The Greatest Show for Turf
It's that time again. When colossal hordes of turf managers ascend somewhere, hopefully sunny and warm, during the coldest part of February for the annual Golf Industry Show. This year's show host is the ever-hospitable, Orlando, Florida.
In all honesty, there's no other single event that provides such an abundant amount of opportunities for superintendents, distributors and manufacturers. The GIS always delivers the best quality and quantity of educational seminars on a wide variety of valuable topics. That, alone, puts the GIS at the top of the list of "must attend" shows during our "off season".
Even if you don't have the available time to take any seminars, which would be disappointing, the two days of the trade show offer everyone the chance to visit with industry suppliers and fellow colleagues. For many of us, the GIS presents the only place that we typically get to see most of the companies we buy products from and offers us a chance to ask direct questions to people we don't normally see while working on our courses and facilities. That's pretty difficult to put a price on!
Let's also not forget all the chapter activities held during the GIS. These have really become valuable social events that, many times, include people we don't get to interact with. More and more chapters have begun to hold these events at very cool places by reserving the entire venue for the whole night. These are certainly not to be missed.
For me, I know there are certain colleagues that I only see at the GIS. Many of whom work overseas or in a part of the country I simply don't get to visit on a regular basis. I always look forward to seeing them and this dimension has become a real value added feature of attending the show.
No matter what your reasons are for attending, I hope everyone has the opportunity to attend this year in Orlando next month. I'd also encourage anyone who has an interest to stop by the LebanonTurf booth, #823, and spin the prize wheel, vote for the Dog of the Year and visit with us during your time on the trade show floor. I hope to see you all there!