President's Message

Good Times in Hotlanta

By James Bade

The GCSAA conference in Hotlanta, well it wasn't exactly hot, actually it was cold, 28 degrees in the morning to maybe 50 in the afternoon. But when one is inside taking classes and seeing a trade-show, does it really matter what the temperature is outside? For me, psychologically, it is easier to be inside when it isn't sunny and 80 degrees outside. I heard about room reservation troubles, which is too bad, but other than that I thought the big show was fairly good. Especially considering the task of having to move from one city to another. I liked the way the Atlanta Convention Center is laid out for seminars and the trade show.

The GCSAA educational seminars are usually good because they bring in the experts. This year’s research sessions came with a take-home message making them worth your while. Being able to talk to national representatives about their products and seeing colleagues in that venue are worth the trip. So if the show were in Atlanta again, I would go. But hopefully it might be 38 degrees to about 65.

At one session (for argument sake let's say there were 100 people in the room) I counted at least 10 people from Minnesota. That is a high percentage and speaks well of our association and educational interests. The turn-out for the MGCSA evening night out was well attended, especially for being bumped two doors down to Barley's Billiards. Thanks for your participation and camaraderie. It is nice to see and talk to people in a casual setting.

Congratulations to the U of M Turf Club team who finished 6th out of 80 some teams in the collegiate turf bowl. Mere points separated the top few teams and they finished only a point or two behind the 5th place team. Great job students and teachers. Plus, a thank-you goes to Kevin Clunis, CGCS for being our Chapter Delegate and taking on all the extra duties that comes with it.

And one last story from Atlanta. On my way to the airport I ran into a vendor at the subway station. The salesperson commented on the fact that people were so well-dressed compared to other trade shows. Doesn't that speak well of our profession and all that we do? What an impression the GCSAA conference left with this first-time vendor. So it does make a difference when we wear our appropriate attire to meetings that we attend. Let's keep up the good work and strong image.

Edification is not a term we hear too often any more. What if we all took the time to build some one up or encouraged them. Edification literally means to instruct or improve someone else's disposition. If you feel there is anything you can do to help build up the MGCSA through volunteering, seek out any of the committee chair people. Right now we are looking for a venue for the ‘06 Championship and Annual Banquet. Furthermore, the Conference and Education Committee is in high gear for next year’s Green Expo, GCSAA seminars and 2007 March Mini. If you can do your part to establish the MGCSA as an industry leader, it will be greatly appreciated and noticed.

For further information and scheduling visit mgcsa.org. Right now there are some links to Incident Response Plans and other regulatory issues. The mgcsa.org website is a great and helpful tool to keep you connected with all that is going on and worthy to be marked as one of your favorites.

Edifying with you,
James Bade