Message from the President - November/December 2022

by Gary Bartley

Summer is over and wow, we are now into winter!  Damn, how did I miss fall?  Oh well, Turf Managers are nothing but adaptive so all is good.  I hope that everyone had a chance to enjoy the late summer run before we were brought back to reality.

WCTA President, Gary Bartley (left), thanks Travis Olson for his role in hosting the 2022 summer field day.

Speaking of reality, and I hate to say it already, but now is a good time to look ahead to the New Year.   Part of those plans should include participating in our 59th Annual Conference and Trade Show, taking place at the River Rock Casino Resort, February 15-17, 2023.

Registration has opened early this year for a few reasons.  First off, we want to give everyone plenty of lead time to promote the vast array of educational opportunities to their managers and decision makers.  Especially worth considering are four pre-conference seminars, including new ones for Irrigation Troubleshooting and Reel Grinding, along with the popular ‘CEC Point Central’ and special guest, Dr. John Sorochan from the University of Tennessee presenting on 'Sustainable Strategies for Reduced Turf Inputs'.

Second, the new reality for event production is that attendance numbers are needed by the venue a month earlier than in the past.  This means we are asking that all delegates pre-register, ideally before Christmas, however payment is not required at the time of registration and instead, you will be invoiced.  This change, which we think is an improvement to the process in many ways, will help staff get firm numbers to the venue while relieving any cancellation or budget anxiety for our delegates who may be booking earlier than in previous years.

Finally, both WCTA member and non-members alike have come to rely heavily on our conference to provide the level of Education, Advocacy and ongoing Research that helps keep Turf Managers at the leading edge.  For the association itself, the show is a major component of our revenue generation and after a couple of missed years, it’s important our largest annual undertaking is well supported and successful.  

With that, and after an extended period where face time has been limited to digital, I would like to ask that you commit to getting back together live and in-person at the River Rock this coming February and get your registrations in asap! 

As my President’s term winds down, I want to thank WCTA members for their tremendous confidence in the association and our staff for their tireless efforts in keeping things moving forward.  I would also like to recognize our dedicated, volunteer Board of Directors who as a team, never wavered in their commitment to the association throughout this very difficult period – thank you!

If you are interested in giving back to the Association while elevating your own career, I can suggest becoming a volunteer Director.  In my years on being on the Board, I have found it amazing how a group of individuals from different areas and jobs can get together and be on the same page when it comes to the desire to continue the path of the WCTA and look ahead at future direction.    

Please reach out to Jerry or Past President, Travis Olson for more information on being a WCTA Director, I highly recommend it for those who wish to give back!