The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) School of Grounds Management (SGM) is designed to provide grounds managers with the hard-to-find opportunity to gain knowledge, ask questions and network with their peers. These interactive programs feature education seminars on must-know topics as well as a pre-conference field trip and access to the GIE+EXPO, the green industry’s only national trade show.
Taking place Oct. 16-19 in Louisville, Ky., this year’s event will feature 14 education sessions, three breakfasts, a field trip to Bernheim Arboretum and access to GIE+EXPO’s more than 850 vendors and 20 acres of outdoor demonstration area.
Start planning your conference with the schedule below.
Oct. 16
7 – 11 a.m. | Board of Directors Meeting (invitation only)
11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Registration Desk Open (Field Trip Attendees only)
11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Pre-Conference Field Trip Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
5:45 – 6 p.m. | First Timer Orientation
6 – 7:30 p.m. | Welcoming Reception
8 p.m. | The Crashers
Oct. 17
7 – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast of Champions – Darren Virassammy
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Registration Desk Open
8:45 – 10:15 a.m. | EDUCATION SESSION I (choose one)
- “Demystifying Two-Wire Technology in Irrigation Systems” – Lynda Wightman
- “The Electrical Revolution: Transitioning Your Commercial Operations from Gas to Electric” – Dan Mabe and Luke Massman-Johnson
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. | EDUCATION SESSION II (choose one)
- “Green and Natural Spaces: Long-term Management is the Key” – Jack Pizzo
- “Amenity Plant Appraisal, Understand the Profession” – Marty Shaw, RCA
1:30 – 3 p.m. | GIE+EXPO Keynote – Dr. Robert Ballard
3 – 7 p.m. | GIE+EXPO (indoor only)
6:30 – 7:15 p.m. | Certified Grounds Manager Reception (Must be a CGM)
8 p.m. | Kelleigh Bannen followed by headliner Colt Ford
Oct. 18
7:30 – 9 a.m. | Annual Business Meeting and Breakfast
8:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Registration Desk Open
9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | GIE+EXPO
9:45 – 11:15 a.m. | EDUCATION SESSION 3 (choose one)
- “The Trials, Tribulations and Successes of Maintaining Collegiate and K-12 Athletic Fields: Panel” – Philip Dierker, CGM; Joe Kovolyan, CGM, CSFM; Kevin Mercer, CGM, CSFM, LICM; and Don Savard, CGM, CSFM. Fred Kester as moderator.
- “Weather Emergency Preparation: Planning, Training and Communication is the Key to Success” – Matt Bailey
1 – 2:15 p.m. | EDUCATION SESSION 4 (choose one)
- “Oklahoma State University Campus Beautification Initiatives” – Steve Dobbs
- “Increasing Soil Health with BioChar and Keeping Your Budget in the Black” – Mark Mann
2:30 – 3:45 p.m. | EDUCATION SESSION 5
- “A Memorial for Remembering” – Matt Gart
6 – 9 p.m. | PGMS Annual Awards Dinner (requires separate ticket)
8 p.m. | Mackenzie Porter followed by headliner Jana Kramer
Oct. 19
7:15 – 8:15 a.m. | Networking Breakfast – “On the Border: Managing One of the World’s Most Unique Gardens”
9 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | GIE+EXPO (Outdoor Area closes at 1:00 p.m.)
9 – 10:15 a.m. EDUCATION SESSION 6 (pick one)
- “Utilizing the NFL’s Field Certification Program to Document the Effectiveness of Your Maintenance Program” – Dr. Andrew S. McNitt
- “Time Management: Who’s Got Time for That?” – Matt Goodell
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. | Education Session 7
- “Their Success is Our Success – Bee Campus USA” – Mike Oxendine
To learn more about the show and conference, check the event page.