The GCSAA Education Conference continues to be a vital resource for the golf industry as 7,229 seats were sold for the 107 seminars. That compares favourably to the 7,329 seats filled last year in Orlando, despite GCSAA officials having to relocate the event twice due to hurricanes last fall.
Content for the seminars focused on professional development, including personal skills (finances, time management, quality of work/family life); leadership (teamwork, professionalism); communications (administration, management, scientific content, outreach); operations management (financial management, resource allocation, regulatory compliance); and resource utilization (staff, materials, equipment, golf course). An additional 50 hours of panel discussions, sessions and forums that touched on such subjects as diversity, media/public relations, environmental compliance, etc., were offered.
“Continuing education is not an option for golf course superintendents – it is a necessity,” said GCSAA president, Sean Hoolehan. “Not only is it important for their professional development, but for the success of the golf facility as well. I believe the quality of the programs and the number of attendees is a testament to the importance golf course superintendents and employers place on GCSAA programs.”
The GCSAA Education Seminar Program has been presented in partnership with Jacobsen, a Textron Company, since 1996.
The conference welcomed leaders from all aspects of the golf industry as visitors, participants and contributors to the seminars, forums sessions and special meetings. “The diversity of attendees reflects on the value of the event from the industry perspective and the desire to integrate the industry to an even greater degree,” Hoolehan said. “The convention halls were not only filled with golf course superintendents, but also owners, managers, golf professionals, architects, builders, government officials, golf association representatives, members of the environmental community and other interested individuals.”
The 2007 GCSAA Education Conference will be held 19-24th February in Anaheim, California.
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