS simply by taking part in the GIE—thank them for being there. It’s a win-win situation for all of us.

Another extremely important benefit in attending the conference is what can be learned in the educational sessions. That’s where you’ll find the latest technical information available in the industry, often from the actual authority who initiated the research. Recent past seminars have included the latest research on turfgrass varieties, tree growth and pruning, drought-proofing your landscape, insect and disease issues, maintenance practices for athletic fields and much, much more.

Another important facet of the educational program is that it provides management skills and leadership training that will assist you in furthering your professional development. These sessions have included training in resolving conflict, effective leadership skills, how to become a Certified Grounds Manager and sessions on how to become an award-winning landscape manager.

In addition to professional development, issues of professional awareness have been introduced as well. These have included sports field liability, facility liability from the insurer’s perspective, OSHA requirements and compliance, and harassment and discrimination issues. As you can see, these sessions are designed to keep you informed not only on the latest technical issues but also on the latest emerging workplace issues. These sessions keep you AHEAD of the curve, and attendees truly become “Professionals on the Cutting Edge.”

Still another benefit in attending the conference is that it allows you to attend the Annual Business Meeting where new officers are elected by you the membership, and Society business is discussed and voted upon. Branch reports are given (always impressive to hear) as are financial and Board reports. This meeting allows you to really keep your finger on the pulse of the Society and allows your voice to be heard on a variety of issues. Make sure that your voice is heard through your attendance and your vote.

Finally, another outstanding benefit of the conference is the Annual Awards Banquet. This is an opportunity to take a “Grand Tour” of the most beautiful, well managed landscapes not only in the country, but in the world. This allows a view of many different types of sites, each with their own charms as well as challenges. See how “the best in the business” professionally manage their award-winning sites. The slide show is a rapid-fire display of color, beauty and talent that elicits the same types of “oohs-and-aahs” as a good fireworks show. Come prepared to be dazzled. The Society’s newly-elected leadership is also sworn-in at this time. This event is truly a highlight of the conference.

Sincerely, the conference is “all that and more.” It features a nationally-known motivational speaker each year. This year will feature an Olympic Gold Medalist! These speakers leave you energized and re-charged. You’ll look at challenges as “opportunities to excel” once you hear these speakers, and that’s momentum that you can build on once you return to your own operation, helping you to motivate your own employees.

To quote Todd Cochran of the Bergen County Department of Parks, “Going to the Annual Conference re-energizes me and gets me focused. My motivation increases in the weeks prior to the event and the residual effect of networking with other grounds professionals, attending the educational sessions, going to the tradeshow and the equipment demo last through the winter months. If I walk away from the Conference/Expo with one new idea, management skill, or tool that I can use in the coming year, it was worth going.” Come find out for yourself just how true those words are! What better place than the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville? See you there!